Empower a Starfish Scholar with your donation during our annual bracket challenge!
While participation in our bracket group is free, a donation to The Starfish Foundation is strongly encouraged. We suggest $25 (USD) for 1 bracket group, or $40 (USD) for 2 bracket groups.
If you'd like to participate in our free bracket groups, join our CBS Sports groups via the buttons above and complete your bracket to indicate your predictions starting on the evening of Sunday, March 15th (when brackets are revealed). Make sure you fill out your bracket before 12 noon EDT on Thursday, March 19th for the men's tournament and Friday, March 20th for the women's tournament.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Starfish Bracket Challenge?
The Starfish Bracket Challenge is an opportunity to join with others in the Starfish community in predicting which U.S. college basketball teams will advance during the NCAA tournament! You don't need to be a basketball fan to participate. Just make a suggested donation, fill out your brackets for the men's and/or women's tournaments, and let the competitive fun begin (Plus, there are prizes!)
What are the key dates for participation?
The men's tournament runs from Tuesday, March 17th through Monday, April 6th.
The women's tournament runs from Wednesday, March 18th through Sunday, April 5th.
You can complete your bracket starting on the evening of Sunday, March 15th (when brackets are revealed).
Your men's tournament brackets must be completed by Thursday, March 19th at noon eastern and your women's tournament brackets must be completed by Friday, March 20th at noon eastern.
What does my donation support?
Donations support our programs in Ecuador which include scholarships, tutoring, and leadership development for youth in Flor de BastiĂłn facing systemic barriers. With increasingly violent civil unrest in Ecuador and gang activity in our neighborhood, Starfish is a critical place not only for academic advancement, but also a safe space for kids to be kids.
Is this donation tax deductible?
The Starfish Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record. We'll send it to you upon successful completion of your donation. (EIN 45-3805106)
Do I get a receipt?
Yes, we’ll send a receipt to the email address you provide when donating. The receipt will include your donation details, such as the date, amount, and any beneficiary information.
Can I donate even if I live in another country?
Yes! Donations can be made in over 100 currencies.
Will my employer match my donation?
Maybe! Write in your company when you register or make a donation and we will verify for you. Matching donations can mean that your donation is doubled or even tripled - at no extra cost to you! If you are using our donation form, you can choose your employer from the dropdown which will prompt an email from Amply with instructions on how to apply for a matching gift from your employer.
Is my donation secure?
Yes. Your security and privacy is our highest priority. We use industry-standard SSL technology to keep your information safe and secure.
How is my personal data handled?
Your personal data is processed in accordance with our privacy policy and also in accordance with the privacy policy of GoFundMe, our website partner.
