The ACSM Foundation is organizationally structured as independent from ACSM but with the objective of supporting and advancing the mission and strategic plan of ACSM. To accomplish this goal, the foundation shepherds 25 funds, with a total value over $3.2 million. Over the past two years, the ACSM Foundation has updated all governance documents (bylaws and constitution) and refined spend plans for each of the funds. Some funds were created with a limited lifespan and designed to spend down until gone, but most have been set up as endowments in which only 4% is distributed per year for its defined purpose. This endowment philosophy ensures ACSM’s legacy in perpetuity.
A critical ACSM Foundation goal is to operate with full transparency and increase ACSM membership awareness of foundation good works, as well as provide members with the opportunity to participate and contribute to the continued legacy of ACSM. Foundation funds allow for specific research and program grants; travel awards; and diversity, leadership and training awards.
As you look through the myriad funding opportunities available, you will see that each has a defined focus (e.g., cancer, epidemiology, athletics, nutrition, women’s health, Exercise Is Medicine®, biomechanics) or audience (e.g., graduate students, clinicians, international members). The ACSM Foundation is always open to new growth opportunities that expand the mission and opportunities for our members. With future development, the foundation intends to offer an open-ended platform that will allow ACSM membership to apply annually for 4% of the unrestricted monies available for opportunities and ideas that do not fit into existing funding awards.
Moving forward, growth and expansion of the ACSM Foundation is our wish to better support the mission and strategic plan of ACSM. This will be accomplished by continued reinvestment of ACSM into the foundation on an annual basis as well as targeted opportunities and visions led by ACSM Foundation corporate and fellow board members. We would love to hear your ideas too!
You too can help grow the ACSM Foundation and leave a personal legacy! Because a percentage of every gift is distributed in perpetuity, your donation (large or small) will continue beyond your career and lifetime. Wouldn’t it be amazing if every ACSM member contributed each year? This would provide unparalleled benefits and goodness in our field for generations to come.
Mark Hutchinson, MD, FACSM, is the ACSM Foundation president as well as professor of orthopaedics and sports medicine and head team physician at the University of Illinois-Chicago, where he has been on the faculty since 1993. Dr. Hutchinson has annually been named Best Doctor or Top Doctor in the greater Chicagoland area for over a decade and has received numerous awards for both clinical practice and teaching. He has also had the privilege to serve as volunteer physician for the United States Olympic Committee at the Paralympic Games, the Pan Am Games and two World University Games, as well tours of service with USA Basketball, USA Gymnastics, USA Field Hockey and USA Soccer. He was formerly the head team doctor for the WNBA Chicago Sky for its first four seasons.
