Become a Donor
Together, we are EXPLORERS dedicated to providing hands-on science opportunities that EDUCATE and EMPOWER. We build curiosity, fun, and make big discoveries! Find your passion for giving below:
Thanks to the support of our generous donors, SDDC has been at the heart of all-ages scientific exploration in the state for over 35 years.
Our mission has grown from introducing children and their families to science through our acclaimed exhibits hall to including the instruction of educators at all levels and enhancing scientific understanding through programming geared at inspiring creative minds and critical thinking in all ages.
Every year we impact over 500 classrooms and over 15,000 curious minds directly with our programs and work to bring new information and foundational science to the public in interesting, interactive ways. We are developing tomorrow’s scientific leaders and increasing scientific literacy in South Dakota and beyond.
Your gift makes a difference! Find out more, below, about how you can give to the SDDC and impact your community:
Advocate for Science
Be an advocate for STEAM education! With your direct support to our mission, the SDDC applies your dollars to its programs and operations that empower all Peoples of the Great Plains, creating hands-on experiences that inspire scientific thinking. Help us leverage funds and channel financial resources to make the largest impact. Share our need and your donation on social media with the hashtag #AdvocateForScience.
Give to a Campaign
Growing a solid foundation for a stable future is the ultimate goal of our designated Endowment Fund with the South Dakota Community Foundation. What is an endowment fund, you ask? Simply put, it is an account with investment earnings that the SDDC uses for its programs and operations. The more our Endowment Fund grows, the more earnings we have to use in our dream of building a society of curious, scientifically literate, and engaged problem solvers. Your gift helps get us closer to this dream.
DOUBLE Your Impact!
You can double, triple, or quadruple your donation's value by asking your company or organization to match your gift to the SDDC. It is not unusual for a company to offer matching gift programs, contact your human resources department today!
Contact SDDC Development Director, Jennifer McIntyre, or call 605-224-8295 to learn about business promotion and support opportunities during your company’s match campaign.
Benefits All Around!
Find yourself in a tax crunch at the end of the year? Publicly traded stock and mutual funds can be given to the SDDC to save your money! Getting down to brass tacks, these types of gifts, like all donations to SDDC, are essential to our mission.
Give Your Time, Give Supplies
In-kind donations of goods and services are essential to the South Dakota Discovery Center. Whether you are looking to provide supplies for summer campers, donate office equipment, or share your time, SDDC has many options for in-kind donations.
Join our Discovery Pod to find your ideal volunteer opportunity.
Contact info@sd-discovery.org to find out what materials are currently on our wish list.
***Please note: at this time, we cannot accept materials, objects, or artifacts that fall outside of specific needs, please contact info@sd-discovery.org to learn what we need before delivering your donation.***
Make an Impact!
SDDC offers a wide variety of services to children, families, and educators across South Dakota. Businesses can make a BIG impact on specific SDDC initiatives and campaigns by making a major gift or designating support to certain programs, topics, target audiences, or special projects.
Take a look at our current campaigns and sponsorship flier, then reach out to SDDC Development Director, Jennifer McIntyre, or call 605-224-8295.
Leave a Legacy
Have you considered including the SDDC in your will or estate plan? Make your mark through legacy giving. This method of supporting nonprofits and charities enables philanthropic donors to make larger gifts than they could have made from their yearly income. You can use cash, appreciated securities/stock, real estate, partnership interests, personal property, life insurance, a retirement plan and more to make a planned gift. The benefits of funding a planned gift can make this type of charitable giving attractive to both you and SDDC.
Let us know that we are a part of your legacy plan, so that we can celebrate you now! Contact SDDC Development Director, Jennifer McIntyre, or call 605-224-8295.
Donor Bill of Rights
Your gift is a voluntary action for the common good. Thank you for participating in the tradition of giving and sharing, which is primary to the quality of life in our communities. To assure that your philanthropy merits the confidence you are showing in the South Dakota Discovery Center, we declare that our donors have the following rights:
- To be informed of our mission
- To know who works for and serves on our organizational board (check out our Staff page and Board of Directors page);
- To have access to our most recent financial reports (past 990 forms and our annual reports are at the bottom of our History and Future page);
- To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition (see our Donor Appreciation Policy)
- To be assured that information about your gift and donations are handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent possible by the law.
- To expect that all relationships with individuals representing us will be professional.
- To be informed whether those seeking donations on behalf of the SDDC are staff, volunteers, or hired solicitors.
- To have the opportunity for your name to be deleted from any mailing that we intend to share.
- To feel free to ask questions when making your gift and to receive prompt, truthful, and forthright answers.
QUESTIONS?
Contact SDDC Development Director, Jennifer McIntyre, or call 605-224-8295.