A CENTURY IN THE MAKING
Society for Science’s headquarters at 1776 Massachusetts Avenue, NW is a century in the making—a physical home for everyone who has ever been part of the Society’s story—from the finalists of 1942 to the middle schoolers of today. We invite you to join this Infinite Loop of discovery, helping us build a permanent anchor for the next century of scientific excellence.
Investing in the Architecture of Discovery
A Neighborhood of Global Influence
The Society’s new home at 1776 Massachusetts Ave NW sits at the crossroads of global impact. Located within a prestigious corridor of research and diplomacy, our neighbors include the world’s leading think tanks, universities, and embassies.
Creating Space for Discovery & Connection
Our new headquarters is more than a building; it is the physical manifestation of a century spent at the forefront of discovery. Inspired by the feedback systems inherent in nature and mathematics, the design re-imagines our home as an Infinite Loop — a space where exploration meets connection. It is designed to inspire and convene: a global home for our alumni, a stage for thousands of annual competition finalists, and a resource for millions of Science News readers.
Crucially, this space is an open invitation to our outreach program participants and the local Washington, D.C. community, serving as a vibrant neighborhood hub for STEM equity. Through the Exterior Plaza, the National Science Convening Center and the STEM Innovation Hub, we are creating a “front porch” for science — a place where local students, teachers and science enthusiasts can access world-class resources, find mentorship, and take their own first steps toward a life of discovery.
To ensure this building remains a dynamic engine of progress, we will activate the space through strategic partnerships with new program collaborators. These alliances will utilize the National Science Convening Center and the STEM Innovation Hub to pilot groundbreaking curricula and host cross-disciplinary workshops. By opening our doors, we transform our headquarters into a living laboratory where the global scientific community and the local public collaborate to solve the challenges of tomorrow.
BUILDING NAMING RIGHTS
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INVESTMENT: Outright Purchase
VISION: A landmark in the heart of the nation’s capital, this building serves as the home for the Society and a global beacon for the science.
FUNCTION: Beyond its brick and mortar, the National Headquarters is the center of gravity for our global community.
IMPACT: The Donor’s transformative gift allowed the outright purchase of the new building, securing the Society’s independence and influence for the next century.
PLAZA AND GARDEN
INVESTMENT: $1,500,000
VISION: The green heart of the Society’s headquarters.
FUNCTION: An outdoor sanctuary designed for serendipitous connections, peer-to-peer mentorship, and quiet reflection.
IMPACT: A high-visibility representation of our mission to nurture scientific talent in the open air of the nation’s capital.
LOBBY AND VIDEO WALL
INVESTMENT: $1,000,000
VISION: The threshold of discovery. A soaring, double-height entrance serving as the first physical touchpoint for the Society’s global community.
FUNCTION: This gateway anchors the arrival experience through immersive digital storytelling, fostering an immediate sense of connection and movement.
IMPACT: From local students to world leaders, this prestigious space establishes the Society as a welcoming, world-class home for science.
GRAND STAIRCASE
INVESTMENT: $400,000
VISION: A sweeping architectural centerpiece that serves as the connective tissue between the historical foundation of the Lobby and the future-focused STEM Innovation Hub.
FUNCTION: Designed as a social landscape, the Grand Staircase encourages spontaneous interactions between world-class experts and aspiring students.
IMPACT: This Grand Staircase transforms a functional necessity into a kinetic conduit, ensuring that discovery is never static.
NATIONAL SCIENCE CONVENING CENTER
INVESTMENT: $7,000,000
VISION: The premier stage for national STEM discourse and global scientific engagement.
FUNCTION: A technologically advanced forum designed for high-stakes dialogue, this versatile space is engineered to host global summits, Nobel-level symposia, and the Society’s world-class competitions.
IMPACT: By establishing a permanent destination in the nation’s capital, we move from being a guest at external venues to a host of the global conversation.
STEM RESEARCH AND INNOVATION HUB
INVESTMENT: $5,000,000
VISION: The R&D Lab for the future of science education.
FUNCTION: A versatile intellectual sandbox for prototyping new educational models, intensive teacher training, and student experimentation
IMPACT: The Hub addresses the STEM pipeline challenge by providing a dedicated space to develop and scale national education initiatives, while simultaneously offering fully equipped maker spaces for hands-on student experimentation.
