Patrons of the American Society of International Law share a special commitment to the future of international law. Through their generous participation, they give back to their chosen profession and help the Society respond to what many consider an educational imperative - to foster wider knowledge of international law. Patrons donate $10,000 or more to the ASIL Endowment for International Law, the income from which supports Society activity to meet the challenges of international law education in the 21st Century.
"When I reflected
on what the Society has meant to me personally and to our profession,
I wanted to become a Patron. No organization does so much for international
law and the many areas of human endeavor it touches."
John Arthur Boyd
Long Beach, California, ASIL member since 1971
The Patrons Program
More than 100 people have become Patrons since the program
began in 1961 (see accompanying list). Two-thirds have done
so since 1999, when the program became more active. Patrons may
take up to four years to fulfill their financial commitment to the
Society and its endowment. In appreciation of their generosity,
the Society lists their names at the front of each issue of the
American Journal of International Law.
Patrons also have the option to waive membership dues for
the rest of their lives, although some prefer to continue submitting
dues payments. Periodic benefits that Patrons receive include invitations to special events, such as the Patrons Reception at
the ASIL Annual Meeting.
A Note for Patrons: Taxes,
Dues, and Your Gift
An ASIL Patron no longer has to pay membership dues during his or
her lifetime. For U.S. taxpayers, this benefit represents "material
value" provided in exchange for their gift, which means that
a portion of their $10,000 gift cannot be considered tax deductible
as a charitable donation (although it may remain deductible as a
business expense). The ASIL has calculated the material, net present
value of a Patron's future membership benefits to be $1024.
U.S. Patrons who are ASIL members and elect to continue paying dues may deduct 100% of their gift as a charitable donation.
Citizens of other countries who become Patrons -sixteen have done so - will need to consult their advisors to determine if all or part of their payment is deductible (e.g., usually as a business expense, such as for a lifetime subscription to the American Journal of International Law).
