Rockefeller Archive Center Collection Policy

Collecting Scope

The Rockefeller Archive Center’s collecting efforts focus on documenting the history of philanthropy and other efforts to work on behalf of the public good. The RAC’s overall collecting strategy enables us to document the ongoing evolution of philanthropy in its use of different legal entities, corporate structures, and financial mechanisms as well as to continue to document the work and activities of more traditional forms of philanthropy already represented in our holdings.

As we engage in our collecting activities, we understand that we have a responsibility to do so in a culturally competent way that is consistent with the RAC’s Mission, Vision, and Values, with archival standards and ethics, and with our commitment to free and independent inquiry.

The RAC takes a content-based approach to collecting, which means that our collecting strategy is format agnostic. We understand that the history of philanthropy is documented in a variety of formats including but not limited to paper documents, electronic and born-digital records, photographic media, audio, and moving images. As we collect, we always consider and balance the long-term preservation and storage needs of the materials being considered and our ability to be good stewards of the totality of collections in our custody.

The RAC only collects non-unique published resources in a limited way consistent with this Collection Policy and the RAC Library Collection Management Policy.

Since we are primarily an archival repository and not a museum, we do not collect or accept artifacts or artwork.

Archival Appraisal Prior to Acquisition

The RAC uses the established practice of archival appraisal to evaluate and determine if records are archival and appropriate for acquisition.

Archival records are those records, regardless of format, that:

1. Are no longer actively used by the records creator (individual or organization) in the day-to-day course of business for the purpose for which the records were created,
2. Can and will be open and made available for public use at a reasonable point in time,
3. Are an authentic record of the activities documented, and
4. Have enduring historical or informational value within scope of the RAC’s collecting strategy.

Once materials have been appraised and determined to be appropriate for acquisition, the records must be legally transferred to the RAC through an agreement establishing clear and actionable ownership, usage, and access terms. The records will then be physically transferred and accessioned into the RAC’s collections and declared to be in our custody and under our stewardship.

Reappraisal and Deaccessioning

As part of its commitment to excellence in collections stewardship, the RAC evaluates and strengthens the integrity and cohesion of its archival collections through the process of Reappraisal.

Reappraisal can sometimes result in deaccessioning, or the process by which the RAC permanently removes previously accessioned materials from its holdings. Deaccessioning is an important tool of ethical collection stewardship and is done in accordance with the RAC’s Deaccession Policy.

Approved: October 31, 2026