How to Support the Stearman Restorers Association Through Donations

The Stearman Restorers Association (SRA) accepts donations through two separate paths on its website: a general Donations section and a dedicated NSFI Donations option for the National Stearman Fly-In. Because the SRA is an independent "Not for Profit" 501(c)(3) corporation, gifts go toward its stated mission of preserving, restoring, and safely flying Stearman aircraft through member and public education. The site does not publish specific donation amounts, payment methods, or whether donations are tax-deductible, so confirm those details directly with the organization before giving.

Where donations fit in the SRA's structure

The SRA describes itself as dedicated to "the preservation, restoration, and safe flying of Stearman aircraft through the education of both members and the public," and says it is passionate about all models of Stearman biplanes. It reports over 1,000 members in 25 countries.

That mission statement is the clearest guide to what donations support: restoration and preservation work, safe flying, and educational activity for members and the public. The site does not itemize how donated funds are allocated, so treat any specific breakdown as something to ask the association about rather than assume.

The two donation entry points

The main menu lists Home, About Us, Join, News & Events, NSFI, Donations, Contact us. Donations and NSFI Donations are distinct items, which indicates the Fly-In has its own fundraising channel rather than being folded into general giving. If your interest is specifically the annual fly-in, the NSFI Donations path is the more targeted choice.

What the site does not tell you

The available page content does not include:

• Suggested or minimum donation amounts
• Accepted payment methods or platforms
• Whether donations are tax-deductible
• Any membership-versus-donation distinction in benefits

The 501(c)(3) designation is stated on the site, but the page evidence does not confirm deductibility language or receipt practices. If tax treatment matters to you, verify it with the SRA directly through the Contact us menu item.

Donating versus joining

Donations and membership are separate actions on this site. Joining the SRA is handled through the Join tab and comes with defined benefits: a one-year, three-year, or lifetime membership; The Flying Wire magazine, published quarterly in February, May, August, and November; and access to the Members Only section containing Forums, Knowledge Archive, Merchandise, and Classified Ads.

If what you want is the magazine, the forums, or the knowledge archive, membership is the route. If you simply want to support preservation and education work without member benefits, the Donations path fits that intent.

A practical way to decide

• You want the fly-in supported specifically → use NSFI Donations.
• You want general support for preservation and education → use Donations.
• You want member benefits like The Flying Wire or the Knowledge Archive → join instead, via the Join tab.
• You need amount, payment, or tax details → contact the SRA first; the site does not publish them.

One note for returning members: the site carries a notice that this is "the new site" and directs members to click for important log-in information, so the donation flow may sit behind the same membership software (Wild Apricot) that powers the rest of the site. Expect to interact with an account or login step rather than an anonymous one-click form, though the exact flow is not documented in the available content.