Support Spectrum360

Our non-profit organization is generously supported and funded by donors like you. Every dollar given makes an immediate impact on our students and adults’ lives at Spectrum360. From support services to staffing, we actively fundraise for our programs, capital campaigns and our endowment, putting every dollar back where it belongs — helping our students and adults succeed and thrive.

Respite
Activities

During respite, students age 8-21 and adult clients can share an overnight experience with peers, under the supervision and support of staff. Throughout the year, the respite overnight program offers them the opportunity to learn and apply social, self-help, daily living and communication skills. Donations help offset the costs of creating the experience and provide the support staff needed.

Program
Development

We recognize that as our students and adults grow, we must continue to bring new and innovative ways to help them along their journey. We invest in their future by funding our current enrichment programs such as FilmAcademy360, CulinaryAcademy360 programs and creating additional programs. Your donation allows us to offer these unique programs at a nominal cost to families.

Scholarships
Funds

Because we offer our students and adults the opportunity to participate in activities at-a-cost to our families, we understand that assistance may be required in times of financial hardship. Your donation allows us to continue to offer need-based support through scholarship to those families/caregivers.

Technology
Improvements

As technology advances, Spectrum360 frequently upgrades devices and software to provide the optimal programming to our students and adults. From smart boards to tablets, your donation helps us offset the costs of these upgrades and improvements.

Student Life

Electives, activities, sports and school clubs are an important part of a school experience. Donations help make possible things such as the school musical, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, our Cougars basketball and cheerleading teams, horticulture supplies, and much, much more.

Out-of-Pocket
Expenses

Because we aim for an exceptional level of service, our curriculum or lessons may need supplies or other support that is not covered. Your donation allows us to provide the best experience possible for our adults and students across every program.

Ways to give

Here are several ways you can help support Spectrum360.

Participate in our fundraising events:

Our ability to do anything to help the school to provide services for kids like my daughter who need the help and services that S360 provides, has been very rewarding.

Michael C., Parent

Walk for a Lifetime 2024 Happening Now

Spectrum360’s a Walk for a Lifetime brings together families, friends, staff, alumni, and community sponsors to show their support of the students and adults who attend Spectrum360.

9:00 am – Registration/Check in 
11:00 am – Opening Ceremony
11:15 am – Walking Begins

Early Bird Registration: $10 (before April 1st)

Registration: $20 (after April 1st)

June 9, 2024

Register

Spectrum360 on Tap Happening Now

Join us at the Glenbrook Brewery for a fantastic evening with great beer, delicious food and live music, all in support of Spectrum360 individuals and families affected by autism and related challenges.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW FOR THIS VERY SPECIAL NIGHT OUT!

Cost per person: $65

Includes: two drinks on us, food, entertainment, brewery tour, raffle and more.

April 25, 2024

Register

Fore the Kids Golf Tournament 2023

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 12th Annual Fore the Kids Golf Tournament. The event was a great success and raised over $100,000 to fund programs and services at Spectrum360! We could not have done it without the help of our supportive community, whose dedication to our mission of helping children and adults with autism means the world to us. Thank you for bringing sunshine and fun to the golf course in their honor.

We would love your feedback on the event, please fill out our survey linked here.

If you are interested in being a part of the planning committee next year, please contact kguzman@spectrum360.org. We would love to have your help.

Monday, August 21, 2023

60th Anniversary Hall of Fame Dinner

Big THANK YOU to our amazing Spectrum360 friends and families who made the Hall of Fame Dinner an unforgettable celebration last week! 

We marked 60 incredible years together, raising over $200,000 for our programs and services. 

The night was filled with fantastic performances by our talented students and adults, and we were moved by a beautiful story from a family in Independence360.

Thank you for all of your support, and see you next  year!

Donate

Other ways to give:

Planned Gifts

Fund the dreams! Help our students and adults become productive, independent members of the community. A planned gift is a contribution that’s arranged in the present and allocated at a future date. Commonly donated through a will or trust, your tax-deductible donation helps ensure the longevity of important Spectrum360 programs.

