Ways to Give
Our donors are helping to transform K-12 Education through Science.
Your support is what makes the Smithsonian Science Education Center exceptional. Find out about the many ways you can help:
Commemorative Donations: Honor Someone by Making a Truly Meaningful Gift
If you would like to make a donation to the Smithsonian Science Education Center in honor of, or in memory of someone, please click here and make your donation online.
A ‘Gift Recognition’ drop down menu is located under the donation amount where you can designate a person to be honored or memorialized by your contribution. Here you can customize an eCard to the individual your gift is in honor or in memory of.
Securities, Stock, Bonds, and Mutual Fund Shares
A gift of securities owned more than one year can often be the most attractive and financially beneficial way to support the SSEC. A charitable deduction may be taken for a portion of the donor's adjusted gross income, using the fair market value of the stock on the gift date. Donors generally do not incur any capital gains tax when they donate appreciated securities. In addition to stock, you may donate bonds and mutual fund shares to the SSEC. If you have questions about a donation, email Inola Walston or call 202-633-2911.
If you are planning a donation of securities, stock, bonds or mutual fund shares, please notify us, prior to making the gift.
Smithsonian Science Education Center + Corporate Partners = A Value Proposition
The Smithsonian Science Education Center is a staunch believer in the strength of partnerships and collaborative efforts to transform K–12 Education Through Science™. We work closely with our corporate partners, which include small businesses, multi-national corporations, and everything in between, to leverage the strength of private enterprise for public good.
If you are interested in exploring a partnership with SSEC, please contact Inola Walston or call 202-633-2911.
Learn more about corporate giving
Planned Gifts
There are many ways to make a planned gift to the SSEC, taking into account your investment goals and your charitable interests. Find out more about giving strategies that will allow you to leave a legacy to K-12 Education while possibly enhancing your, and your family's, future financial well-being. Please email Inola Walston or call 202-633-2911 for more information on the various planned giving options available.
Double or Triple Your Support
Did you know your donation could make an even greater impact on the Smithsonian Science Education Center? Many employers (or their parent companies) support their current and retired employees with programs that match charitable contributions. Matching gift programs allow individuals and companies to work together to support of our mission of transforming K-12 Education Through Science™ in collaboration with communities across the globe.
To find out if your employer is a participant in the matching gifts program, please email Inola Walston or call 202-633-2911.
Donor Advised Funds and Individual Retirement Accounts
The SSEC welcomes your gifts from Donor Advised Funds and Individual Retirement Accounts.
Please use the form below to select your Donor Advised Fund and begin the process of recommending a gift to the Smithsonian. Please make sure your name and The Smithsonian Science Education Center are located on the check or supporting documentation.
Qualifying donors can make direct transfers to the SSEC from an IRA without incurring income tax. Up-to-date information regarding IRA contributions is available on the IRS website and from your IRA provider.
All Smithsonian Institution units share the same tax ID (53-0206027), your gift will be processed faster if your IRA representative includes the following information with the distribution: Smithsonian Science Education Center, your name and address.
Endowments
An endowment to the SSEC is a fund that you establish to provide support to the center in perpetuity. A percentage of the earnings from the fund is distributed to the center annually, allowing us to continue our important work while the fund keeps growing. It may be created with cash gifts, pledges, and/or appreciated stock or property.
Gifts can be made during your lifetime or through your estate and funds may be added at any time. You may create your own named endowment, to honor anyone you choose, or add to one that has already been established. Establishing a named endowment provides a way for family and friends to support the center at the same time they honor the person for whom the endowment is named.
Our Donors
The Smithsonian Science Education Center is honored to recognize its major donors, who have made generous contributions to support the Center’s mission to commemorate, educate, and inspire.
