Support Carnegie Astronomy
A Tradition of Support
From the early 20th century,
when Los Angeles
businessman John Hooker donated the funds for
the 100" telescope on Mount Wilson, to today,
motivated individuals have generously supported the
research programs of the Carnegie Observatories.
The priorities of those who give encompass:
• the past—such as preserving Carnegie's historic collection of 250,000 glass plate negatives of celestial objects
• the present—such as ensuring that that today’s modern telescopes are equipped with the best, most sensitive instruments and cameras, and
• the future — most notably focused on leading the world in building the next generation of ground-based optical telescopes.
Our benefactors continue Andrew Carnegie’s legacy of private philanthropy in support of scientific discovery for the public good.
Giving to the Observatories
Contributors to the Carnegie Observatories join a team of outstanding scientists tackling some of the most intriguing and important questions about stars, galaxies, supernovae, black holes, and the distant origins of the universe.
• Make an online gift via credit card or Paypal account
You can designate your gift to the Observatories general support fund (labeled "The Carnegie Fund | The Observatories"), to Carnegie's share of the Magellan telescope project, or to Carnegie's share of the design and construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope.
Gifts to these designated funds underwrite almost all aspects of our astronomical research.
A Bigger Philanthropic Family
In making a gift to the Observatories, donors become part of the family of contributors to the Carnegie Institution for Science.
Recognition of Benefactors: The Carnegie Founders Society, The Edwin Hubble Society, The Vannevar Bush Society, The Barbara McClintock Society, The Second Century SocietyThere are a variety of other ways to contribute, including through the Institution's Annual Giving program, Planned Giving, Memorial Gifts, and others.
There are also special Named and Endowed Opportunities that enable donors to make lasting contributions to astronomy.
If you would like to learn more about making a gift to the Carnegie Observatories, please contact Arnie Phifer, Regional Director of Advancement, at 626-304-0270 or phifer[at]ociw.edu.
Charity Navigator, America's largest charity evaluator, has awarded the Carnegie Institution of Washington its highest rating, four stars, for sound fiscal management for seven years running. Carnegie is just one of 12 organizations, out of 5,300 charities monitored, that has received this sterling and consistent record. Click on their logo for more information.