Giving FAQ

Common Questions about The Plastic Surgery Foundation

What is The Plastic Surgery Foundation?
The Plastic Surgery Foundation (The PSF) supports the research and international activities of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) members. The PSF works in concert with the Society to fund research, support members' volunteer surgical activities and foster international outreach.

What does The PSF do?
The PSF's mission is to improve the quality of life of patients through research and development. The PSF accomplishes its mission by supporting research through a variety of grant programs. The PSF also fosters the education of plastic surgeons by sponsoring Visiting Professors and the International Scholar Program.

How much money has the Foundation given to research?
Since 2006, The PSF has funded 229 grants and awarded over 4 million dollars to support research projects across the specialty including:

  • Pioneering approaches to wound healing
  • Advancing craniofacial surgery and microsurgery
  • Identifying new insights in the use of reconstructive flap surgery
  • Examining nerve autografts
  • Preventing deep vein thrombosis
  • Studying the effectiveness of fat grafting
  • Enhancing composite tissue allotransplantation
  • Developing meaningful and reliable patient reported outcome instruments

Visit foundation the official e-newsletter of The PSF, to meet some of the researchers and learn more about how their emerging and ongoing research will impact plastic surgery.

How can I support The PSF and plastic surgery research?
There are several options for you to support our effots:

  1. You can make your donation using our secure online donation form.
  2. You may send a check in US Dollars to:
    The Plastic Surgery Foundation
    444 East Algonquin Road
    Arlington Heights, IL 60005
  3. To donate by phone, call Karen Craven at (800) 766-4955.

How will my donation be used?
Generous gifts from every ASPS member and our industry partners enable The PSF to:

  • Promote the next generation of researchers through seed grants that allows researchers to test scientific concepts specific to plastic surgery.
  • Support clinically relevant research that demonstrates best practices and better outcomes.
  • Provide research data that assures patients that they are receiving the best treatment.
  • Encourage efficacy through evidence-based medicine.
  • Develop clinical trial research networks.
  • Foster the career development of plastic surgeons by sponsoring Visiting Professors and the International Scholar Programs.

Is my gift tax-deductible?
The PSF is a 501(c) 3 organization. Your gift to the Foundation is fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Can I make a donation in honor or in memory of someone?
The PSF offers you a way to remember friends and loved ones through a Memorial Contribution or recognize a birthday, anniversary or a major accomplishment through an Honorarium. You can give your memorial honorary contribution via our online form or by phone, or mail. When making a gift in memory or honor, please include the name and address of the person(s) you would like notified of your contribution.

What is the National Endowment for Plastic Surgery?
The National Endowment for Plastic Surgery (NEPS) is a fund within The Plastic Surgery Foundation restricted to funding research and to ensuring the future of plastic surgery across the specialty. The NEPS enables The PSF to be proactive in identifying opportunities and responding to the changing demands on the specialty.

While annual donations enable The PSF to fund current research initiatives, gifts to the NEPS ensure a predictable stream of revenue that is especially important for research activities that cannot be easily started and stopped. All contributions to the Endowment are added to the principal of the fund, and remain there in perpetuity. Only the income generated by prudent investing of this principal is available to fund projects. Click here to learn more about how NEPS is supporting studies from across the specialty.

What is the Maliniac Circle? How can I become a Maliniac Fellow?
Many individuals have demonstrated their commitment to the future of plastic surgery by joining the Maliniac Circle. Maliniac Fellows have all committed $50,000 or more in cash or securities or have provided a minimum $100,000 deferred gift through such instruments as life insurance, a bequest or trust.

For more information about becoming a Maliniac Fellow, contact:

Karen Craven
Director of Development
(847) 228-3376
kcraven@plasticsurgery

Can I create a fund with a major gift for a special purpose?
The PSF is dedicated to supporting research grants, fellowship and scholarship awards, and international program activities. Click here to learn more about the gift opportunities currently approved for funding within the Foundation.

The Foundation also welcomes the opportunity to work with donors to identify other programs suitable to his or her interests. Call Karen Craven at (847) 228-3376 or email kcraven@plasticsurgery for more information.

Can I include The PSF or NEPS in my will or estate plans?
Many ASPS members have demonstrated their commitment to the future of plastic surgery by becoming members of the Maliniac Circle or by including The PSF or NEPS in their wills and estate plans. A well thought out planned gift can bring significant benefits to you as well as giving you the opportunity to give back to the medical specialty that means so much to you. Through a planned gift, you also may be able to make a much larger gift than you thought possible.

Contact Karen Craven at (847) 228-3376 or kcraven@plasticsurgery.org to discuss the variety of planned gift options.

Share with us: Why do you support The PSF?
Send your message to us at giving@plasticsurgery.org