Endowment
The stated mission of the Meteoritical Society is "to promote research and education in planetary science with emphasis on studies of meteorites and other extraterrestrial materials that further our understanding of the origin and history of the solar system."
The Endowment Fund was established to further these goals. The majority of the Endowment consists of the General Endowment Fund which can support one-time activities that are not part of normal Society business. The Endowment Fund also has Named Individual Funds that support specific awards: the Nier Fund, the McKay Fund, the O. Richard Norton Fund, the Jessberger Fund, and the TIM Fund.
The Society welcomes Gifts and Contributions to all of the above funds. Our ability to support the many awards, as well as outreach to the broader community, travel assistance for early career researchers, and assistance to scientists in economically disadvantaged countries, depends on the continuing generosity of Society members.
The Society is able to support appropriate activities through Grants from the General Endowment Fund. We provide general Endowment Fund Grants for a wide range of projects. A new program to provide Research Grants for early-career researchers began in 2023. You can read about some of the recent projects we have supported here.
Governance and Tax Information
The Treasurer of The Meteoritical Society and the Endowment Committee provide oversight of the Endowment Fund. The Endowment Committee is also responsible for recommending expenditures from the General Endowment Fund. Final approval of expenditures is made by Council.
The Meteoritical Society is recognized by the United States Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization (tax number 90-0870450) operating from the Society Treasurer's Office. A copy of the Society's IRS certification of tax exemption can be obtained from the Treasurer.