Donate

We are dedicated to inspiring people to become caring stewards of the Great Lakes. Your financial support makes educational opportunities possible, ensuring a healthy future for our most important natural resource. Your donation:

Donation by check or phone is always welcome. Make checks payable to ISEA and mail to 100 Dame St #218, Suttons Bay, MI 49682, or call (231) 271-3077.

For more information on ways to donate to ISEA, please contact isea@schoolship.org or call (231) 271-3077.

Membership

Members provide sustaining gifts that cover operating expenses year-round and make our programs available to every student, regardless of need. Just make a donation of $100 or more at any time during a 12-month period to become a member.

With an annual gift of $1,000 or more you become a Captain’s Circle member. This dedicated group of supporters is critical to the ongoing mission of Inland Seas.

Donor Advised Fund

If you have a donor advised fund with Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, or BNY Mellon, you can make your grant recommendation to ISEA through the DAF Direct online form. If your donor advised fund is not listed, please contact your adviser at your DAF sponsoring organization directly to make your recommendation. If you do not wish to make your DAF grant recommendation via DAF Direct, please direct your DAF sponsoring organization to make checks payable to Inland Seas Education Association and mail to: Inland Seas Education Association, PO Box 218, Suttons Bay, MI 49682. ISEA Tax ID is 38-2866234.

Qualified Charitable IRA Distributions

Qualified Charitable Deductions (QCDs) are available to owners of traditional IRAs and who are of age 70½ or older. A QCD is a distribution from your traditional IRA that can go directly to a qualified non-profit such as ISEA, and is NOT included in your taxable income thus does not increase your adjusted gross income (AGI). Click here for more information.

When you reach age 72, you are required to withdraw a certain amount of money from your retirement accounts each year. That amount is called a required minimum distribution, or RMD. A payment directly from your IRA to Inland Seas may be considered a qualified charitable distribution which can satisfy your RMD. Contact your financial planner to learn more.

Planned Giving

When you designate a gift in your will or estate plan, you ensure the work of Inland Seas will remain sustainable for many years to come.

Speak with your financial advisor or estate lawyer to make a planned gift to ISEA, including bequests, beneficiary designations, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, or endowed gifts.

Please let us know if you have already or plan to include ISEA in your estate plan.

Other Donation Options

Inland Seas Education Association does not provide legal or tax advisory services. Please contact an attorney or financial advisor before making charitable gifts regarding wills, trusts, and bequests.

Schooner Society

Donors who have a lifetime of giving of $25,000 or more, belong to the Schooner Society, receive a half-model of the Schooner Inland Seas, and have their name displayed in the Education Center on the lifetime giving wall.

Schooner Society Members