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Vantage: A Report on the Acoustical Society Foundation Fund
James H. Miller
One of the most important goals of the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) is to support and recognize its mem- bers, especially early in their careers. The Acoustical Society Foundation Fund (hereinafter referred to as the Fund) is the main channel for this support. With the gen- erosity of its donors, the Fund provides grants, honoraria, prizes, and other types of programs to these members.
To help the ASA community know more about their Fund and to also report to members on the Fund’s finances and activities, this article is the first in a series of annual reports in Acoustics Today. We decided to title the report
“Vantage” because we have a good view of where we have been and can also look forward. We are hoping that this new, longer format will allow more detailed information to be shared with the membership of the ASA.
First, I provide information about the Acoustical Society Foundation Board, financial performance of the Fund, expenditures, administrative expenses, the Campaign for Early Career Leadership (CAECL), a new initiative with business, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Fund. Then, I conclude with a brief description of some of the many ways in which the Fund supports the
ASA and its members.
The Acoustical Society Foundation Board
The Acoustical Society Foundation Board (hereinaf- ter referred to as the Board) manages the Fund for the Society by developing financial resources for strategic initiatives and special purposes. The Board is made up of dedicated, hard-working volunteers and consists of Anthony Atchley, Freddie Bell-Berti, David Feit, Ron Freiheit, John Hildebrand, Ed Okorn, Rich Peppin, ASA Treasurer Judy Dubno as an ex officio member, and me as Board chair. I want to thank our colleague Mahlon Burkhard who stepped down from the Board in 2019 after decades of service to the Society.
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The Board makes recommendations to the Executive Council about spending levels for each activity the Fund supports. The Board also solicits funds across the ASA and works with donors who wish to set up new programs and to make contributions to existing ones.
Financial Performance
Contributions in 2019 to the Fund from members and friends of the ASA totaled $94,326. In addition, gains from investments, interest, and dividends totaled $1,407,763. The ASA also transferred about $397,700 to the Fund and I discuss the transfer below. Expenses for the Fund were $413,619, which mostly included the awards and prizes, and the details of these expenses will be covered later. Net assets in the Fund at the end of 2019 were $10,462,143.
Fund Expenditures in Support of the Acoustical Society of America
Grants totaling $41,135 were awarded to students to
support their travel to ASA meetings in 2019. Support for student travel to ASA meetings is one of the most important activities of the Fund. The experience and con- nections made by the students with each other and with more senior members can change lives. The future of the Society is our young people and this investment in their careers will pay off for decades.
In 2019, the Fund was also very active in supporting the many activities of the Society. Awards and fellowships were given out by the Fund in the amount of $192,540 (Table 1). You can find details of each of these activities on the Fund web page (see acousticalsociety.org/foundation-fund). And, as an aside, after you look at these activities, think about any for which you or your students might apply.
In addition to the awards and prizes listed in Table 1, grants were provided by the Institute for Acoustics for the
Volume 16, issue 3 | Fall 2020 • Acoustics Today 77