How to Support the AAS after AmazonSmile Ends

You’ve probably heard by now that Amazon is ending its charity donation program, AmazonSmile, effective 20 February. The program, which began in 2013, allowed customers to shop and select a charity, such as the American Astronomical Society (AAS), to which Amazon donated 0.5% of the cost of eligible products. The company intends to focus its charitable efforts on fewer areas, to make a more significant impact.

The Society enrolled in the program in 2014, and over the years shoppers donated over $5,500. If you chose the AAS as your AmazonSmile charity, we thank you for your support! All gifts through AmazonSmile were allocated to the Society’s general fund, our unrestricted account supporting advocacy efforts, membership services, and operations.

While we are sad to see AmazonSmile draw to a close, the AAS still has a bevy of giving opportunities — 50 in fact! — for those who wish to support the astronomical sciences. And unlike AmazonSmile, the AAS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, and donations to the Society by US taxpayers are deductible. Moreover, the Society has more ways to give beyond cash gifts, such as deferred gifts (through retirement plan assets or wills) and outright gifts (such as through securities or IRA rollovers). One last benefit: when you donate $250 or more to any fund (or a mix of funds), you will be invited to the donor reception at our upcoming meeting in Albuquerque.

Choosing among so many opportunities can be difficult. Here are some ideas for you:

• Prizes: The Annie Jump Cannon Award in Astronomy recognizes outstanding research and promise for future research by a postdoctoral woman researcher. The George Van Biesbroeck Prize honors a living individual for long-term extraordinary or unselfish service to astronomy, often beyond the requirements of their position.
• Programs: The Society’s FAMOUS (Funds for Astronomical Meetings: Outreach to Underrepresented Scientists) Travel Grant provides grants to members who have difficulty financing their travel to AAS meetings. Gifts to the Ojars J. Sovers PhD AAS Scholarship/Grant supports the AAS Education Committee’s efforts to provide professional development experiences to the AAS community through its Mini-Grant program.
• Activities: Gifts to the Society’s General Fund are used to support operations, membership services, and advocacy activities. Dependent Care Grants aid members who need dependent care to attend a meeting of the AAS.
• Legacy Funds: Giving to the AAS Initiative Endowment Fund helps us build a foundation for an exciting future of scientific discovery.

Don’t forget our six Divisions! Each has their own suite of donation opportunities.

The AAS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, and all donations by US taxpayers are deductible under section 170 of the IRS Code. The AAS will automatically issue letters for donations of $100 or more. Federal Tax ID# 21-0735173.