The Sclerotia Project is a long-term initiative to support the future of mycological science through patient, intergenerational investment.

Inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s will—where a modest sum grew into a major philanthropic fund over 100 years—we are planting the seeds of a mycological endowment, grown from the community itself.

By collecting small donations today and investing them wisely, we aim to create a fund that will fruit in a century—supporting the research and resilience of future mycologists worldwide. Just as fungi form sclerotia to survive hard times and germinate later, we are preparing for a future we will never see.

Initial goal: Raise $5,000 at this year’s MSA conference. After 100 years of accruing interest, this will fund ~$2.7 million dollars of research.

We ask only this: Donate what you can. Send a message. Recieve a sticker. Create a better future for fungal science.

The Sclerotia Project 2025

By The Sclerotia Project

The Sclerotia Project 2025

The best time to make sclerotia was 100 years ago, the second best time is now.