Support and Donate

We will always have STEM with us. Some things will drop out of the public eye and will go away, but there will always be science, engineering, and technology. And there will always, always be mathematics.  Katherine Johnson

What will your donation support?

STARS to STEM, Inc. has developed a comprehensive business plan that outlines five years of budgetary needs. Start-up costs include the following:  

Ongoing fundraising is needed to sustain the administrative costs, other essentials for upgrading the room, and to support planned programs and events. 

Mail your donation

STARS to STEM, Inc. is seeking donations to support our organization's efforts to renovate the East Lyme Planetarium and renew it as a 21st Century learning experience.  

We are currently accepting checks, paid to the order of STARS to STEM, Inc.

     Mail your donation to:

STARS to STEM, Inc.
PO Box 616
Niantic, CT 06357

*If you wish to make an anonymous donation, please indicate that request on the note section of your check.

*To make this an anonymous donation, add that request as a note when entering your PayPal or Credit Card information.

PayPal - Credit Card - Debit Card payments

We are happy to add the ability to make a credit card or PayPal donation through our website.  The service is provided by PayPal, so you can make a secure and encrypted transaction through your account or a major credit card.  We receive an email when PayPal records your transaction and we complete the process with a  transfer of funds to our bank account.  The funds are available to us the next business day.

Please note:  PayPal charges nonprofits a 2.2% plus $.30 per transaction fee.  Check with your tax advisor about your individual tax-deductible situation.

Donate through Guidestar, Network for Good, or Facebook

Our organization is registered through Guidestar, an online database that lists all nonprofits approved by the IRS.  This website publishes information about the organizations and offers a donation service to its members. You will need a Guidestar account to make a donation through them. 

Another way to donate is through Network for Good, a non-profit that manages the donations for Guidestar and other companies. The fee our organization pays for Guidestar or Network for Good transactions is 5%.  It can take up to 60 days until the funds are deposited to our bank account.

Donations made through FaceBook are also managed through Network for Good.  The transactions can take up to 90 days to reach our bank account. The fee to us is 5% of your donation.

Contact Diane at president@starstostem.org or purchase directly from Sign Craft in Niantic.

The elections are over and your yard may look bare, but don't despair STARS To STEM, Inc. is here!

You can purchase one of these colorful STARS to STEM Planetarium yard signs for $15.  100% from each sign will go directly to phase two of our project, OPERATIONS. The monies raised will be used for the purchase of a laptop and programming software. This will enable our planetarium technology specialists to start designing lessons before our projector arrives. Signs are 16" × 16" and can be picked up in Niantic. Checks made payable to STARS To STEM, Inc. Please put "Yard Sign" in the memo.

S2S would like to thank Sign Craft and the entire Wilson family for your support since day one!

Thanks in advance for your support we are making small steps to that GIANT leap in restoring the planetarium at East Lyme High School!

Custom Apparel!  Want to support STARS To STEM while wearing custom apparel? Visit Niantic Apparel and order your garment, many sizes available. 25% of all purchases will be donated to STARS to STEM, Inc.

Other ways to support

ANNUAL FUND

A pledge to our annual fund allows STARS to STEM, Inc. to continue to develop new and innovative programs in STEM education. Annual fund gifts can be made in cash, credit card via PayPal (pending), or by check.  For donations of non-cash gifts, please consult the Board of Directors for appropriateness. Contact us admin@starstostem.org to pledge a yearly donation.


MATCHING GIFTS

Many employers will match all or a portion of your contribution. Retirees and spouses may also qualify for this program. Check with your company’s Human Resources department for participation.


PLANNED GIVING

Through planned gifts, you may be able to make a greater impact. In addition, tax benefits may be available by supporting STARS to STEM through philanthropic efforts.


SCHEDULE AN EVENT

Once we have completed our start-up phase, individuals and corporations can request customized presentations for their families or staff.  Contact admin@starstostem.org for more information.


SPECIAL FUNDRAISING EVENTS

Planned fundraising efforts include special events hosted locally and open to all.  Events are just one way of sustaining the work of our organization.


INKIND CONTRIBUTIONS

STARS to STEM, Inc. continually seeks support from community experts who can contribute their time and expertise to our overall goal.  Local businesses can help by providing venues for events, donating administrative materials, or assisting with the room restoration, for example. Please consider joining our team to indicate how you can help.


Join our team

If you would like to become a member of the Board of Directors, an Officer, or a member of a committee, please contact us by completing this form.

*STARS to STEM, Inc., is a Connecticut nonprofit corporation in good standing and registered with the Department of Consumer Protection as a charitable organization (CHR.0062295).  STARS to STEM was incorporated on May 4, 2018 and is tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) with Public Charity status 170(b)(1)(A)(vi).  Please contact your tax consultant regarding your eligibility for personal tax deductions.