Discovery Society
The Salk Institute’s Discovery Society honors and celebrates a committed group of individuals who empower Salk’s worldrenowned scientists to pursue bold ideas, accelerate discoveries, and inspire solutions that improve lives. Members are essential partners in our mission to confront humanity’s greatest challenges—from cancer and Alzheimer’s disease to crop resilience and healthy aging.
Join the Discovery Society Today
Become part of an inspiring community dedicated to the power of science. Your support helps transform bold ideas into real-world solutions.
Giving Circles and Benefits
Recognition of annual support
Benefits include:
- Invitations to exclusive on-campus events, receptions, and faculty lectures with reserved seating and parking
- Invitations to intimate, faculty-led salons across the country
- Early access to major faculty news and publications
- Personalized annual impact report
- One-time or by-request VIP architecture tour
- One-time or by-request personalized research tour
- Salk-branded apparel (one time)
- Special recognition at all campus donor events
- Recognition in year-end Inside Salk magazine
Benefits include:
- Invitations to exclusive on-campus events
- Early access to major faculty news and publications
- One-time VIP architecture tour
- One-time personalized research tour
- Salk-branded apparel (one time)
- Special recognition at all campus donor events
- Recognition in year-end Inside Salk magazine
Benefits include:
- Invitations to exclusive on-campus events
- Early access to major faculty news and publications
- One docent-led architecture tour
Recognition of lifetime support
More information on lifetime support circles
Members may choose to support one or more of the following high-impact areas:
Areas of Greatest Need
Unrestricted support is one of the most powerful ways to fuel discovery. These funds allow Salk leadership to respond swiftly to emerging challenges, invest in high-potential opportunities, and provide essential resources that sustain a competitive research environment.
Technology
Salk’s cutting-edge Scientific Core Facilities offer shared access to sophisticated instruments and expert staff in genomics, stem cells, imaging, and more. These resources ensure that every lab—no matter its discipline or size—can leverage worldclass tools. Additionally, Salk is investing heavily in biocomputation technologies, including AI and machine learning, to empower data-driven discovery and unlock new dimensions of analysis.
Research
Supporting specific areas of research helps attract and retain top talent, foster collaboration across disciplines, and accelerate innovations that shape the future of science and medicine. Members can direct to one of four critical areas of research:
- Cancer biology and immunology
- Healthy aging and metabolism
- Neuroscience and Alzheimer’s disease
- Plant science and crop resilience
Architecture
Designed by founder Jonas Salk and architectural icon Louis Kahn, the Salk Institute is a globally recognized masterpiece—a place where form inspires function. Gifts to this area preserve the Institute’s architectural legacy and support the enhancement of campus spaces to foster creativity, collaboration, and innovation.