Support Curiosity &
Exploration with a Donation
Your donation supports our work to cultivate an engaged community of curious, collaborative, critical thinkers!
Areas of Need
Please note: the hardest dollars to raise through grant opportunities are for general operations.
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Animal food and care, habitat needs, hands-on animal experiences; exhibit maintenance and supplies.
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Help us with the cost of keeping the center running through the winter to serve our local residents.
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Funds will be pooled and used towards an endowment to provide for the longevity of Cognition.
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Scholarships provide families in need half price memberships, reduced cost for special programs, and reduced field trip tuition for qualifying schools.
Donor Advised Funds
OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED!
WHAT IS SPARK NIGHT?
Spark Night is an immersive sneak peak into our plan to grow, expand & launch into the future!
Enjoy an evening at COGNiTiON, explore our exhibits, enjoy refreshments and join us for our presentation. Doors open at 4:30, presentation begins at 5:00. There will be open Q&A at the end. Hope to see you there!
JOIN US FOR ONE OF OUR SPARK NIGHTS & LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PLANS TO EXPAND OUR IMPACT!
UPCOMING DATES:
JULY 21ST 4:30-6:00
AUGUST 18TH 4:30-6:00
SEPTEMBER 15TH 4:30-6:00
Another way to help Cognition is to help connect us to others to grow our network of support. Would you consider bringing some friends to the center for a scheduled free tour?
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. You can choose to support a specific program, initiative, animal ambassador, and more from the options above!
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Yes. All online contributions are processed through a secure, encrypted platform to protect your personal and financial information.
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Yes. Checks can be addressed to “Cognition” and mailed to : 232 N. Michigan Ave, Beulah, MI 49617.
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Your donation enables us to maintain interactive exhibits, staff our center and programs, care for the animals we share with the community, and keep the cost to families and school groups accessible.
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Yes. We are a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. Law. Please keep your receipt as your official record.
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We are here to help! email us at volunteer@discovercognition.org or give us a call at (231) 383-4095
Donor Privacy StatementOur official charitable name is Cognition, and our EIN is 81-0906870.
All information concerning prospective donors, including names and addresses, names of beneficiaries, nature and value of estates, amounts of provisions, etc., will be kept strictly confidential by staff, volunteers, and members of the Board of Trustees and may not be released to any other party without the donor’s permission, except by subpoena or court order. Donors must grant permission for Cognition to use selective information for purposes of referrals, testimonials, or examples. Donor requests to remain anonymous, to have their names removed from mailing lists, or to restrict solicitations will be honored. Cognition does not trade, share or sell a donor’s personal information with anyone else, nor does it send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations. In the unlikely event that Cognition should ever desire to share donor information, it will not do so without first obtaining specific written permission from the donor(s) concerned.
WISH LIST
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Critter Wish List
Our Critter would love:
*Meijers gift card for tortoise and reptile food
*Aspen Substrate for enclosure bedding
*Cypress substrate for enclosure bedding
*Forest Floor substrate
*Reptile Sand
*”Fresh News” recycled paper animal bedding
*News Paper (NO adds)
*Applewood sticks
*Freeze dried strawberries
*Oscar food
*Gold Fish Flakes
Here is our ongoing Amazon wish list: https://a.co/eN65bdk
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Tools Wish List
Tools to keep things working:
*Socket Set
*Three lengths of pliers
*Two sizes wire cutters
*Two sizes of adjustable wrenches
*Flat, small, and large crowbar
*Large hammer
*Radial saw
*Peg board & hooks
*Shelves
*Small reciprocating saw
*Caulk gun with clear and white silicon
*Pig skin gloves
*Mechanic gloves
*Cement drill bit set
*Saw horses
*T-square
*Belt Sander
*New mop head
*Small shop vacuum
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Facility Wish List
*Melissa and Dough food kits
*Medium and large clear plastic bins with lids
*Batteries
*Magnetic toys and projects
*Additional ceiling lights
*Replacement air filters
*Hand Sanitizer
*Paper Towel
*Low exploration table
*New sensory table
*Augmented reality sand table
Here is our ongoing Amazon list: https://a.co/6AUvIqX
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Earth & Space Lab
*Quiet planetarium blower
*Window A/C unit
*New handheld vacuum (batterie powered)
*Senior seating for Planetarium (cushioned stools)
*22 ft. Planetarium Dome
*Sponsor ship for attending Planetarium Conferences (Where we meet and learn from the top innovators in the industry. Usually costs are x2 of our attendees, plus travel, hotel and food expenditures.)
*RTX4090 Video Card + secondary power supply for the planetarium PC to double the framerate and comfort level of the Planetarium software for the guests.
*Covering the cost of one year of Planetarium Director & Assistant pay.
*4k Projector & Fisheye lens
*Custom carpet halves
*Dome show movies
*Advanced surround sound system
*Sponsorship for reduced costs for in-center tickets and for mobile outing for schools and organizations that cannot easily afford the planetarium. Making accessible to everyone.
*Electric temperature-controlled vehicle.
*Advanced interactive Planetarium software a (considerable upgrade from the software we’re using and with a cloud community to be able to draw content from, for programs and education).
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Volunteer Wish List
We need extra hands with:
*Helping facilitate in the center (ongoing need)
*Organizing and sanitizing exhibit materials
*General Cleaning
*Flyer and poster distribution
*Board members
*Sewing projects
*Electrical—lighting project