The Seacoast Science Center kicked off its 2016 Annual Fund Campaign in April with the introduction of new benefits for higher levels of giving. The Center’s new Annual Giving Societies, for those who donate $300 or more, were created to recognize and motivate donors to step up their giving.
“The Seacoast Science Center relies on generous support from individuals, businesses and institutions to help carry out our mission of ocean education and stewardship,” stated Nichole Rutherford, Director of Development at the Center. “We have had a strong base of supporters since we opened our doors in 1997, but our needs have grown as our scope of work has increased. More funding will allow us to teach more students, engage more visitors, inspire more campers and rescue more marine mammals in distress.”
All donors who give $300 or more to the Seacoast Science Center receive a host of annual benefits, including free unlimited admission to the Center and Odiorne State Park, free admission to reciprocal membership institutions, half-price summer concert tickets, Nature Store discount, early camp registration and an invitation to an annual donor appreciation event.
Donors who give $300 – $999 become part of the Sugden Society, named in honor of the original owner of the seaside stone home that became the Russell be Tobey Nature Center, now the Seacoast Science Center. Sugden Society members receive four summer concerts series tickets, a voucher for SSC logo-wear, and the opportunity to send a group of 25 students to a one-hour naturalist-led program at the Center, and a behind-the-scenes tour, in addition to the other benefits mentioned above.
When donors give more than $1,000 per year, they become members of the Ocean Ambassador Society. The levels within this giving society are named after protected marine species, which are studied by scientists as key indicators of ocean health.
Donors at the Sea Turtle level ($1,000 – $2,499) receive six tickets to the summer concert series, a commemorative deck chair, the opportunity to send 50 students to a one-hour naturalist-led program, in addition to all basic donor benefits.
Donors at the Seal level ($2,500 – $4,999) receive eight tickets to the summer concert series, a commemorative deck chair, the opportunity to send 50 students to a one-hour naturalist-led program, a behind-the-scenes tour and a one-of-a-kind “ocean planet” glass art piece by renowned artist Josh Simpson, in addition to all basic donor benefits.
Donors at the Dolphin level ($5,000 – $9,999) receive ten tickets to the summer concert series, a commemorative deck chair, the opportunity to send 75 students to a one-hour naturalist-led program, a behind-the-scenes tour and a one-of-a-kind “ocean planet” glass art piece by renowned artist Josh Simpson, in addition to all basic donor benefits.
Donors at the Humpback level ($10,000 or more) receive twenty tickets to the summer concert series, a commemorative deck chair, the opportunity to send 50 students to a one-hour naturalist-led program, a behind-the-scenes tour, a one-of-a-kind “ocean planet” glass art piece by renowned artist Josh Simpson and lunch with Seacoast Science Center’s president Wendy Lull, in addition to all basic donor benefits.
The Seacoast Science Center also offers an Ever-Blue Planned Giving Program for those who would like to include the Center in their personal and financial estate plans.
To learn more about the Seacoast Science Center and ways to support its mission, please visit www.seacoastsciencecenter.org or call Director of Development Nichole Rutherford at 603-436-8043, ext. 26.
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