What makes ART FOR A PURPOSE unique? Unlike traditional commercial galleries, ART FOR A PURPOSE is a nonprofit. Unlike other nonprofits, it exists to assist other charitable organizations, rather than serving one specified constituency or group. The process is simple: The gallery accepts art directly from donors, sells the art, and distributes the proceeds to charities for their unrestricted use. Donors receive acknowledgements of their donations from the gallery at the time of their donations and they may recommend charities to benefit from the sale of their donated works. Purchasers are also often permitted to recommend a charity to benefit from the art they buy. Any person may be a donor and any legitimate charitable organization within the United States that is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions may be a recipient of distributions. The gallery’s founder, Dr. Midge Smith, bought her first piece of art—a modestly priced print—as a young grad student. That initial purchase inspired a lifelong love of collecting art and learning about the artists producing the works. Smith has now channeled her passion for art into the unique philanthropic mission at ART FOR A PURPOSE. ART FOR A PURPOSE seeks to inspire people to make art a part of their lives—from those who are just starting to collect art and may have limited funds or space, to those who have matured in their interests and may be seasoned art collectors. The gallery features art in all styles, media, sizes, and price levels.
