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Open the Door to a Lifetime of Literacy and Learning
Every child deserves the joy of discovery...
...the spark that ignites when they share ideas with friends and caregivers, connect words to stories, or see science come alive through play. At non profit Stepping Stones Museum for Children, we believe early literacy and learning experiences are transformational and should be accessible to every child, regardless of income, ability, or language.
Through our Open Arms accessibility initiative, we're reimagining early childhood education as an inclusive system that uplifts every child. Why does this matter? Research consistently shows that informal learning environments like ours produce measurable gains in literacy development – setting the foundation for lifelong success.
Our education team delivers acclaimed interactive programming rich in science, technology, engineering, art, and math(STEAM), creating literacy-rich, play-powered experiences that prove this impact daily.
Your Gift to Children
Barriers like poverty, language differences and lack of access to quality early learning can keep young children from building the strong foundation they need for literacy and lifelong learning. Thanks to donors like you, Stepping Stones has the means to remove the barriers that stand in the way during these critical years – ensuring that every child can experience the joy of early literacy and education from the very start.
Even a gift of $43 – the actual cost of one visitor experience in the museum - can help bridge the early learning gap, enabling the museum to provide transformative experiences for a child who walks through our doors. Donors like you help Stepping Stones to build – and fortify – this bridge, opening doors to early language and literacy, one child at a time.
We need your help to keep our doors wide open!
Will you help us reach our goal of $100,000 this fall to continue providing these essential learning experiences? Your gift ensures that every child – regardless of their family's circumstances – can access our play-powered learning to set them up for school success and lifelong curiosity.
Donate Now
Make a Difference
2025 Offers Tax Benefits for Every Gift
Join us in advancing educational equity in early childhood where it matters most! The foundation for all future learning is built through the shared learning adventures and literacy-rich experiences offered at Stepping Stones. Together, we can ensure that discovery, joy, and a lifelong love of learning remain accessible to all children.
Now is the best time to take advantage of current tax write-off laws. Important changes are coming in 2026 that could affect your charitable giving strategy. Many donors will see reduced deductibility due to the 0.5% AGI floor coming in 2026.
Your Savings, Your Legacy
As you consider your year-end giving, we also invite you to think long-term. Your legacy can shape generations. Making Stepping Stones Museum for Children a beneficiary of your retirement plan or estate may offer significant tax advantages:
Transfer up to $100,000 tax-free from your IRA
Satisfy your required minimum distribution
Reduce your taxable income – even if you don’t itemize
Fulfill a pledge or maximize your impact without affecting your current finances
Create a Legacy of Learning
Your legacy can help children grow into confident communicators, curious learners and compassionate adults. By including Stepping Stones Museum for Children in your will or estate plans, you can ensure that joyful learning experiences will inspire generations to come.
Please fill out this one-question survey below – we'd love to hear about what inspires you!
Fundraising Events
Our 25th Birthday marks the start of a new chapter in the Stepping Stones story. Join us in celebrating 25 years and help shape the future of the museum. Together, let’s make 2025 our best year yet and lay the foundation for a bright and exciting future!
September 25
Swing Into It! Golf Tournament
Play "Golf Digest's" Top Course in Connecticut!
Grab your clubs and get ready to hit the fairway for the 22nd annual Swing Into It! Golf Tournament at the esteemed Stanwich Club in Greenwich, CT. This exciting fundraising event supports the museum’s critical Open Arms accessibility initiative, which makes it possible for children of all backgrounds and abilities to have access to the museum and its educational benefits.
Register NowCan We Count On You?
We invite you to join our celebration and support the future of playful learning at Stepping Stones. From volunteering with us to becoming a museum ambassador to making a much-appreciated donation, there are many ways that we can work together to serve the children and families who count on us.
Volunteer Opportunities
We are always looking for passionate and dedicated adult volunteers to join our team!
- Museum Floor Engagement
- After Hour Programming
- Puppetry
- ELLI+ Book Nook
Individual Giving
Become a Friend of the Museum with a one-time gift or 25-month recurring donation.
