The Innovator’s Circle is a giving society that recognizes individual donors who have made a gift of $1,000 or more to Discovery World per year. As champions for our mission, Innovator’s Circle members are invited to attend special members-only events as our thanks for your support.

Steve Atwell was a vibrant presence at Discovery World, where he spent more than 14 years as the Director of Development. Inspired by Steve’s commitment to Discovery World and to Milwaukee youth, the Steve Atwell Memorial Youth Scholarship was created.

When fully funded, this endowment will ensure that young people in our community can continue in perpetuity to find enrichment and inspiration at Discovery World regardless of their financial status. The investment earnings from this endowment will give unrestricted and personalized access of our STEM programs, camps, research, labs, staff, and collaborative partners to our area’s youth.

Your compassionate gift, pledge, or estate gift commitment to our endowment will create a perpetual legacy of annual support for future generations of Wisconsin kids, families, and schools, such as:

• $1,500 provides $75 annually, the cost of a day’s admission for a family each year
• $3,000 provides $150 annually, the cost of one free Family Plus membership each year
• $6,000 provides $300 annually, the cost of one summer camp scholarship every summer
• $15,000 provides $750 annually, the cost of multiple annual field trips with transportation and labs for one classroom
• $35,000 provides $1,750 annually, the cost of a three-hour Lake Watch for two classrooms on the S/V Denis Sullivan each summer
• $100,000 provides $5,000 annually, the cost of admission so that over 300 local girls can attend our annual Girls & STEM event

For donors who prefer to help today’s youth, regardless of their financial status, access the enrichment and inspiration that Discovery World offers. Discovery World’s Access Fund gratefully accepts gifts, pledges, and estate gift commitments of any size.

• $20 helps us give a day exploring to one child
• $35 helps us give a day of play to a child and adult
• $75 helps us give a day of reconnecting to a family
• $115 helps us give a membership and a year’s worth of free access to a family
• $300 helps us give one child a week of free summer camp
• $750 helps us provide one classroom of students with a free field trip, including transportation and labs
• $1,750 provides all two classrooms with a free, three-hour Lake Watch on the S/V Denis Sullivan
• $5,000 generously gives over 300 girls free admission to our annual Girls & STEM event
• $25,000 underwrites a free admission day for the community

The only re-creation of a 19th century three-masted Great Lakes schooner in the world, the S/V Denis Sullivan was built by nearly 1,000 dedicated volunteers who generously gave more than one million hours over five years to see their big vision become a breathtaking reality. The S/V Denis Sullivan embodies the sweat, souls, and spirit of citizens who labored to help build the first tall ship to take shape in Wisconsin during this century and was ultimately designated as Wisconsin’s Flagship.

Every time the S/V Denis Sullivan sails, she carries with her the pride of every volunteer, student, visitor, donor, and crew who has supported this remarkable endeavor. It is in large part because of our S/V Denis Sullivan volunteers and donor contributions that Discovery World’s mission of freshwater education has been made possible.

The Founder’s Club recognizes donors who have informed us that they have included a legacy gift to Discovery World in their estate plans, including but not limited to a:

• Will or Bequest
• Living Trust
• Retirement Plan Asset
• Charitable Remainder Trust
• Life Insurance Policy

If you have included Discovery World in your estate plans, please let us know. We would like to thank you for your generosity, make sure the purpose of your gift is understood, and recognize you as a member of our Founder’s Club.

Our Department of Philanthropy is happy to help you explore options for designating a bequest to Discovery World. Please see our sample language. Those considering a planned gift should consult their own legal and tax advisors. The staff in the Department of Philanthropy are happy to speak with advisors as well.