Help us fulfill our mission and reopen safely!
When you donate $25 or more, you will receive a FREE cloth ampersand mask! The mask will be shipped to you.
How LASM has been impacted by COVID-19 so far:
- Projected $380,000 loss in earned income by June 2020 and numerous staff lay-offs due to temporary closure to the public
New laws as a result of the CARES Act making it easier and more advantageous than ever to give to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations:
- Individuals can take a $300 above-the-line deduction for cash contributions to charities, regardless of whether or not the individual itemizes deductions
- For individuals that itemize, the 60% of adjusted gross income (AGI) limit that previously applied for qualifying cash contributions to public charities will not apply for 2020. Individuals will be eligible for a deduction of up to 100% of AGI for 2020 for qualifying cash contributions
- For further information, please consult your accountant
What LASM has done to serve our community with limited resources:
- Developed virtual-lasm.org, an online library of at home art and science activities, videos, and blogs, designed to educate, entertain, and inspire multigenerational audiences with an emphasis on schoolchildren
- Virtual-lasm.org is now being used to comfort and engage patients, caregivers, and staff at Baton Rouge General Hospital and Our Lady of the Lake
- Created new programs such as We Need Our Space: LIVE, hosted by the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium, and translated community favorites such as The Traveling Trunk Show and Stargazing to a virtual platform
Other ways you can help:
- Become a member at https://www.lasm.org/give/join/.
- Buy a $50 Gala raffle ticket for your chance to win a piece of jewelry valued at $14,500, generously donated by Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry at https://www.lasm.org/gala
- Like, share, and engage with our posts on social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Irene W. Pennington Planetarium Blog)
THANK YOU for your generosity and support during these trying times. We can make it through this crisis TOGETHER!