Advancing What’s Possible Through a Commitment to Science and Society

Donor Stories

For Peter Lee (NAM ‘19), innovation has never followed a straight line. As head of Microsoft Science, he’s responsible for accelerating the pace of discovery in the physical, biological, and medical sciences through the use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. But what drives him isn’t just technological progress, it’s possibility.

Apr 7, 2026

Engineering the Future Through Generosity

Donor Stories

John Hallquist (NAE ‘07) has spent a lifetime advancing engineering innovation—and today, that same commitment is reflected most powerfully in his support of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the Beckman Center.

Feb 12, 2026

One Donor’s Path from Perseverance to Philanthropy

Donor Stories

Dianne Chong and her husband, David Squiers, support the National Academy of Engineering by creating a first-of-its-kind endowed fund to honor Dianne’s parents.

Jul 28, 2025

Historic $20 million Gift Honors the Legacy of a Visionary Scientist, Mentor, and Advocate for Science

Donor Stories

The National Academy of Sciences has received a $20 million donation from the family of Philip Needleman, an NAS and NAM member who passed away in 2024. The gift will support the NAS Frontiers of Science program and a new initiative to rapidly respond to national and global challenges with science at their core.

Apr 28, 2025

Honoring a Legacy of Mentorship

Donor Stories

An unwavering dedication to mentorship is why Leslie Yamada made a $1 million gift to the National Academy of Medicine to establish the Dr. Tachi Yamada Leadership Fund to carry on Tachi’s commitment to the next generation.

Apr 10, 2025

Empowering Innovation: A West Coast Hub for the NAE and the Engineering Community

Donor Stories

The Beckman Center is the West Coast hub for the National Academies, hosting events that inspire students toward STEM careers. The NAE is working to increase the Centers endowment to $10 million to ensure its long-term financial stability.

Mar 31, 2025

Pollard Legacy Gift Signals Bright Future for the National Academy of Sciences

Donor Stories

Jan 14, 2025

Gray Bequest Underscores Philanthropy’s Role in Achieving the National Academies’ Mission

Donor Stories

Dr. Joe W. Gray (NAM ‘11), Professor Emeritus at the Oregon Health and Science University, made a generous $1 million bequest to the National Academy of Medicine earlier this year.

Aug 12, 2024

A Legacy of Engineering Excellence: NAE Community Raises Over $5.3M in Honor of Wm. A. Wulf

Donor Stories

After the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) lost a cherished leader, mentor, and friend in the spring of 2023, the NAE community came together to raise over $5.3 million to honor Wm. A. "Bill" Wulf, former NAE President and pioneering computer scientist.

May 7, 2024

Madni Gift (Further) Advances Transdisciplinary Systems Engineering

Donor Stories

Azad M. Madni (NAE '21), recipient of the 2023 Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education (Gordon Prize), has generously designated his $250,000 prize winnings back to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), creating the Azad M. and Carla Madni Fund for Transdisciplinary Systems Engineering.

Jan 5, 2024

An Inspiration to Act

Donor Stories

The Jonathan B. Perlin MD and Donna J. Perlin MD Director of NAM Programs has been established at the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) through a generous gift from Jonathan B. Perlin and Donna J. Perlin. Jonathan B. Perlin.

Oct 23, 2023

Honoring the Contributions of Women to Science

Donor Stories

National Academy of Sciences (NAS) President Marcia McNutt, Vice President Diane Griffin, and Home Secretary Susan Wessler have jointly established a $1 million endowment fund to support National Academies’ activities on women in science. In recognition of their philanthropy, the area surrounding the Einstein Memorial at the NAS Building will be dedicated “in recognition of the contributions of women to science."

Apr 26, 2023

New Endowed Fund Honors Donors and Sustains Work of the NAE

Donor Stories

To celebrate his 5th anniversary of induction into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), Sridhar Tayur (NAE '17) and his wife Gunjan Kedia created the Sridhar Tayur and Gunjan Kedia Endowed Fund. This new fund provides critical unrestricted support to NAE activities and priorities that further the NAE’s mission of advancing the welfare and prosperity of the nation.

Oct 22, 2022

NAM Endowed Position Established by Academy Member Couple

Donor Stories

Jane E. Henney (NAM '00) and Robert "Bob" Graham (NAM '90) have always valued the professional experiences and personal friendships they’ve gained—during their more than 50 years of combined membership—at the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). That’s why Jane and Bob decided to build on their over 20 years of giving by endowing a position in the NAM’s Office of Membership and Governance–The Jane E. Henney Director of Membership and Governance—as part of the Academy’s $100M Campaign for the NAM.

Oct 17, 2022

Lending a Helping Hand to a New Generation

Donor Stories

For a Latvian Jew who survived World War II and the Holocaust when many of his family members, including his father and brother, didn’t, Edward Anders (NAS ’74) can relate—almost too closely—to the beneficiaries of the National Academies’ Scientists and Engineers in Exile or Displaced (SEED) program.

Oct 10, 2022

National Academy of Sciences Receives a $1.9 Million Legacy Gift

Donor Stories

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has received a $1.9 million unrestricted bequest from the estate of Mary Jane Osborn. This generous gift will be directed to the NAS unrestricted endowment and will provide critical ongoing support for a number of NAS activities, programs, and initiatives.

Oct 15, 2020