Contact Kerry Guzman, Development Director for assistance or next steps at  973-509-3050 x237 or kguzman@spectrum360.org.

Outright Gift of Appreciated Securities

Securities and mutual funds that have increased in value and been held for more than one year are one of the most popular assets to use when making a gift to Spectrum360.

Making a gift of securities or mutual funds to us offers you the chance to support our work while realizing important tax deductions and benefits for yourself. You can reduce or even eliminate federal capital gains taxes on the transfer. You may also be entitled to a federal income tax charitable deduction based on the fair market value of the securities at the time of the transfer.

Contact Kerry Guzman, Development Director for assistance or next steps at  973-509-3050 x237 or kguzman@spectrum360.org.

Donor-Advised Fund

A donor advised fund (DAF), which is like a charitable savings account, gives you the flexibility to recommend how much and how often money is granted to Spectrum360 and other qualified charities.

You can recommend a grant or recurring grants now to make an immediate impact or use your fund as a tool for future charitable gifts.

You can also create a lasting legacy by naming Spectrum360 the beneficiary of the entire account or a percentage of the fund. With a percentage, you can create a family legacy of giving by naming your loved ones as your successor to continue recommending grants to charitable organizations. Contact your fund administrator for a beneficiary form.

Contact Kerry Guzman, Development Director for assistance 973-509-3050 x237 or kguzman@spectrum360.org

Gifts of Securities & Annuities

There’s a way for you to support Spectrum360 and feel confident that you have dependable income in your retirement years. You can do this with a charitable gift annuity.

This type of donation can provide you with regular payments and allow us to further our work. You can also qualify for a variety of tax benefits, including a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize.

Contact Kerry Guzman, Development Director for assistance or next steps at  973-509-3050 x237 or kguzman@spectrum360.org.

Beneficiary Designations

Not everyone wants to commit to making a gift in their wills or estates. Some prefer the increased flexibility that a beneficiary designation provides by using: 

  • IRAs and retirement plans
  • Life insurance policies
  • Commercial annuities

It only takes three simple steps to make this type of gift. Here’s how to name Spectrum360 as a beneficiary:

  1. Contact your retirement plan administrator, insurance company, bank or financial institution for a change-of-beneficiary form.
  2. Decide what percentage (1 to 100) you would like us to receive and name us, along with the percentage you chose, on the beneficiary form.
  3. Return the completed form to your plan administrator, insurance company, bank or financial institution.

Contact Kerry Guzman, Development Director for assistance or next steps at  973-509-3050 x237 or kguzman@spectrum360.org.

Matching Gifts

Matching gifts are a type of corporate giving program in which companies financially match donations that their employees make to eligible nonprofit organizations. When an employee makes a donation, they’ll request the matching gift from their employer, who then makes their own donation. Companies usually match donations at a 1:1 ratio, but some will match at a 2:1, 3:1, or even a 4:1 ratio.

Contact Kerry Guzman, Development Director for assistance or next steps at  973-509-3050 x237 or kguzman@spectrum360.org.

Gifts-In-Kind

In-kind gifts are contributions of goods or services to enhance our buildings and programs or to be used to generate funds at our special event auctions. Examples of in-kind gifts include technology, entertainment or sports tickets, designer items, electronics, and trips. Are you a new local small business? Donating your goods or services gets your products out into the community during our events and supports our mission!

Contact Kerry Guzman, Development Director for assistance or next steps at  973-509-3050 x237 or kguzman@spectrum360.org.

Spectrum360 reserves the right to decide whether to accept gifts from an individual or an organization.

Start Your Own Fundraiser

Supporters can create their own challenges or organize their own activities to raise money for Spectrum360. Often, do-it-yourself fundraisers rely on social networks to solicit donations via the internet. 

Have an idea for a fundraiser? Are you a part of a group or club that would like to support Spectrum360? 

Learn More