Frequently Asked Membership Questions

I did not get my Explore! guide this month.
Please contact Audience and Member Services at (617)300-3300 (M-F; 9am-5pm) or email us to have a new one sent to you.

I need my Explore! guide sent to a different address. How do I do that?
Please contact Audience and Member Services to have your guide sent to a different address.

Why can't I find a program on my Explore! guide?
Our guides are prepared about a month in advance and don't always reflect last minute changes to our scheduling. Please check out our online schedule here for the most up to date programming schedule.

I received two Explore! guides this month.
You might have two accounts. Please contact Audience and Member Services at (617)300-3300 to have your accounts merged to one.

I would like to receive two Explore! guides this month.
If you are donating $75 a year or above you are eligible to recieve two copies of Explore! One can be sent to you and another to a different address. Please contact Audience and Member Services and we'll be happy to assist you.

Can I have the Explore! guide emailed to me instead of mailed?
Please contact Audience and Member Services to sign you up for the e-guide.

How can I tell when my membership expires?
On the front of the magazine, your expiration date is printed above your name. If you see a problem with it, or have any questions about your account, please contact Audience and Member Services.

How do I update my payment information online?
To update your payment information, visit our update page here. To update the payment information on your sustaining donation, call our Member Hotline at 866-721-4234.

I cannot locate any membership information online. How can I see how much I am donating each month?
At this time, myGBH is strictly a streaming service. For membership inquiries, please contact Audience and Member Services at 617-300-3300.

Are my donations tax deductible?
Yes! 100% of your donations are tax deductible. If you are looking for an acknowledgment for your car donation, please contact our Car Auction line at 855-275-9424.

I didn't get an acknowledgment for my recent donation.
We are very sorry for our error. Please contact Audience and Member Services at 617-300-3300 (M-F; 9am-5pm) to be sent a new one. You can also request one at memberservices@wgbh.org.

When will my tax document be sent out?
Tax letters are sent to members at the end of January. You should receive yours by mid-February. If you do not receive one, please contact Audience and Member Services and we will be happy to issue you another.

I'm in Canada, are my donations still tax deductible?
GBH is not a registered charitable organization in Canada, so unfortunately your GBH contributions are not tax deducible. You will still receive an official gift acknowledgement letter at the end of January/early February. If you do not receive one and would like one, please contact Audience and Member Services.

How do I keep my name and address from being shared with other organizations?
If you would not like GBH to share your name and address with other non-profit organizations please call member services at (617) 300-5400, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

How do I get my company to match my donation to GBH?
If you work for one of our matching gift companies, you can join the more than 7,000 GBH members who take an extra step to support public broadcasting. Participating in your company's matching gift program is as easy.

• Step 1- Contact your Human Resources Office for eligibility requirements and to obtain a matching gift form. Many companies match the gifts of retirees, spouses, and outside directors.
• Step 2- Fill out the employee portion of the form. Send the form to GBH, PO Box 55875, Boston, MA 02205.
  
  • Contact us if your company isn't listed here, or if you have any questions, please call the GBH Matching Gift Office, 617-300-3300, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, email us at matchinggifts@wgbh.org. A list of our current matching gift companies, please visit our  Matching Gift Page.

There was a Dollar-for-Dollar gift drive today and I missed the window. Can I donate and still get my gift matched?
Please contact Audience and Member Services at (617) 300-5400 to see if your gift can still be matched.

I want to renew my membership online, where can I do that?
You can renew your membership here.

What are the different membership levels?
We have a few different membership options that are outlined below. You can compare memberships and renew online here. When renewing, you can select a monthly or one time renewal as well as where you would like your donation to be allocated.

There is no place to enter my membership ID, how will you know its me?
We use contact information to line up donations with members accounts. Any questions about your donation, please feel free to contact Audience and Member Services.

I want to update my payment information for my membership, how do I do that?
You can update your information here. You can also do so over the phone by contacting Audience and Member Services or calling our toll free 24 Hour Member Hotline at 866-721-4234.

I want to send my gift in via check. Where do I send that?
Please send all checks to the attention below:
GBH
PO Box 55875
Boston, MA 02205

Is the website secure?
Yes! The URL at the top of the webpage has an https security tag.

There is no place for me to check online to see when my membership is up for renewal. How will I know?
You will receive a letter in the mail about a month before your membership is up reminding you to renew. If you receive the explore guide each month, the date is on the front as well.

I just renewed online/via mail and I received a renewal notice. Why?
Our renewal notices are prepared about a month in advance. To find out when your membership is active until, check out the label of your Explore! guide. You can also contact Audience and Member Services.

Please contact Audience and Member Services 617-300-3300 (M-F; 9am-5pm) with any questions or concerns regarding your membership.

Thank you for your generous support of GBH!

What are the benefits of donating my car to GBH?
GBH benefits by receiving a cash donation to fund our new and existing programs and increase community awareness through local events.

You benefit by being able to reduce your taxable income when taxes are itemized. Plus, you avoid the costs associated with selling your car. No need to pay for advertising, no loss of privacy and possible security risk, and no need to pay for vehicle registration, insurance, and repairs to keep your car in running condition while you wait for a buyer.

Do you only accept cars for donation?
Many types of motor vehicles are accepted including boats, motorcycles, trucks, and cars.

What does GBH do with donated vehicles?
The vehicles are sold at a private auction. The funds from vehicle donations are used by GBH to support and produce quality educational and entertainment programs as well as to support our outreach efforts in our community.

