activities · 6
what they do
direct service · 3
- Delivers public astronomy education and outreach programs Public Observatory & Planetarium ProgramsOffers public astronomy programs for children and adults, STEM camps, science exhibits, historic Mars Hill tours, virtual experiences, and K-12 school visit funding to promote science education and public engagement with astronomy.
- Preserves Lowell Observatory’s historic collections and archives Postal History Preservation & ResearchSupports the preservation of historic papers, correspondence, research materials, and scientific instruments through the Putnam Collection Center, ensuring long-term access and conservation of Lowell Observatory’s archival heritage.
- Runs Navajo-Hopi Astronomy Outreach Program for Native American students Native American Astronomy OutreachOperates a long-standing outreach initiative since 1996 that connects Native American students with astronomers, integrates hands-on STEM curricula with traditional Native American astronomy knowledge, and provides educational access and engagement opportunities.
research · 1
- Conducts and supports astronomical researchSupports research by Lowell Observatory astronomers and external researchers in areas including galactic structure, cosmology, and planetary science; maintains an accessible archive of William G. Tifft’s research; and funds instrumentation and technologies essential to astronomical research.
capacity building · 2
- Manages endowment funds to support Lowell Observatory's facilities, programs, and preservationOperates and manages multiple endowment funds—including the Mars Hill Fund and GODO Endowment Fund—to ensure long-term financial support for facility maintenance, campus improvements on Mars Hill, care of the Giovale Open Deck Observatory, and preservation of archival collections.
- Provides research and professional development opportunities for early-career scientistsAttracts and supports postdoctoral fellows, interns, and undergraduate/graduate students through fellowships, internships, and research project funding in astronomy, planetary science, and instrumentation, offering salary, resources, and access to observatory facilities.
strategies · 5
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Culturally-Relevant STEM Education culturally-relevant STEM educationThe organization inspires underserved students, particularly those on Native American reservations, to pursue careers in science by integrating hands-on STEM curricula with traditional Native American astronomy.
- Enhancing Visitor Educational Experiences visitor_experience_enhancementThe organization aims to provide high-quality educational experiences for guests by supporting the operation, maintenance, upgrades, and programming of its facilities, such as the Giovale Open Deck Observatory and the Astronomy Discovery Center.
- Perpetual Funding for Scientific Discovery, Outreach, and Preservation perpetual_funding_modelThe organization utilizes endowment earnings to provide long-term, sustainable funding for scientific research, public outreach and education initiatives, and the preservation of historic facilities, ensuring the continuity of its mission.
- Planned Giving for Long-Term Support planned_givingThe organization encourages individuals to make planned gifts through estate planning vehicles to secure long-term financial support for astronomical exploration, education, and outreach initiatives.
- Support for Astronomical Research and Researchers research_supportThe organization directly supports astronomical research and the careers of researchers at Lowell Observatory by providing funding, resources, and opportunities, including a postdoctoral fellowship program to attract and develop talent.
named programs · 3
what they call their work
Inspiration Fund
Supports public astronomy programs, STEM camps, and educational outreach initiatives.
Native American Astronomy Outreach Fund
Supports the Navajo-Hopi Astronomy Outreach Program, connecting Native American students with astronomers and STEM curricula.
Percival Lowell Postdoctoral Fellowship Fund
Aims to attract young minds in astronomy and planetary science to conduct research at Lowell Observatory.
relationships · 19
who they work with
- BF Foundation Partner — David Chase serves various community and charitable organizations including the BF Foundation.
- Boston Family Office Partner — George Putnam is a director and part-owner of the Boston Family Office.
- Class Achieving Change Together (ClassACT) Partner — George Putnam is a current director of Class Achieving Change Together (ClassACT).
- Flagstaff Community Foundation Partner — Marjorie McClanahan has chaired the board of Flagstaff Community Foundation.
- Ginger and John Giovale Funder — Provided a generous gift that led to the creation of the GODO Endowment Fund in 2019.
- Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute Partner — George Putnam is a current director of the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute.
- Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute Partner — Developed IGRINS, the Immersion Grating Infrared Spectrometer, with the University of Texas at Austin.
- Lowell Observatory Partner — David Chase serves on the board of Lowell Observatory.
- Lowell Observatory Partner — Receives philanthropic support from the Lowell Observatory Foundation for its mission of research, outreach, and historic preservation.
- Lowell Observatory Advisory Board Partner — Donna Weistrop is a member of the Executive Committee of the Lowell Observatory Advisory Board.
- Museum of Northern Arizona Partner — Marjorie McClanahan has chaired the board of the Museum of Northern Arizona.
- New Generation Advisors, LLC Partner — George Putnam is President of New Generation Advisors, LLC.
- New Generation Research, Inc. Partner — George Putnam is Chairman of New Generation Research, Inc.
- Northern Arizona Healthcare Partner — Marjorie McClanahan has chaired the board of Northern Arizona Healthcare.
- Northern Arizona University’s Martin-Springer Institute Partner — Donna Weistrop is a member of the Advisory Council of Northern Arizona University’s Martin-Springer Institute.
- Putnam Group of mutual funds Partner — George Putnam is a trustee of the funds in the Putnam Group of mutual funds.
- Robert and Verlee Hunter Funder — Provided the initial gift to the Native American Astronomy Outreach Fund through their estate.
- University of Texas at Austin Partner — Developed IGRINS, the Immersion Grating Infrared Spectrometer, with the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute.
- VCI Solutions Partner — W. Lowell Putnam IV founded VCI Solutions, a company that provided sales, traffic, and automation software solutions for the broadcast and cable industry.