Illinois Science Council End of Year Drive

Illinois Science Council is an independent* nonprofit that creates fun events covering all areas of science. Science for the curious, science for everyone! 

Eleven years ago, we realized that Chicago had great programming for arts and culture for adults and wonderful STEM programming for children, but not much for adults to engage in and learn about science in a fun and casual way. Illinois Science Council was launched to fill that gap. Every day you can encounter reasons why it’s important for everyone to have a good understanding and appreciation for science. Whether you want to be a smarter consumer or more informed voter, to help your kids with homework, or make sense of science stories in the news, Illinois Science Council is here providing science content that is accessible to anyone, from medical marijuana and the science of whiskey, to microbiomes, to GMOs.  Here's some fun facts!

• Science is awesome and ISC is a place where regular people get to take part in it.
• Science outreach helps people stay informed so they are more confident voters, consumers, and individuals
• More funding will make it possible to have even more terrific events.
• ISC makes science for everyone. We arrange dozens of events each year.  Check out our webpage, http://www.illinoisscience.org/

And sadly some Un-fun facts: 

• Science is becoming a political pawn, and people should be knowledgeable about the true facts and have the opportunity to interact with practicing scientists.
• The State  of Illinois spends ~$11 million annually on arts outreach through the IL Arts Council; the City spends ~$25 million annually on the Dept of Cultural Affairs & Special Events. Neither has an equivalent entity or funding mechanism for science outreach. 
• The vast majority of grant funding for science outreach is aimed at children although they are less than 15% of the population and <30% of Chicago households have a child under 18.
• Despite its name, ISC gets no funding from the state of Illinois. Individual contributions are a critical part of our budget.

We need your support to fill that gap. Your donation enables our year-round schedule of engaging, low-cost or free science events. Please support ISC today!

The ISC Associates' Board aims to raise $5,000 by December 31, and I am striving to raise $500 of that. Please consider supporting my efforts to spread science!

* ISC receives no funding from the State of Illinois or City of Chicago. We rely on the generosity of donors like you.