Donation Opportunities
Empower Entomology
Every day, entomologists work to protect food security, reduce vector-borne disease, manage invasive species, and preserve Earth’s biodiversity. And every day, ESA empowers that effort by fostering collaboration, connection, and knowledge sharing for the entomology community.
Your support moves our mission forward to promote opportunities for entomologists and enable them to share their science globally. A donation to ESA powers a variety of programs that grow insect science: education, meetings, publications, workforce development, government advocacy, awards and travel grants, and so much more.
Learn more below about the goals that you can support, and find additional resources about monthly giving or planned giving.
ESA is proud to have earned the Silver Seal of Transparency from Candid, demonstrating our commitment to transparency and accountability in the use of your donations.
ESA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 52-0622480). All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please retain your donation receipt for tax purposes.
Invest in Insect Science
Your contribution to the Entomology Advancement Fund (formerly General Fund) strengthens ESA’s core mission by supporting activities and programs such as our annual meeting, publications, science communication, and awards.
These unrestricted gifts support ESA’s foundational strength and provide maximum impact by ensuring ESA can serve the entomological community where it is needed most. Every contribution, small or large, has a positive impact.
Support an award.
A gift of at least $25 can help us to recognize a promising early career professional’s distinguished contributions to entomology, through the Awards and Honors programs.
Showcase stories in American Entomologist.
A gift of at least $50 can support the production and distribution of our member magazine, American Entomologist, putting meaning into our strategic principle of sharing insect science.
Share science.
A gift of at least $100 can help bring an invited speaker to the Annual Meeting by offsetting a portion of their travel and participation costs.
Many Ways to Give
Every gift to ESA is an investment in the future of insect science. You can empower entomology in a variety of ways:
Make a One-Time Donation.
Make an immediate impact with a donation today.
Set Up a Monthly Gift.
Show your ongoing commitment to empowering entomology with a monthly recurring gift. Simply choose “every month” on our donation form.
Join the President’s Circle.
Become more than just an ESA member. Join as a member of the President’s Circle and add a donation equal to your membership dues.
Leave a Lasting Legacy.
Put ESA in your long-term giving plans through a retirement plan gift or naming ESA in your will or living trust.
More Ways to Make an Impact
Science Advocacy and Policy
The ESA-Ramaswamy Science Advocacy Program Fund supports and grows ESA's efforts to connect entomologists with policymakers in Washington, DC. The fund was launched in 2023 by ESA Fellow (2005) and Honorary Member (2019) Sonny Ramaswamy and his wife Gita.
Amplify the voice of science in policy making and ensure that decisions affecting ESA and its members are guided by evidence and expertise.
Briefing papers for lawmakers.
A gift of at least $25 can help fund briefing materials and policy guides that prepare a Science Policy Fellow for meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Get entomologists to D.C.
A gift of at least $50 helps cover part of the travel costs for a Science Policy Fellow to visit Washington, D.C., and engage directly with federal policymakers.
Teach Congress about IPM.
A gift of at least $100 can help offset the costs of organizing topical briefings for members of Congress and their staff on the importance of entomological science, research, and funding.
Inspire Young Minds
The Chrysalis Fund supports insect education efforts in classrooms to expand the public appreciation of insects and foster the next generation of entomologists.
Grants from the fund are managed by ESA's Education and Outreach Committee, which selects winning projects each year. Teachers and educators with impactful and creative ideas for insect-themed programs or projects are encouraged to apply for funding.
Collecting nets for kids.
A gift of at least $25 can spark a student’s curiosity by supporting a grant to provide essential insect science materials, such as butterfly nets, inspiring the next generation of entomologists in the classroom.
Teach students about disease vectors.
A gift of at least $50 can support grants for interactive education, such as a mosquito control card game for middle schoolers developed by the Jacksonville Mosquito Control Division, a 2025 Chrysalis Fund beneficiary.
Microscopes in classrooms.
A gift of at least $100 can support grants for purchasing specimens and other advanced supplies for students who have never explored insects up close, such as “Insects, Spiders, and other Friends” at the Columbia Gorge Museum, a 2025 Chrysalis Fund beneficiary.
Member Support
Your donation to the Member Support Fund assists members who have faced a recent job loss or other employment disruption. The fund supports ESA membership dues, allowing beneficiaries to maintain access to ESA member benefits.
The Society will match each donation up to $25,000, doubling your impact and providing a potential total of $50,000 in member support.
Support a student.
A gift of at least $25 can help one student maintain their ESA membership for a year, keeping them connected to entomology resources and the community.
Support an early career professional.
A gift of at least $50 can ensure an early career professional who has faced a recent job loss has continued access to ESA’s professional development and networking opportunities.
Support a long-time member.
A gift of at least $100 can keep a regular ESA member engaged, with your impact doubled through matching contributions.
Certification Program
Your donation to the Certification Fund supports the professional certification of entomologists through the Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) and Board Certified Entomologist (BCE) programs.
This fund offsets operational costs in the credentialing of the ACE and BCE certification programs and helps raise professional standards in the field.
Workforce development.
A gift of at least $25 can help launch a student’s career by covering their application costs for the BCE Intern Program.
IPM training for PMPs.
A gift of at least $50 may fund materials and administration for ACE certification, helping a pest management professional (PMP) demonstrate their expertise.
Online training.
A gift of at least $100 allows us to fund the infrastructure for ACE and BCE certification online training, giving an entomologist better visibility, opportunities, and jobs.
SysEB Student Research Endowment
The SysEB Student Research Endowment is a permanent endowment that provides research-enhancement awards for graduate and undergraduate students who are members in good standing of the Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity (SysEB) Section of ESA. Awards are made annually through a competitive, proposal-based process managed by the SysEB Section leadership.
McPherson Student Biodiversity Award Endowment
This fund supports the J. E. and Jean M. McPherson Entomology Undergraduate and Graduate Student Biodiversity Awards, which supports research in a multitude of biodiversity fields, particularly non-taxonomic studies. You can make a meaningful difference for students pursuing insect science-related degrees by supporting this fund.
MUVE Award Endowment
The MUVE Award Endowment ensures long-term support for awards for members of the ESA Medical, Urban, & Veterinary Entomology Section. Money donated is invested for growth, with a small percentage of the fund (4%) used exclusively to fund MUVE awards for student and professionals.