Celebrate 50 years with us!
In 1973, the Sun Foundation was founded to provide vibrant programming in the arts and environmental sciences for young stewards of planet Earth. Over the past 50 years, we have nourished the creative talents of three generations of youth.
Help us keep the sun shining for another 50 years!
As we celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2023, consider contributing to our $50 for 50 Years Fundraiser. Here are some suggested ways to donate:
Monthly recurring gift of $50
One-time gift of $500
Or create your own option!
Our goal is to raise $100,000 in honor of our past 50 years — and to secure the future of our next 50 years.
Thank you for renewing your investment in our work to inspire the creative leaders of tomorrow.
– Bob, Joan, and the Sun Foundation community
We are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and contributions are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 23-7367667.
6m+
central Illinois community members have been served through our programs, conferences, publications, performances and exhibitions over the last 50 years.
$535,500
over 33 years has been regranted to rural arts programs through our Community Arts Access Grants.
27,000
youths have engaged in environmental sciences and arts programming with inspiring artists, scientists, survival skills instructors and more all while taking in the natural beauty of the outdoors through 48 years of our Art and Science in the Woods summer camp.
60,000
students have attended 30 Clean Water Celebrations—the largest event of its kind in the world—where they learn how to make a difference by protecting our most precious resource, water.
Other Ways to Donate
There are various ways of giving to the Sun Foundation that can help you meet your philanthropic goals and personal financial planning objectives.
Outright Gifts
Outright gifts such as cash, stock, and property can lower your tax liability. They allow you to put your philanthropy to work immediately in an area of special interest to you.
Cash gifts. Many donors find that this is the simplest and most direct method of support.
Appreciated securities. By transferring stock you avoid the capital gains tax and brokers fees on the eventual sale of the stock, and you receive a tax deduction for the full fair market value of the stock.
Deferred Gifts
Deferred gifts give future benefit, usually after the death of a donor or another individual beneficiary. Such gifts can substantially lower income taxes and estate taxes.
Bequests. You can designate a charitable beneficiary in your will. This can be an important consideration for those whose estates may otherwise be subject to high estate tax rates.
Charitable Remainder Trusts. Creating a charitable remainder annuity trust or charitable remainder unitrust provides you with lifetime income, tax savings, and then, after your death, supports your philanthropic goal.
Gifts of In-kind Services and Supplies
We graciously accept in-kind contributions of supplies and services to support our programs. We often need things like food, silent auction items, art and classroom supplies, and help with groundskeeping and fundraising. If you’d like to make an in-kind contribution, please contact us!