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REACH FOR THE STARS

Tucson, AZ · EIN 852720201 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE P99 · Human Services · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.rftstars.com
revenue
$281K
expenses
$287K
net assets
$49K
employees
0
program ratio
82%
mission · from form 990

To provide and improve mental health for children and the community.

profile · synthesized from sources

Reach For the Stars is a Tucson-based nonprofit that uses astronomy, STEM, and art to support youth mental health by addressing stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts among local youth. The organization offers therapeutic educational programs, equipment rentals, and private stargazing events, with plans to expand into a dedicated community observatory and planetarium facility. All services are designed to create safe, engaging spaces for youth development and community engagement in Pima County.

named programs · 4 · from sources

what they call their work

Equipment Rental Program
Rental of telescopes, binoculars, and microscopes to the public, with services including setup, maintenance, and instruction
Private Stargazing Events
Guided nighttime and daytime solar viewing events for individuals, families, and groups featuring telescopes, cosmic art, and astrophotography experiences
Space Camp
Therapeutic educational camp for youth using astronomy and STEAM activities to support mental health and personal development
Stargate Community Observatory (Planned)
Future facility to include classrooms, public observatory, planetarium, and community space for STEM education and mental health programming
activities · 9 groups

what they do

  • Optical and Microscopy Equipment Rental 18 activities
    • Astronomical Equipment Sales and Rentals
      Sells used telescopes and accessories, and rents telescopes, binoculars, and compound microscopes for nightly rates starting at $60, $25, and $40 respectively, with reduced rates for additional nights.
    • Astronomical Equipment Sales and Rentals
      Sells used telescopes and accessories, and rents telescopes, binoculars, and compound microscopes for nightly use, with rental fees starting at $30–$60 for the first night.
    • Binocular Rental
      Rents binoculars for $25 for the first night and $15 for each additional night.
    • Binocular Rental
      Rents binoculars for $25 for the first night and $15 for each additional night.
    • Binocular Rental
      Rents binoculars for $25 for the first night and $15 for each additional night.
    • Binocular Rental Program
      Rents binoculars to the public for $25 for the first night and $15 for each additional night.
    • Compound Microscope Rental
      Rents compound microscopes for $40 for the first night and $20 for each additional night.
    • Compound Microscope Rental
      Rents compound microscopes for $40 for the first night and $20 for each additional night.
    • Compound Microscope Rental
      Rents compound microscopes for $40 for the first night and $20 for each additional night.
    • Compound Microscope Rental Program
      Rents compound microscopes for $40 for the first night and $20 for each additional night.
    • Sale of Used Astronomy Equipment
      Sells used telescopes and accessories to the public.
    • Telescope Rental
      Rents telescopes for $60 for the first night and $30 for each additional night.
    • Telescope Rental
      Rents telescopes for $60 for the first night and $30 for each additional night.
    • Telescope Rental
      Rents telescopes for $60 for the first night and $30 for each additional night.
    • Telescope Rental Program
      Rents telescopes to the public for $60 for the first night and $30 for each additional night.
    • Used Astronomical Equipment Sales
      Sells used telescopes and accessories.
    • Used Astronomical Equipment Sales
      Sells used telescopes and accessories.
    • Used Astronomical Equipment Sales
      Sells used telescopes and accessories.
  • Optical Cleaning and Alignment Services 13 activities
    • Astronomical Equipment Cleaning and Restoration
      Provides cleaning and restoration services for astronomical equipment, with pricing ranging from $100 to $500 depending on the scope of work.
    • Astronomical Equipment Cleaning and Restoration
      Provides cleaning and restoration services for astronomical equipment, with prices ranging from $100 to $500.
    • Astronomical Equipment Cleaning and Restoration
      Provides cleaning and restoration services for astronomical equipment, with prices ranging from $100 to $500.
    • Astronomical Equipment Cleaning and Restoration
      Provides cleaning and restoration services for astronomical equipment, with prices ranging from $100 to $500.
    • Optical Alignment and Collimation Services
      Provides optical alignment and collimation services for $25.
    • Optical Alignment and Collimation Services
      Provides optical alignment and collimation services for $25.
    • Optical Alignment and Collimation Services
