Make a Gift

Thank you for your interest in supporting the Astronomy Department. The department has made breakthrough discoveries in recent years, including the first giant void in the universe, half of all known black holes, and the edge of the solar system. We were ranked in the top 10 in research quality in the Kinney Study of the Science Impact of US PhD-Granting Astronomy Departments, and we want to maintain this momentum. To do this, we need to continue recruiting exceptional faculty and students — and to support them vigorously while they’re here.

 

Collaborating on Astronomy’s Big Questions: 
The Michigan Astrophysical Sciences Center


Today more than ever scientific breakthroughs require multifaceted expertise. Astronomy’s biggest puzzles — from the nature of dark matter to conditions in the early universe to the search for habitable planets beyond our solar system — beg the techniques of not only Astronomy, but also Physics; Chemistry; Biology; Computer Science; Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences; Math; Statistics; Earth Science; and so on.

The department is catalyzing the vigorous “team science” that will keep U-M at the field’s leading edge by developing a new center — The Michigan Astrophysical Sciences Center. Hosted by the Astronomy Department, the center will tap the collaborative spirit that is already a U-M hallmark by harnessing expertise now distributed across several departments. Using a mix of themed research campaigns, workshops, conferences, cross-cutting postdoctoral fellowships, and visiting experts, the center will leverage our strengths to push the frontiers of science.

We hope you will join our effort. Your gift to the Strategic Fund will help establish the Michigan Astrophysical Sciences Center and make powerful breakthroughs possible!

 

Department Strategic Fund (Unrestricted)

A gift to this fund supports a variety of activities that enhance the research impact and intellectual vitality of the department, such as cross-departmental collaboration, speaker series, visiting lecturers, outreach, and seed funding for faculty research. Undesignated gifts are placed here.

Graduate Student Support Funds

A gift to one of these funds supports graduate students in their academic and research pursuits. It can help cover a student’s annual tuition and stipend; provide computing resources for advanced data analysis and simulations; and fund travel to Magellan, MDM, American Astronomical Society meetings, and summer programs for telescope and software training.

Losh Undergraduate Student Support Fund

This fund supports a range of undergraduate activities, including summer research experiences, distinguished speakers, student clubs and outreach, and student travel to scientific meetings or observatories like Magellan.

Click here to learn more about this beloved professor and the fund that honors her.

How to Give

  1. By credit card: Click on Michigan Online Giving and designate an Astronomy fund (such as “Astronomy Strategic Fund”) in the Other Area comments box in Step 1.
  2. Faculty and staff payroll deductions: Just complete the Payroll Deduction Form and forward it to the Astronomy Main Office in 830 Dennison for processing.
  3. By check: Send a check payable to The University of Michigan with your fund designation on the memo line to:

    Astronomy Department
    University of Michigan
    500 Church Street
    830 Dennison Building
    Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1042

Donors are eligible for Presidential Society Recognition, such as the President's Club ($15,000), the Tappan Society ($50,000) and the Hutchins Society ($100,000). In addition, your gift may provide you with federal and state income tax benefits. Please check with your tax advisor.

For More Information

Please contact the Astronomy Department at astro.giving@umich.edu or visit Michigan Online Giving.

Thank you for supporting Michigan Astronomy!