# Scientific (non-medical) charities? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 11, 2012, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-non-medical-charities/634438 "2012-09-11T22:33:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-non-medical-charities/634438/1 "2012-09-11T22:33:44Z")
Working on our life insurance paperwork today, I realized that my third beneficiary (after my wife and daughter, of course!) is left blank. I remember the agent asking me to fix this, but didn’t do so as, well, you know… life. 😉 Anyway, I’m looking for some “charities” (for want of a better word) that meet the following criteria: Scientific … but not medical-related Research or exploration based … “charities” that are forward-looking are more my style than charities that are dealing with current problems … FYI, my biggest scientific interests are space/astronomy/cosmology related For example, a reputable group that is, say, looking for ways to mine asteroids would be great. For all I know, there’s very little out there that meet the above criteria. But I doubt it - and I only need _one_. Any suggestions? Favorite groups that meet the above criteria? Other thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-non-medical-charities/634438/2 "2012-09-11T23:17:05Z")
I went to Charity Navigator and searched for “space.” Lots came up, including [Carnegie Institution for Science](http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3424). Has great ratings. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-non-medical-charities/634438/3 "2012-09-11T23:20:04Z")
Thanks for the link, **araminty**! ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-non-medical-charities/634438/4 "2012-09-11T23:27:22Z")
I’m a scientist. And poor. Just sayin’… ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-non-medical-charities/634438/5 "2012-09-11T23:45:38Z")
Planetary Society? [http://www.planetary.org/](http://www.planetary.org/) Brian ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-non-medical-charities/634438/6 "2012-09-12T00:07:23Z")
The space sciences, astronomy or physics department of your favorite university? [These folks](http://www.astro.cornell.edu/) would be happy to put your life insurance towards the next Mars rover. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-non-medical-charities/634438/7 "2012-09-18T13:48:26Z")
Thanks, everybody, for your suggestions. I have decided to make the third beneficiary the [X-Prize Foundation](http://www.xprize.org/prize-development), specifying that the funds be earmarked for their Exploration division. Again, thanks to all of you for your suggestions, especially to **araminty** ’s Charity Navigator link. ---
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-non-medical-charities/634438/8 "2012-09-27T16:50:32Z")
How about the [SETI Institute](http://www.seti.org/)? J. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-non-medical-charities/634438/9 "2012-09-27T20:33:42Z")
Your local public television station?