      Provides optical alignment and collimation services for astronomical instruments at a cost of $25 per session.
    • Optical Alignment and Collimation Services
      Provides optical alignment and collimation services for $25.
    • Optical Cleaning Services
      Offers optical cleaning services for $30.
    • Optical Cleaning Services
      Offers optical cleaning services for $30.
    • Optical Cleaning Services
      Offers optical cleaning services for $30.
    • Optical Cleaning Services
      Offers optical cleaning for telescopes and related equipment at a cost of $30 per service.
    • Optical Equipment Maintenance Services
      Provides cleaning, restoration, optical alignment, and collimation services for astronomical equipment, with pricing ranging from $25 to $500 depending on service complexity.
  • Youth Merit Badge Program Support 10 activities
    • Private Astronomical Lessons
      Offers private lessons for $60 per hour, including video chat options.
    • Private Astronomical Lessons
      Offers private lessons for $60 per hour, including video chat options.
    • Private Astronomical Lessons
      Offers private lessons for $60 per hour, including video chat options.
    • Private Astronomy Lessons and Events
      Offers private astronomy lessons for $60 per hour (including video chat options) and organizes private stargazing events for up to 10 people at a cost of $500 for 2.5 hours.
    • Private Astronomy Lessons and Events
      Offers private astronomy lessons for $60 per hour (including video chat options) and organizes private stargazing events for up to 10 people at $500 for 2.5 hours.
    • Private Instruction Services
      Offers private astronomy lessons for $60 per hour, including remote options via video chat.
    • Private Stargazing Events
      Organizes private stargazing events for up to 10 people for 2.5 hours at a cost of $500.
    • Private Stargazing Events
      Organizes private stargazing events for up to 10 people for 2.5 hours at a cost of $500.
    • Private Stargazing Events
      Organizes private stargazing events for up to 10 people for 2.5 hours at a cost of $500.
    • Private Stargazing Events
      Organizes private stargazing events for up to 10 people, lasting 2.5 hours, priced at $500 per event.
  • Therapeutic STEAM Education 6 activities
    • STEAM Engagement for Youth Mental Health
      Engages young people in Pima County in STEAM through astronomy to help manage stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
    • STEAM Engagement for Youth Mental Health
      Engages young people in Pima County in STEAM through astronomy to help manage stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
    • STEAM Engagement for Youth Mental Health
      Engages young people in Pima County in STEAM through astronomy to help manage stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
    • STEAM-Based Youth Mental Health Engagement
      Engages young people in STEAM through astronomy as a therapeutic tool to help manage stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts among youth in Pima County.
    • STEAM-Based Youth Mental Health Engagement
      Engages young people in Pima County in STEAM activities centered on astronomy to help manage stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
    • Youth STEAM Engagement Through Astronomy
      Engages young people in STEAM education through astronomy-based activities aimed at supporting mental health, including reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts among participants in Pima County.
  • Youth Space Education Sponsorships 6 activities
    • Youth Space Camp Sponsorship
      Sponsors youth attendance at Space Camp using funds from membership donations.
    • Youth Space Camp Sponsorship
      Sponsors youth attendance at Space Camp, funded through membership donations.
    • Youth Space Camp Sponsorship
      Sponsors youth attendance at Space Camp, funded through membership donations.
    • Youth Space Camp Sponsorship
      Sponsors youth attendance at Space Camp, funded through membership donations.
    • Youth Space Camp Sponsorship Program
      Sponsors youth attendance at Space Camp through membership donations, providing access to space and science education experiences for young people.
    • Youth Space Camp Sponsorship Program
      Sponsors youth attendance at Space Camp through membership donations, providing educational and inspirational opportunities in space and astronomy for young people.
  • Astronomical Observatories & Public Stargazing Facilities 4 activities
    • Nighttime Stargazing Events
      Offers guided nighttime stargazing events using multiple telescopes and binoculars.
    • Nighttime Stargazing Events
      Offers guided nighttime stargazing events using multiple telescopes and binoculars.
    • Nighttime Stargazing Events
      Offers guided nighttime stargazing events using multiple telescopes and binoculars.
    • Public Nighttime Stargazing Events
