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

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