Giving Societies
Nautilus Society
As a Shedd Aquarium supporter, you are deeply involved with the animals, the conservation efforts, the educational opportunities and the inspiring experiences that support Shedd’s mission every day.
By becoming a part of our Nautilus Society, you can create a legacy ensuring that what you love most about Shedd will endure into the future. Your legacy gift will provide your loved ones with generations of Shedd memories while also addressing your financial goals.
We can help you learn about ways to make a legacy gift — and a lasting difference — through
• Bequest
• Retirement plan assets or IRAs
• Life insurance
• Charitable gift annuity
• Charitable remainder trust
• Charitable lead trust
Share Your Legacy
Please let us know if you've already included a gift for Shedd Aquarium. Providing us with documentation is the best way to ensure that your gift is used in the way you intend.
Aquarium Council
Aquarium Council members are a group of committed supporters, animal enthusiasts and nature lovers who support Shedd’s mission to spark compassion, curiosity and conservation for the aquatic animal world. They believe wildlife and wild places are worth protecting. Their annual generosity catalyzes transformative change for the evolving world around us and on behalf of our great blue planet.
Aquarium Council Membership Benefits
Your annual membership unlocks VIP access to Shedd, allowing you to look nature in the eye while helping communities here, there and everywhere to be transformed by Shedd’s mission and vision.
Benefits include:
- Free and unlimited entry to all aquarium exhibits
- VIP parking assistance
- Concierge-like visit coordination and ticket setup
- Private invitations to Spark Sessions – special and dynamic onsite programming that changes throughout the year
- Invitation to exclusive events throughout the year, including education events with Shedd experts and leading external experts
- Family-friendly perks, including early access to learning programs
- Early access to the Shedd Adventures travel program
Aquarium Council Membership Levels
Aquarium
Giving amount: $1,500
One personalized, private tour of Shedd per year.
$1,443 of this gift is tax-deductible.*
The estimated fair-market value of goods and services associated with this membership level is $57.
Fellow
Giving amount: $2,500
One special behind-the-scenes tour per year.
$2,320 of this gift is tax-deductible.*
The estimated fair-market value of goods and services associated with this membership level is $76.
Guardian
Giving amount: $5,000
One special up-close interaction with an animal per year.
$4,820 of this gift is tax-deductible.*
The estimated fair-market value of goods and services associated with this membership level is $180.
Conservator
Giving amount: $10,000
One lunch and special tour with a Shedd expert per year.
$9,760 of this gift is tax-deductible.*
The estimated fair-market value of goods and services associated with this membership level is $240.
*FMV evaluation as of January 1, 2023. Please refer to your official tax receipt for details of your gift. If you need another copy of this acknowledgment, please email donorservices@sheddaquarium.org.
The Impact of Your Giving
$2,500
could help provide more immersive experiences.
With memorable activities like interactive touch experiences and exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of aquatic habitats – you help bring more people up close and personal with underwater life.
$15,000
could help us provide the best care for our animals.
Your donation helps ensure every animal at Shedd continues to receive world-class care.
$65,000
could help conservation efforts around the world.
Your support would aid with specialized care for animals in need, provide support for important conservation efforts or protect endangered species.
*Please note that these examples are for illustration purposes only and actual gift amounts may differ. Please contact our team to see the impact you can make possible.
Dive into Your Impact
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