Loyalty giving: Discovery Society
Discovery Society is the Salk Institute’s premier loyalty program, celebrating individuals who empower Salk’s world-renowned 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.
A membership that Fuels Discovery
Joining the Discovery Society means joining a community of visionaries who believe deeply in the power of science to change the world. Help transform bold ideas into real-world solutions that will benefit generations to come today.
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
- By-request VIP architecture tour
- By-request personalized research tour
- Salk-branded apparel (one time)
- Special recognition at all campus donor events
- Recognition in year-end Inside Salk magazine
- New! Early access to Symphony at Salk tickets
Benefits include:
- Invitations to exclusive on-campus events
- Early access to major faculty news and publications
- One VIP architecture tour
- One personalized research tour
- Salk-branded apparel (one time)
- Special recognition at all campus donor events
- Recognition in year-end Inside Salk magazine
- New! Early access to Symphony at Salk tickets
Benefits include:
- Invitations to exclusive on-campus events
- Early access to major faculty news and publications
- One docent-led architecture tour
- New! Early access to Symphony at Salk tickets
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 world-class 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 their gift to any of the critical areas of research listed below:
- Cancer
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Healthy aging
- Plant science and more!
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.
Want to learn more about the Discovery Society? Contact Lucia Burrafato, Gift Officer, at lburrafato@salk.edu or by calling (858) 453-4100 x1467.