Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required for all visitors ages 12+. Masks are required for all visitors 2+. Vaccines recommended. Plan your visit
Choose the support level, premium membership benefits, and exclusive opportunities that are right for you.
In addition to all the benefits of membership, you'll enjoy:
The fair market value of goods and services received is $146.
If you choose to give through your donor-advised fund, then please remember tangible benefits or services may not be extended. Please consult your fund advisor with any questions.
In addition to Innovator-level benefits, you'll also enjoy:
$5,000 and above
$2,500–$4,999
The fair market value of goods and services received is $146.
If you choose to give through your donor-advised fund, then please remember tangible benefits or services may not be extended. Please consult your fund advisor with any questions.
As a donor in the Director's Circle, your generous support directly impacts millions of people—young and old, locally and around the world—who benefit from our programs, exhibits, and educational resources.
In addition to all Catalyst Circle and Innovator-level benefits, you'll enjoy:
$10,000 and above
The fair market value of goods and services received is $146.
If you choose to give through your donor-advised fund, then please remember tangible benefits or services may not be extended. Please consult your fund advisor with any questions.
As a donor in the Leadership Circle, you join a distinguished group of Exploratorium patrons. In addition to knowing your gift supports innovative, hands-on, and inquiry-based education, you will enjoy exclusive privileges when you visit the Exploratorium, including priority access to museum programs and thought leaders, and personalized concierge services.
In addition to all Director's Circle, Catalyst Circle, and Innovator-level benefits, you'll enjoy:
$50,000 and above
$25,000–$49,999
The fair market value of goods and services received is $146.
If you choose to give through your donor-advised fund, then please remember tangible benefits or services may not be extended. Please consult your fund advisor with any questions.
As an Exploratorium Trust donor, you join a distinguished group of Exploratorium patrons. Counted among our most generous donors, members of the Trust empower the Exploratorium to better carry out its mission of empowering people to think for themselves—both locally and globally. Your insight, inspiration, and engagement are essential ingredients to our success.
In addition to the benefits of all other donor levels, Exploratorium Trust donors also receive:
The fair market value of goods and services received is $146.
If you choose to give through your donor-advised fund, then please remember tangible benefits or services may not be extended. Please consult your fund advisor with any questions.
Our society increasingly collects data sets so massive they're hard for the public to comprehend. The Living Liquid project develops computer-generated visualizations that allow visitors to explore and ask questions about scientific data on the plankton and predators that populate our oceans.
Ignite curiosity for future generations and join the Oppenheimer Circle when you generously include the Exploratorium in your estate plans. Planned gifts provide a stable foundation for our future and can offer you significant tax or lifetime income advantages.
How to give: To discuss your planned gift, please email us at development@exploratorium.edu or call 415.528.4866.
Cash gifts by check or credit card are the simplest and most common way to support the Exploratorium and allow you to help now. If you itemize your income tax deductions, your gift is deductible up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income (or as currently allowed by law). If you are unable to deduct the full gift amount in one year, you may carry the unused deduction forward on your tax returns for up to five additional years.
Appreciated assets, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate, can be an excellent way to provide support. By contributing appreciated assets you receive a double benefit: you avoid tax on the appreciation and you receive a charitable income tax deduction on the value of the assets. Because of this potential double tax savings, a gift of appreciated securities usually has a lower after-tax cost than an equivalent gift of cash. If you itemize your income tax deductions, your gift is deductible up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income (or as currently allowed by law). If you are unable to deduct the full gift amount in one year, you may carry the unused deduction forward on your tax returns for up to five additional years.
Securities, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, are easily contributed. Generally, if your securities have decreased in value, they should be sold first and the cash proceeds donated.
Direct gifts from your IRA are a way for individuals age 70½ and older to make donations to the Exploratorium of up to $100,000 per year (and up to $200,000 per year for married couples) directly from their individual retirement accounts through the Charitable IRA Rollover. This allows you to make a meaningful gift without having to count the transfers as income for federal tax purposes, and is a great way to utilize your required minimum distributions.
Closely held stock provides you with another way to support the museum. This kind of stock is privately owned and not publicly traded. If you are considering a gift of closely held stock, it is important that you not enter into a prior written agreement with either the corporation or a potential purchaser before you make your gift.
Real estate can create an important gift. Because of the special nature of real estate, the Exploratorium will carefully evaluate each property prior to acceptance.
Personal property, such as collections, books, or art, may be given to the museum. Special rules apply for these donations, so it is important to discuss this type of gift with the Development Office prior to contributing it outright or designating it as a gift from your estate.
How to give: To discuss planned giving options, please email us at development@exploratorium.edu or call 415.528.4866.
There are many ways that you can help the Exploratorium and accomplish your philanthropic and financial goals while providing for your loved ones. You can consider any of the following:
Direct gifts from your IRA are a way for individuals age 70½ and older to make donations to the Exploratorium of up to $100,000 per year (and up to $200,000 per year for married couples) directly from their individual retirement accounts through the Charitable IRA Rollover. This allows you to make a meaningful gift without having to count the transfers as income for federal tax purposes, and is a great way to utilize your required minimum distributions.
These are just some examples of how you can include the Exploratorium in your gift-planning efforts. Gifts of this nature should be carefully considered in relation to your financial and estate plans and goals. We therefore recommend that you consult an attorney, financial advisor, or estate-planning expert in the preparation of your plans and to supervise their execution so as to comply with the requirements of the state in which you reside.
Named in honor of Frank Oppenheimer, the renowned scientist and visionary who founded the museum in 1969, the Oppenheimer Circle was established to recognize those donors who have included the Exploratorium in their estate plans. Special benefits and membership are extended to these valued donors, who help secure the Exploratorium's financial future and assure that the standards of innovation, excellence, and education enjoyed here today will be available to future generations.
How to join: To discuss Oppenheimer Circle membership, please email us at development@exploratorium.edu or call 415.528.4866.
Membership eligibility
Membership in the Oppenheimer Circle is extended upon confirmation that you have arranged for any of the following:
Your membership may be confirmed with a letter to the Exploratorium describing the gift, or by completing a gift confirmation form, available through the Development Office.
Recognition and benefits
In addition to the satisfaction that comes with knowing that you are helping to secure the financial future of the museum, the benefits of membership in the Oppenheimer Circle include:
If you prefer, your membership in the Oppenheimer Circle may be anonymous for purposes of recognition, but we would still be honored to have you participate in activities at the Exploratorium.
Our most dedicated donors were invited to join us for this thought-provoking event.
Another way to enjoy great value and privileges—and support our work. See if membership is right for you.
Get involved behind the scenes, individually or as a corporate or service group.
The Exploratorium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our tax ID #: 94-1696494