      Hosts guided nighttime stargazing events using multiple telescopes and binoculars, led by a tour guide.
  • Member-Focused Social Events 1 activity
    • Fundraising Galas and Special Events
      Hosts fundraising events such as the Sparkle & Shine Masquerade Galaxy Gala to support organizational programs.
  • Charity Galas and Auctions 1 activity
    • Hosted Fundraising Galas
      Hosted the Sparkle & Shine Masquerade Galaxy Gala on September 29, 2023, as a fundraising event.
  • Uncategorized 22 activities
    • Camping Resources
      Provides star charts and books for camping.
    • Camping Resources
      Provides star charts and books for camping.
    • Camping Resources
      Provides star charts and books for camping.
    • Cosmic Art Activities
      Facilitates art sessions where participants observe celestial objects through telescopes and create paintings based on their observations.
    • Cosmic Art Activities
      Facilitates cosmic art activities where participants view celestial objects and paint their observations.
    • Cosmic Art Activities
      Facilitates cosmic art activities where participants view celestial objects and paint their observations.
    • Cosmic Art Activities
      Facilitates cosmic art activities where participants view celestial objects and paint their observations.
    • Cosmic Art and Astrophotography Programs
      Facilitates cosmic art activities where participants view celestial objects and paint their observations, and offers astrophotography experiences allowing participants to capture and print images of the cosmos.
    • Cosmic Art and Astrophotography Programs
      Facilitates cosmic art activities where participants view celestial objects and paint their observations, and offers astrophotography experiences allowing participants to capture and print images of the night sky.
    • Daytime Solar Viewing
      Provides daytime solar viewing experiences using advanced solar telescopes to observe the sun.
    • Daytime Solar Viewing
      Provides daytime solar viewing experiences using advanced solar telescopes to observe the sun.
    • Daytime Solar Viewing
      Provides daytime solar viewing experiences using advanced solar telescopes to observe the sun.
    • Daytime Solar Viewing Program
      Provides safe solar observation experiences using advanced solar telescopes to view the sun during daylight hours.
    • Educational Resource Provision
      Provides star charts and astronomy-related books to support camping and outdoor educational activities.
    • Educational Resource Provision
      Provides star charts and astronomy-related books to support camping and outdoor stargazing activities.
    • Nighttime Astrophotography Experiences
      Offers nighttime astrophotography experiences, allowing participants to capture and print images of the cosmos.
    • Nighttime Astrophotography Experiences
      Offers nighttime astrophotography experiences, allowing participants to capture and print images of the cosmos.
    • Nighttime Astrophotography Experiences
      Offers nighttime astrophotography experiences, allowing participants to capture and print images of the cosmos.
    • Nighttime Astrophotography Experiences
      Offers hands-on astrophotography sessions where participants capture images of celestial objects and receive printed copies of their photos.
    • Provision of Star Charts and Astronomy Books
      Provides star charts and astronomy-related books for use during camping and outdoor activities.
    • Public Stargazing and Solar Viewing Events
      Hosts nighttime stargazing events with multiple telescopes and binoculars guided by a tour guide, and offers daytime solar viewing using advanced solar telescopes to observe the sun safely.
    • Public Stargazing and Solar Viewing Events
      Hosts nighttime stargazing events with telescopes and binoculars guided by a tour guide, and offers daytime solar viewing using advanced solar telescopes to safely observe the sun.
financials · form 990 · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$281K
Contributions & grants$281K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$10%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$287K
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineOther
balance sheet
Total assets$50K
Cash$14K
Investments$0
Liabilities$1K
Net assets$49K
Liquid reserves0.6 mo
1 years on record · 2022–2022
relationships · 6

who they work with

  • Andrew Aragon Partner — Founding member since 2020 supporting the organization through sustained membership.
  • Erin & Edward Hall Partner — Founding members since 2020 supporting the organization through sustained membership.
  • Kathleen Pickerel Partner — Rocket Level member supporting the organization through monthly donations.
  • Katie Wright Partner — Astronaut Level member supporting the organization through monthly donations.
  • Paul & Katie Wright Partner — Founding members since 2020 supporting the organization through sustained membership.
  • The Putney School Partner — Supports the work of REACH FOR THE STARS