Best Friend
$2,500 – $4,999
Soul Mate
$1,000 – $2,499
Kindred Spirit
$500 – $999
Confidant
$100 – $499
Companion
$25 – $99
Companies Who Care
Sponsorship Opportunities
Our community partners and corporate sponsors are important contributors to the museum’s mission. From sharing ideas, expertise and time to providing the monetary means for us to expand services and experiences for children and families in need, your contribution counts!
Become a SponsorBecome a Member
With our 25th birthday on tap this year, 2025 promises to be a special year at Stepping Stones Museum for Children. Don’t miss a moment of the milestone action.
Become A memberJoin the 25th Anniversary Leaders Circle
Individuals, businesses and corporate entities who contribute major gifts of more than $15,000 will be recognized as “25th Anniversary Leaders Circle” supporters and gain opportunities for impactful, customized collaboration throughout our 25th year and beyond, including inclusion on a highly-visible museum plaque to be permanently displayed, a special 25th birthday web page and in the 2025 annual report.
Become A Forever FriendDonor Advised Fund (DAF)
When recommending a grant via your DAF, search for "Stepping Stones Museum for Children" either by name or by EIN 22-3199269. Funds will be sent with a cover letter including your designation.
Your Impact
Top benefits enjoyed by children who spend time at Stepping Stones or participate in our educational workshops or classes:
Stepping Stones is a vital “third space” providing children with a safe, inclusive environment to learn and build literacy skills in the landscape that exists between school and home.
Uncover their own capabilities and interests, and discover they can use their voices to contribute to their communities and improve the world around them.
Become lifelong learners and build confidence, social-emotional skills and the resiliency needed to overcome challenges.
Learn critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and teamwork that will help them become innovators and leaders in adulthood.
Develop a sense of stewardship and agency for the environment.
Companies Who Care
Local Businesses can sponsor the museum to receive publicity throughout the year and benefits for their employees.
Titanium
$50,000
Platinum
$25,000
Gold
$15,000
M&T Bank
Silver
$10,000
Eversource
Tauck
Bronze
$5,000
Conair LLC
Diserio, Martin, O'Connor & Castiglioni, LLP
First County Bank
Lone Pine Capital LLC
Nuvance Health
Ring's End, Inc.
Union Savings Bank
Day Pitney LLP
EMCOR Group, Inc
Gen Re
Northern Trust Company of CT
Nuvance Health - GoHealth Urgent Care
Stanley M. Seligson Properties
Copper
$2,500
American Life
Animal Wellness Veterinary Center
Bank of America Corp.
Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessy LLP
Enterprise Mobility Foundation
Garavel Auto Group
Krauss Whiting Capital Advisors LLC
Linde
Siegel & Kaufman PC
Terex Corporation
Whole Food Regional Office
Brass
$1,000
Aquarion Water Company
Bankwell
Bespoke Veterinary Services
Bigelow Tea
Cornell University Veterinary Specialists, Inc.
USI Insurance Services, LLC
Titanium
$50,000
Brass
$1,000
Aquarion Water Company
Bankwell
Bespoke Veterinary Services
Bigelow Tea
Cornell University Veterinary Specialists, Inc.
USI Insurance Services, LLC
Bronze
$5,000
Conair LLC
Day Pitney LLP
Diserio, Martin, O'Connor & Castiglioni, LLP
EMCOR Group, Inc
First County Bank
Gen Re
Lone Pine Capital LLC
Northern Trust Company of CT
Nuvance Health
Nuvance Health - GoHealth Urgent Care
Ring's End, Inc.
Stanley M. Seligson Properties
Union Savings Bank
Platinum
$25,000
Gold
$15,000
M&T Bank
Silver
$10,000
Eversource
Tauck
Copper
$2,500
American Life
Animal Wellness Veterinary Center
Bank of America Corp.
Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessy LLP
Enterprise Mobility Foundation
Garavel Auto Group
Krauss Whiting Capital Advisors LLC
Linde
Siegel & Kaufman PC
Terex Corporation
Whole Food Regional Office
Explore Our Exhibits
