Frequently Asked Questions

Where is my donation going?

ILLUMINATE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims to alter the arc of human history through the creation of transformational works of public art. Our mission is to produce contemporary art with civic impact, social activation and global reach to stimulate a culture of generosity and collaboration.

ILLUMINATE’s flagship project is The Bay Lights. Your tax-deductible donation will help us create future awe-inspiring pieces of public art. Learn more about projects in process at ILLUMINATE.org.

How do I edit my personalized Bay Light?
Can I make changes to my dedication and photo once I save it?

The email you received from this web site, subject “The Bay Lights: Personalize Your Light”, includes a link to personalize your Bay Light. That link allows you to return to edit your light at any time.

Once you make your dedication, use the Search function of the site to find your light.

Where’s my certificate?

After donating, you should receive an email receipt, which will include your Personalized URL. You can download your certificate after completing or skipping personalization at that URL. If you’ve not recieved this email, please check your spam filters.

How can I share my light?

You can share your light in various ways via social media or through email using the share icons after you make your dedication or from the public light URL.

We would love you to share your light with as many people as possible. Remember there are only 25,000 available forever. #ShineItForward

I participated in the Gift Of Light. What happened to my original donation?

Gift of Light was a campaign in 2012 that raised funds for The Bay Lights planned installation that ran from 2013-2015. More than 2,500 people dedicated lights on the original Gift of Light platform. For posterity, those dedications continue to shine at the original Gift of Light.

Since the original installation ended and the old LEDs were removed from the Bay Bridge, ILLUMINATE has successfully led the effort to have The Bay Lights return as a permanent work of public art. This included negotiations with the Bay Bridge officials, second successful round of fundraising, and the installation of an entirely new and more robust set of LEDs on the Bay Bridge.

ILLUMINATE has deep gratitude for the original Gift of Light givers. We have honored each of them with the opportunity to dedicate a light on the new and permanent installation for free and forever, providing them with early access to the SHINE IT FORWARD platform before it went public.

Thanks to a wonderful partnership with Heroku/Salesforce, Shine It Forward has improved the speed and experience of the original Gift of Light experience. We hope you enjoy it. Thank you for continuing to shine with us.

Still have questions?

Please contact us at admin AT illuminate DOT org

Thank you for helping ILLUMINATE create new works of awe-inspiring public art.