Does my car have to be running to qualify for donation?
In some cases we can take your car, running or not. However, it must have an engine and be towable.

What paperwork do I need?
The only paperwork needed is a signed, clear title. Have your title with you when you call in your donation. Please note: a clear title indicates the title is in the name of the donor without a lien.

What if I lost the title?
You will need to get a duplicate title and call us when you have received it. We cannot pick up your vehicle if you do not have the title.

Log onto Mass.gov or call 617-351-4500 for information on how to obtain a duplicate title in Massachusetts, or contact your state registry of motor vehicles department. Unfortunately GBH cannot help you in this process.

What if my car won't pass the state inspection?
We can accept vehicles without a state inspection sticker or current registration as long as there is a clear title.

Do I need a smog certificate in order to donate my car?
For states that require smog certificates or safety inspections, you may donate your vehicle without these documents.

Will I get a tax receipt for my donation?
Yes, our driver will issue a receipt at the time of pickup. This is not your final tax receipt unless the sale of your vehicle does not exceed $500. This initial acknowledgment will indicate your name as well as the year, make, model, and condition of the car you are donating. It will be your only receipt if your vehicle sells for less than $500.

If you did not receive your tax documentation, please contact IAA at (855)275-9424.

What can I claim as a deduction?
If the claimed value of the donated vehicle exceeds $500, the taxpayer is limited to the gross proceeds of the sale.

An IRS Form 1098-C, Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes will be mailed to you within 30 days of the sale stating the amount of gross proceeds received from your car, provided your vehicle sold for more than $500. This will be your tax receipt for your charitable contribution.

How is the value determined on the vehicle donated?
The value is determined by the gross proceeds raised from the sale of the donated vehicle.

What if my car is valued at more than $5,000?
The value you may claim will be the amount of gross proceeds received from your vehicle.

When is the latest time I can donate a vehicle to GBH and qualify for a tax deduction in the current tax year?
Vehicle donations committed to GBH by midnight of Dec. 31 are considered as donations for that tax year, even if the vehicle is picked up and sold after Jan. 1.

Do I have to be with the vehicle at the time of pickup?
No. Special arrangements can be made by calling our representative.

Do I pay for the towing?
No, there is no charge to you for the towing.

Do I become a GBH member by donating my car? If so, what level of membership will be offered?
You will become a member after your car is sold at auction and proceeds are credited to GBH. Your membership level will be directly in alignment with the amount for which your car sold.
If the car is sold for $300 or more, you will become a Leadership Circle member
If the car is sold for $150 you will be eligible to be an insider
If the car is sold for $60, you will receive a basic membership
Your membership will be a one-year membership. It will take approximately six weeks to process your membership from the time you receive notice that your car has sold at auction.

I donated my car several weeks ago but have not received my GBH membership yet. When should I expect to receive it?
You should receive a benefits package approximately six weeks after you have been notified that your vehicle sold at auction. This will include an Explore! guide as well as information about how to activate PerksConnect, our member discount program.

Walk-In Public Tours
Public tours will be offered every Wednesday at 11am. This tour is recommended for ages 16 and up. The 45-minute tour begins in the Metcalf Lobby at One Guest Street, Brighton. Small groups (five adults or fewer) are welcome to join this tour. If you have a large group (six people or more), please schedule a group tour.
Please note: We recommend calling in advance to confirm the tour is scheduled; please contact 617-300-4211during normal business hours. If a tour is not being offered due to a special circumstance (holiday, weather, etc.), this will likely be posted on our website.

Group Tours (Adult/Student)
Group tours are available Mondays and Thursdays, 11am-2pm. These are for parties of six-thirty adults, please fill out our group tour request form. Reservations are required at least 4-6 weeks in advance, and confirmations are sent by email.

Children’s Tours
We are not currently offering children's tours. We offer sporadic family tours for small groups. If you'd like to be contacted when we offer our next family tour, please email studiotours@wgbh.org. At this time, we are not offering special tours for girl scouts, boy scouts, brownies, or cub scouts. If you would like to take a tour as a family to receive a patch or badge, please reference the public tours. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate a full troop on our public tours.

Directions and Parking
Free parking is available at GBH, located at One Guest Street in Brighton. Get driving directions and parking information.

Accessibility
GBH's studios are ADA compliant and wheelchair accessible. If you (or your group) have special needs/requests, please note them on a group tour request form. We will be happy to accommodate you.

Cameras/Cell Phones
While photography is permitted on tours, we ask that you do not photograph staff/on-air hosts while they are working. If you do bring in your cell phone, please turn off or set to vibrate upon entrance into the building.

Cancellations
If you need to cancel your tour or are running late/early, please contact our GBH Studio Tour Team at 617-300-4211. Cancellations must be received at least 48 hours in advance.

Become a GBH Volunteer
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with GBH! First, you'll need to fill out the GBH volunteer form.

Once your survey is completed and submitted, the GBH volunteer manager will be in contact with you.

Please contact GBH Audience & Member Services with any questions, concerns, or feedback at 617-300-3300 (M-F; 9-5).

How can I find out what events are happening at GBH?
Find out what’s happening at GBH’s studios and in the community on our Events calendar.

Typically, thank-you gifts arrive within 2-3 weeks. However, sometimes thank-you gifts go on backorder due to lack of inventory. If your thank you gift is on backorder, we'll let you know when you make your donation. If your thank you gift is placed on backorder after you make a donation, we will notify you via email.

It is often possible to receive a thank-you gift from recent pledge drives. Contact us and a representative will let you know if an item is still available.