Introducing the Circle of the Sun – A Special Opportunity for ASES’ 70th Anniversary
All donations are fully tax-deductible.
As ASES celebrates 70 years of advancing solar energy, we have received questions from some Lifetime Members and donors about how to mark this anniversary and recognize more of the people who have brought us so far. In response, we’re excited to introduce a new initiative: the Circle of the Sun. The Circle of the Sun represents a community of visionary supporters who, like the sun, provide essential energy to power ASES’ mission. We envision a Circle of solar leaders, including those who are in or near retirement, as well as an inspired new generation of solar professionals and generous philanthropists who fuel our work and continue to widen the circle.
ASES was founded in 1954, the same year that Bell Labs patented the first silicon solar cell. This highly efficient photovoltaic material launched the solar industry and a period of endless opportunity and innovation. Today, ASES is focused on educating and building community to achieve a world equitably and sustainably transformed to 100% renewable energy. The initial vision for a solar industry was audacious, and our vision is similarly bold. But we are making history. Your contributions, both professional, personal, and financial, set the pace for ASES to achieve greatest goals. We hope you will act now on this invitation to join the Circle of the Sun.
Your generous support has already brought us to this momentous anniversary. By joining the Circle of the Sun, you can help fuel ASES’ next 70 years of leadership, innovation, and advocacy.
All donations are fully tax-deductible.
How You Can Join the Circle of the Sun
You can become part of this exclusive, ongoing community by donating $50/month or $500/year. Founding sponsor opportunities are available for those able to give at a higher level. Founding Sponsors can join with a one-time gift of $2,500 ($1,000 for Life Members). You may be distinguished as a Founding Sponsor, with the option to display your name or business logo on the Circle of the Sun program mailers and reports. All donations, including Circle of the Sun membership, are 100% tax deductible.
Exclusive Circle of the Sun Benefits
With your permission, your name will be proudly featured as a Circle of the Sun supporter in our flagship publication, Solar Today, and on the ASES website, showcasing your commitment to a sustainable future. We also plan to offer an optional survey of supporters so you can share a little bit of your solar story and your views on key turning points in the development of solar and of ASES itself. We would like this to become a springboard for a fully encompassing update to the ASES historical archive, contingent on the support of our sponsors. In the meantime, you will receive an ASES pin, certificate, ASES membership (or renewal), and a packet about ASES that you can use to share your lifelong passion for this cause.
Supporting observations:
- ASES has significant membership among a mix of long-time solar supporters and solar-professional retirees. A 2024 list of 10+ year members totaled over 1,000, including 400 Lifetime Members.
- Lifetime membership demonstrates a past commitment to ASES, but the financial impact and continued engagement benefits of lifetime membership can diminish over time. The relationship between lifetime members and ASES can be refreshed through regular giving.
- ASES has had requests in recent years from members who are late-career professionals, offering significant donations. This is partly in return for name-recognition.
- Support from leaders in solar fields supports ASES’s role as a keeper of the solar story. This role could be enhanced by a Circle of the Sun program.
- ASES also is identified as the only “big-tent” non-profit that is focused on solar energy, to achieve climate and social goals. It is a worthy challenge to serve a truly diverse membership–a democracy where citizen advocates can learn directly from esteemed scientists and industry players while those esteemed players also find inspiration and peer support.
- Members who pledge a legacy donation will also be encouraged and celebrated as members of the Circle.
Circle of the Sun Founding Sponsors
- Debbie Coleman
- Dave Ginley
- Kimberly Reene
- Robert Foster
- Paulette Middleton
- Dave Renne
- Robert Nelson
- R.Matthew Simon
- Mark Thornbloom
- Helen Kessler
- Frank & Jo Kelly
- Henry Vandermark
- Tom Rapini
- David Panich
Circle of the Sun Members
- Michael Brickey
- Richard Ames
- Louise Pape
- Kurt Guter
- Sally Fessler
- Norbert Lechner
Join the Circle of the Sun Donor Group
The Circle of the Sun encourages you to shine a light on the aspect of solar energy that is most important to you. While Life Membership provides steep discounts on ASES conferences and programs, the Circle of the Sun goes a step further and provides a platform from which you can promote your ideas, programs, and organization. The following are a few ways to shine a light on your solar passion and spotlight what is important to you:
– Create up to a 30-second video for ASES social media, webinars, and conferences
– Write up to a 100-word paragraph to be used in Solar Today, ASES social media, etc.
– Use of the Circle of the Sun logo on your website and marketing materials
– Create an hour-long educational webinar through one of the nine ASES Divisions – Education, Photovoltaics, Solar Buildings, Solar Thermal, Grid Modernization and Storage, Energy Economics, Sustainability, Policy, and Resource Applications.
