Focus the Future of Microscopy
Through Your Gift
Microscopy transforms how we understand materials, biology, and medicine and the Microscopy Society of America exists to enable those discoveries for the benefit of humanity. Member dues and meeting revenues are essential, but they cannot by themselves sustain the scholarships, travel support, local society programs, and strategic initiatives that keep our community vibrant and innovative. Philanthropic gifts from individuals, companies, and partners provide the flexible resources that allow MSA to invest boldly in the next generation of microscopists and the tools they need to succeed.
When you give to MSA, you are not just supporting a society, you are investing in students, colleagues, and discoveries that will shape science for decades to come.
What your gift supports
Unrestricted donations to MSA will always be directed to the priority areas where support is most needed in our Society. Your donations breathe life into bold new ideas that benefit our entire community and support members’ initiatives that further our mission.
Your gift, at any level, directly supports people and programs across the microscopy community. MSA leadership stewards these funds to achieve the greatest impact including areas of greatest need, as well as used to support operations, including in several key areas.
Student and early career support
From undergraduate researchers to postdoctoral fellows, early career scientists rely on MSA for access, visibility, and community. Philanthropic support helps MSA:
- Provide travel awards so students and early career professionals can attend the Microscopy & Microanalysis meeting and present their work.
- Sustain and grow the Undergraduate Research Scholarship Program, which has supported more than 25 years of undergraduate research projects using microscopy techniques.
- Expand mentoring, leadership, and training opportunities through the Student Council and related programs.
Donations support student and early career development and ensures that promising microscopists are not turned away from opportunities due to cost.
Local societies and community
MSA's Local Affiliated Societies (LAS) are where many members first experience the power of a microscopy community close to home. Your support enables MSA to:
- Provide Grants-in-Aid and special meeting funding that help cover travel, equipment, and other essential costs for local and regional events.
- Strengthen connections among more than two dozen local societies nationwide, supporting new collaborations and shared programming.
Gifts help keep the grassroots of MSA strong and accessible to students, educators, and practitioners in their own regions.
Strategic initiatives and innovation
The Strategic Initiatives program funds bold, high impact projects that advance MSA's mission and would not be possible through operating funds alone. Donor support allows MSA to:
- Launch and scale innovative educational resources, workshops, and community?building efforts that align with the Society's strategic plan.
- Support high-risk, high-reward ideas with the potential to significantly benefit members and the broader microscopy community.
- Respond quickly to emerging opportunities - new technologies, methods, or partnerships - that require seed funding to test and grow.
Your gift supports strategic initiatives and you help MSA stay at the forefront of innovation in microscopy and microanalysis.
Scholarships, awards, and recognition
MSA's awards and scholarships recognize excellence while providing tangible support that keeps talented scientists in the field. Philanthropic contributions help MSA:
- Fund research scholarships, including the Undergraduate Research Scholarship Program and postdoctoral awards, that support stipends, supplies, and limited travel for microscopy-driven projects.
- Enhance onsite and meeting based awards that highlight outstanding presentations, posters, and technical achievements.
- Explore new recognition and support mechanisms to encourage diversity, inclusion, and emerging areas of microscopy.
Donations strengthen the Society's ability to reward excellence and open doors for a broader, more diverse community.
Ways to Give
You can support MSA in the way that best matches your goals and capacity.
- Unrestrcited Gifts. Provide MSA with maximum flexibility to address urgent needs and high-impact opportunities across all program areas.
- Recurring gifts. Set up a monthly, quarterly, or annual recurring gift to sustain MSA's work throughout the year.
- Dedication gifts. Make a gift in honor or memory of a mentor, colleague, or student who has made a difference in your career.
If you would like to discuss a major gift, endowment contribution, or corporate partnership, please contact MSA Staff to explore options aligned with your philanthropic goals and MSA's strategic priorities.
Stewardship and recognition
MSA is committed to responsible stewardship of every gift.
- The Microscopy Society of America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit scientific society; donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by U.S. law.
- Donors receive a confirmation receipt for tax purposes and, when desired, recognition in appropriate Society publications or reports.
If you prefer to give anonymously, MSA will honor your wishes.
Join us
For more than 80 years, MSA has brought together microscopists from around the world to share knowledge, develop new techniques, and train the next generation of scientists. Today's discoveries—and tomorrow's—depend on a strong, nimble Society that can invest in people and ideas when it matters most.
Your gift today helps ensure that MSA remains a global leader in microscopy education, research, and community for decades to come.
Microscopy Society of America, Inc. is a 501c3 charitable organization and contributions are tax deductible.
Help us build momentum by sharing your support using our Giving Buzz Kit - quick, easy, and designed to inspire others to join you: https://microscopy.org/MSA-Giving-Buzz-Kit
Through MSA, I learned not just science—but how scientists lead, collaborate, and build careers.
This program reminds us that science outreach doesn’t need to be complicated—just engaging, accessible, and filled with moments of wonder.
MSA helped me find my voice as a scientist when I was still learning how to share my work.
Since 1997, the Ugly Bug Contest has shown how a single image can spark scientific curiosity in even the youngest students.