  In the past 15 years, the number of known planets outside of our solar system
has grown from about 200 to more than 5000. During that time, we have conducted
one of the longest crowdfunding campaigns in history, a nonprofit adopt a star
program that supports astronomy research. The program includes the targets of
NASA space telescopes that are searching for planets around other stars, and it
uses the proceeds to help determine the properties of those stars and their
planetary systems. I summarize how this innovative program has evolved over the
years and engaged the public worldwide to support an international team of
astronomers.
