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Legacy Giving at Stepping Stones
Create a Lasting Legacy of Learning for Future Generations
Early learning experiences shape who children become. Through play-based exhibits, literacy programs, STEAM earning, and arts and culture experiences, Stepping Stones Museum for Children helps young learners build confidence, creativity, empathy, and a lifelong love of discovery.
Legacy gifts strengthen our Legacy of Learning Endowment, helping ensure that children can continue to explore, imagine, and thrive for generations to come.
What Is Legacy Giving?
Legacy giving, also known as planned giving, is a meaningful way to support children's early education and development today and for generations to come. It is a way to support a nonprofit organization through a future gift. These gifts are often made through a will, trust, retirement account, donor-advised fund, or other longer-term financial plan.
Many legay gifts cost nothing today and can be changed over time. They offer flexibility, peace of mind, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference for causes you care about most.
Make a Difference
Why Choose Stepping Stones Museum for Children
As Connecticut's largest children's museum and its only institute of creative exploration dedicated to early education, Stepping Stones blends joyful play with meaningful learning.
Legacy giving at Stepping Stones supports:
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!
Share My Legacy InspirationCan 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
