How Donor Funds Help

“What Does the AALAS Foundation Do?
Why Should You Donate To It?”

• The AALAS Foundation Is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about the compassionate professionals working in laboratory animal science and the important role of animals in research. It strives to help ensure a future workforce by bringing awareness to students and teachers about the life-changing career opportunities available in the field of laboratory animal science.
• Attends leading national educational conferences each year to inform educators and students about the vast array of career opportunities in LAS – engaging, communicating with, and distributing materials to 150,000+ students, parents, and teachers. (Ex. - National Science Teachers Association, Future Farmers of America, etc.)
• Create educational games to educate students about the important role of animals in research – “Animal Flash Facts” research trivia game.
• Develops, prints and distributes over 80,000 pieces of free public outreach materials, annually, to students, teachers, AALAS members, and the general public – including posters, flyers, brochures. These materials ship free to teachers, AALAS members, and the general public.
• Creates digital educational materials and videos for students and teachers that promote career opportunities in the field of LAS and communicate the important role of animals in research. Producing Careers in LAS videos to create awareness to underserved students.
• Provide free promotional giveaway items to students that direct them to AALAS Foundation websites for more information about Careers in LAS.
• Host the biannual “Ann Turner CARE Academy” public outreach training program at AALAS headquarters in Memphis, TN – providing free hotel accommodations, food, and training for 40+ AALAS members. This program provides free training to support AALAS members in their public outreach efforts – coaching them on how to speak confidently about the important work they do and offering guidance in responding to “tough” questions presented by the public.
• Maintain three websites – aalasfoundation.org, www.care.aalas.org and www.kids4research.org – each offering free information to specific targeted audiences.
• Developing free “Speak Up & Reach Out” video tutorials to assist AALAS members in their public outreach efforts.
• Conduct an annual “Celebrate the Mouse Biomedical Research” video essay contest. The contest encourages students to submit video essays explaining how they, a friend, family member, or pet have benefited from research with a mouse. Cash prizes totaling $2,900, trophies and certificates are awarded each year to the winning students.
• Develops engaging social media/public awareness campaigns to communicate with the public about the important role of animals in research and career opportunities in the field. (Ex. “Share in My Passion to Care”, “Celebrate Animal Research Education and Awareness”, “Celebrate the Mouse”, “Celebrate the Pig”, ‘Celebrate the Monkey”, “Celebrate the Rat”, and “Celebrate the Zebra Fish”.)
• Conducts an Animal Research Education & Awareness (AREA) Program each year at the AALAS National Meeting – hosting up to 100 students to participate in a full day of interactive fun and education about the pros/cons of animals in research and the career opportunities available in laboratory animal science.

Why Should You Give to the AALAS Foundation?

• The AALAS Foundation receives funding solely from its donors – it does not receive funding from AALAS membership dues.
• It costs, at least:
  • $5,000 to conduct and award prizes for the annual Celebrate the Mouse video essay contest for students
  • $6,000 to attend and exhibit at ONE teacher or student national educational conference.
  • $10,000 a year to provide career videos and information packets to students and teachers
  • $15,000 annually to develop, print and ship free public outreach materials to teachers/students and AALAS members
  • $12,500 annually to conduct an AREA Program for students at the National Meeting.
  • $15,000 to conduct an Ann Turner CARE Academy public outreach training program
  • $55,000 - $75,000 to produce educational videos for students
  • $100,000 - $150,000 to develop engaging educational applications, such as websites, mobile and online games for students

Contact foundation@aalas.org for more information and/or support the AALAS Foundation by making a donation http://tinyurl.com/Donate-AALASFoundation