Help Us Inspire Future Generations of
Curious & Creative Problem Solvers!
Your individual support provides critical funding at WonderLab for various things like museum operations, staff development, updating and installing new exhibits, educational programs, financial accessibility for families and social service organizations, WonderCamp scholarships, and more.
Your generosity fuels our mission. Every donation—big or small—helps us create lasting change in the Bloomington community. When you give, you’re not just making a donation; you’re making an impact by educating local families.
When you donate to WonderLab, you’re not just giving to the Museum. You’re providing one-of-a-kind educational experiences and all the wonders of science through interactive exhibits and programs that stimulate curiosity, encourage exploration, connect to the arts and everyday life, and foster lifelong learning.
Explore Other Ways to Support WonderLab
Did you know that you can set up a recurring gift to sustain WonderLab throughout the year? Whether it’s a $10, $20 or even $50 or $100 a month donation, you can show your love for science and empower local children to use the sciences for the greater good! Simply indicate on your online donation the frequency with which you’d like to give.
Gifts in honor or memory of a loved one, friend, or colleague are a special way of showing your support to the WonderLab Museum and recognizing an important figure in your life. Individuals honored through a tribute gift are recognized in our Annual Report each year and we send special notification of your gift to the individual being honored or the family of those who are being remembered.
Your charitable gift to WonderLab could be matched dollar for dollar by your employer! Many companies want to support the causes their employees care about. When you make your gift, keep your receipt and check with your HR department to see if your company matches donations made by their employees or retirees!
You can help WonderLab prepare for the future by making a planned gift or bequest to the Museum. We have partnered with FreeWill to help you establish a legacy gift that meets your charitable and tax needs, such as a charitable bequest, a charitable lead trust, or a charitable remainder trust.
Learn about additional ways to leave a planned gift that have immediate benefits for you and your loved ones.
You can help build WonderLab’s sustainability by contributing to one of our endowment initiatives.
Accessibility
- Donations made to this endowment support accessibility efforts for families with low income, including the Access Pass Program, and to social service organizations.
Educational initiatives – Catherine and Norma Olmer Education Endowment Fund
- Originally named in memory of former Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer Catherine (Cathy) Olmer’s mother, Norma, this endowment’s name was changed after Cathy’s passing to honor and support both of their passions for educational initiatives at WonderLab.
Exhibit maintenance and development – Ray and Marcie Tichenor Endowment Fund
- The Tichenor Endowment provides sustainable support for exhibit maintenance and development.
Live animal programming – Keaton Eric Piper Endowment Fund
- Donations to this endowment fund support live animal programming at WonderLab
WonderCamp scholarships – John and Lilyan Carlson Endowment Fund
- Named in memory of John and Lilyan Carlson, this endowment supports full and partial scholarships at WonderCamp, WonderLab’s growing summer science enrichment camp. Your contribution ensures that children of all socioeconomic backgrounds will have the opportunity to learn during the summer months in perpetuity. This fund is currently a high-priority area for WonderLab’s fundraising efforts.
Unrestricted gifts – Catherine Olmer Legacy Endowment
- This endowment was created in partnership with the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County to honor and continue the legacy of Catherine Olmer, a professor of physics and founding director of WonderLab Museum. These funds ensure a reliable source of unrestricted funding for WonderLab into the future.
Kroger will donate a percentage of your purchase to WonderLab when you enroll in their charitable giving program: Kroger Community Rewards. Click the links for instructions on how to participate.
When planning a specific charitable gift, a legal or financial adviser should be consulted.
WonderLab Museum Tax ID #: 35-1956521
WonderLab values the contributions and privacy of all our donors. WonderLab does not share or sell any donor’s information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations unless the donor has given WonderLab the specific permission to do so or unless required by law.