October 20, 2022

Dear alumni and friends of Jon,
We are requesting contributions to the “Jon Beckwith Social Issues in Biology Impact Fund.”
The fund is in honor of Jon, for his pioneering achievements, not only in science, but also in instilling social responsibility in scientists, including teaching a course on the subject for many years. This fundraising initiative is spearheaded by alumni of the Beckwith lab and friends of Jon, with the goal of creating a permanent fund to be administered by the Department of Microbiology, where Jon spent his career. Proceeds from the fund will support various activities such as cataloging, adapting and disseminating Jon’s course curriculum on social justice across the medical school community; supporting activities by trainees who integrate and explore ethical and social issues in their research; and developing an online space for education, discussion, and outreach. We hope you will help us by making a generous contribution to reach $100,000, the minimum necessary for an endowed (permanent) fund. If we are unable to reach our goal by June 2023, the raised fund will support the same activities stated above but will be drawn down over time. Jon has inspired all of us to be better scientists and global citizens, not simply through excellence in research but also through his deep and sustained concern for social issues in biological research. We hope that together we can further this shared ideal, through this initiative and our own individual efforts. While we have until June to reach our goal, we hope to present Jon with the gift from his alumni and friends on his upcoming birthday in December of this year. Please help us get there.

To donate, visit the HMS secure online gift formand follow the steps below. Your donation is tax-deductible.

1. “Gift amount options”, please give generously; we encourage you to consider giving between $500-$1000. If you are unable to give at the suggested level, please give what you can comfortably contribute. We want 100% participation.
2. “Select a Fund dropdown menu”: choose “OTHER”.
3. “Other Fund Name”: type Social Issues in Biology Impact Fund in honor of Dr. Beckwith .
4. Make sure you check the box if your or your partner’s employer can match your donation.
So far, one donor has agreed to contribute an additional $5000 to the fund if we can get 200 individuals to donate by the end of 2022! Please spread the word to others you know, especially your lab alumni who may have attended reunions or other Beckwith events.