In October 2018 meeting, the SSO Foundation (SSOF) Board and the SSO Executive Council unanimously approved a decision to transition all SSOF assets to the SSO Research and Education Fund, a restricted fund of the SSO, eliminating the operational expenses required to maintain SSOF as a separate 501(c)(3) corporate entity. Based on a recommendation by The SSOF Board, the SSO Executive Council approved that the use of the funds will be restricted for research (such as the existing Clinical Investigator Award or Young Investigator Award), education, or innovation.
This shift to a restricted fund ensures that 100% of donations will be used to support research grants and select educational programming, with no portion supporting operations. SSO has assumed responsibility for all expenses formerly funded by SSOF, including lectureships such as the James Ewing Lecture, travel awards such as the Harvey Baker Traveling Fellow Award, and all overhead and fundraising costs.
Efforts to secure private foundation and industry support to extend the ability of the new Fund to award research grants will be pursued. SSO members are encouraged to donate to this Fund and should feel confident knowing that 100% of every donation will be restricted to research grants and education programming, with no portion of the gift supporting operations. Make your gift today to demonstrate your commitment to supporting the surgeon scientist. If you are attending SSO 2019, you may donate on site by texting SSODONATE to 41444.