Donate to SOGIEcon
“I wish the world could be like this every day.”
– Youth Participant
Your donation makes more days like this possible.
Youth registration fees at SOGIEcon are kept intentionally low, because we never want cost to be the reason a young person can’t attend. However, the true cost of transporting a student and putting them through a day of conference programming is far higher than what families and schools pay.
This gap is filled by donors. People and organizations who believe that every LGBTQIA+ young person deserves to walk into an enormous room full of peers and know, maybe for the first time, that they are not alone. It could be a day that changes their life.
Ways to Give
One-Time Donation
Any amount makes a difference and can help youth who want to attend SOGIEcon but can’t afford it. Your contribution goes directly toward SOGIEcon at UConn, and any remaining funds will support UConn activities related to future SOGIEcon events.
Reoccurring Gift
Consider setting up a monthly or annual gift to SOGIEcon. Recurring donors provide the stable, predictable funding that helps us plan further in advance and serve more students each year.
With your one-time donation or recurring gift, you may also want to consider:
Giving in Honor or Memory
Make a gift in honor of an LGBTQIA+ person in your life, or in memory of someone whose story deserves to be carried forward. Honoree gifts can be acknowledged in conference materials upon request.
Employer Matching
Many employers match charitable contributions made by their employees, sometimes doubling or tripling the impact of your gift. Check with your HR department to find out if your company participates in a matching gift program.
These options may be selected on our giving page. If you have any questions, please feel free to rainbowcenter@uconn.edu. Your gift will be received by The University of Connecticut Foundation, Inc., a Connecticut non-profit and a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization that exclusively benefits UConn. All contributions are subject to certain administrative fees that support Foundation operating expenses and other priorities determined by the University unit receiving the gift. You may contact us or obtain a copy of our financial report at 2390 Alumni Drive, U-3206, Storrs, CT 06269, 800-269-9965, or www.foundation.uconn.edu. The Foundation is registered to solicit charitable contributions with the appropriate governing authorities in all states requiring registration. For additional state solicitation disclosures click here. REGISTRATION WITH A STATE AGENCY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
Planned Giving
If you are interested in including SOGIEcon in your estate planning or making a major gift, please email giftplanning@foundation.uconn.edu. We would be honored to speak with you about the lasting impact a planned gift can have on generations of LGBTQIA+ youth.
In-Kind Contributions
SOGIEcon gratefully accepts in-kind contributions that support the conference experience. Past in-kind support has included printing and signage, food and beverages, conference bags and giveaways, technology and AV support, and accessibility services. Please email us at rainbowcenter@uconn.edu to discuss how your organization can contribute.
Where Your Money Goes
Accessible Attendance
Fee Waivers directly offset the cost of conference registration for students who could not otherwise attend. Every gift increases our ability to provide fee waivers for a young people who needs this experience most. This is the highest-impact use of individual donations.
Transportation Support
Many students attend SOGIEcon on school-organized field trips, with buses arranged and paid for by their schools or districts. But not every school can cover that cost. Fee waivers help bridge the gap for schools and students who would otherwise be left out.
Accessible Programming
SOGIEcon is committed to full accessibility, which means sign language interpreters, live captioning, mobility accommodations, and more. These services are expensive and non-negotiable. Donations help ensure we never have to choose between inclusion and budget.
Youth Programming & Performers
The keynote performers, artists, and youth-centered programming that make SOGIEcon feel different from any other conference require dedicated funding. Donations support stipends for performers and presenters who bring this experience to life.
“Yes, this truly was a remarkable experience. I am so proud and beyond grateful to have been a part of it especially with this incredible group of people. … Our students and staff are forever grateful. Thank you everyone for making this possible for our students to participate and enjoy. There are no words to describe the profound effect this event had on our students and staff that attended. I was struck by the courage and bravery our students had to share their story and offer all of us hope during this time. I was brought to tears by our students supporting each other and feeling heard. I hope this experience is one we all hold on to as a reminder that no one can tell us who we are and that we aren’t going anywhere.”