Stellafane Endowment Fund
The Stellafane Endowment Fund seeks to ensure the future of Stellafane for future generations by raising funds to be acquired via donations, bequests, etc., and invest them appropriately so as to protect and grow principal while earning a reasonable rate of return. The principal will be untouched except in the case of a catastrophic need. In essence, it would also serve as an emergency fund in the event of a financial crisis that threatens the continued ownership, use or maintenance of the Stellafane properties.
The objective of building such a fund is to generate income (consisting of dividends, interest, realized capital gains, etc.) to help pay for the expenses of maintaining and improving the Stellafane properties. Expenses the Stellafane Endowment Fund would seek to fund would include insurance, security equipment and monitoring fees, building maintenance, grounds upkeep, and other ordinary operating costs for the site.
We welcome volunteers to Stellafane all year long because preparing for our annual Stellafane Convention is a year-round endeavor. Teams of members and volunteers meet on most weekends in the spring, summer, and fall to prepare our site for the convention and for welcoming visitors and astronomers to enjoy dark sky observing. Please note that there are plenty of jobs available regardless of your physical ability!
The invitation to become a Stellafane volunteer is given to you with this hope: that you might enjoy the Stellafane experience from a new perspective. There is nothing quite so satisfying as working among others of like mind and spirit toward the accomplishment of a worthwhile goal. Additional benefits for volunteers include early access to the Stellafane convention, camping, use of our facilities, and observing opportunities with your own equipment or observing with a member with the Porter Turret and Schupmann telescope.
Volunteering at Stellafane can be a first step towards becoming a member of the Springfield Telescope Makers. The great people who volunteer their time and effort have infused our convention and other year-round activities with even more of the dynamism and enthusiasm that characterize each Stellafane convention.
If you are interested in volunteering specifically for our Stellafane Convention please reach our to our Convention Volunteer Coordinator, Kim Cassia at volunteer@stellafane.org
If you are interested in volunteering throughout the year please contact our Year-Round Volunteer Coordinator, Tom Spirock at get.started@stellafane.org.