STEM RESEARCH AND INNOVATION MAKERS SPACES
INVESTMENT: $200,000–$350,000 (6 available)
VISION: This suite of specialized maker spaces is designed to move students beyond the conceptual stage into the physical world of prototyping.
FUNCTION: Each high-performance lab is outfitted with professional-grade infrastructure.
– AI and Emerging Tech Studio
– Materials Science Lab
– Design Engineering Studio
– Circuitry and Electronics Studio
– Coding and Robotics Lab
– Treasure Chest
IMPACT: By providing a dedicated environment for hands-on creation, these labs bridge the gap between a student’s spark of genius and a viable, global solution.
NEWSROOM NAMING RIGHTS
* * * COMMITTED * * *
VISION: A world-class environment for the synthesis and dissemination of evidence-based journalism.
FUNCTION: A state-of-the-art production ecosystem, including a dedicated Podcast and Video Studio, that empowers journalists to broadcast high-fidelity stories to a global audience.
IMPACT: Equips the Science News team with the technical agility to lead the global conversation on science for generations to come.
SCIENCE NEWS LIBRARY
* * * COMMITTED * * *
VISION: The intellectual memory of the Society, preserving the 100-year archive of Science News.
FUNCTION: Home to a curated repository of books and research authored by the Society’s most distinguished alumni.
IMPACT: A sanctuary for researchers and a physical bridge between the original signal of discovery and the cumulative impact of our alumni network.
SCIENCE NEWS PODCAST AND VIDEO STUDIO
INVESTMENT: $250,000
VISION: A state-of-the-art multimedia production suite designed to translate complex scientific discovery into compelling global narratives.
FUNCTION: This acoustically engineered studio provides the professional-grade infrastructure for high-fidelity podcast recording, live-streamed interviews and cinematic video production.
IMPACT: This studio amplifies the reach of Science News and Science News Explores.
LOUNGE AREA
INVESTMENT: $250,000
VISION: The refueling station for our greatest asset — our people.
FUNCTION: A modern, communal space on the Fourth Floor designed for staff to recharge, clear their minds and hold informal team huddles.
IMPACT: Recognizes that world-changing ideas often start over a cup of coffee, providing a relaxed atmosphere and the professional comfort our team deserves to spark organic internal community.
CANTEEN
INVESTMENT: $250,000
VISION: The refueling station for our greatest asset — our people.
FUNCTION: A vibrant, communal dining space designed for staff to step away from their desks, connect with colleagues and enjoy their breaks.
IMPACT: Recognizes that breakthroughs are often fueled by a shared meal, providing the modern amenities and welcoming environment our team deserves to foster a strong, connected community.
SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE RECEPTION
INVESTMENT: $350,000
VISION: The leadership threshold, this space serves as the primary reception area for the Board of Trustees, executive leadership and high-level dignitaries.
FUNCTION: Provides the first impression for those entering the Boardroom and the reception and waiting area for executive briefings.
IMPACT: Anchors the governance of the Society, creating a professional and prestigious environment for the decision-makers who steward our mission.
EXECUTIVE SUITE
INVESTMENT: $250,000
VISION: The leadership core of the Society, serving as the daily headquarters for the President & CEO and the executive team.
FUNCTION: Designed for high-level management and the stewardship of the Society’s most critical relationships, this integrated suite features the CEO’s Office and a private Executive Conference Room.
IMPACT: This refined, focused environment provides the ideal setting for high-stakes scientific partnerships and confidential donor meetings.
BOARDROOM PRE-FUNCTION LOUNGE
INVESTMENT: $75,000
VISION: The prelude to strategy, a sophisticated and welcoming transition space located outside the Boardroom.
FUNCTION: This lounge serves as the primary gathering point for Trustees and global partners, providing a professional setting for the informal dialogues that often precede formal board action.
IMPACT: By facilitating these pre-session connections, the lounge ensures that every official meeting begins with alignment and rapport.
BOARDROOM
INVESTMENT: $500,000
VISION: The strategic anchor of the headquarters, where long-term plans are refined and our mission is achieved.
FUNCTION: A sophisticated environment designed for our Board of Trustees. Equipped with advanced A/V capabilities, the Boardroom connects our leadership with scientific and philanthropic partners across the globe.
IMPACT: This space embodies leadership and reaffirms the Society’s role as a permanent and powerful force in the scientific community.
STAFF COMMUNICATING STAIR AND LOUNGE AREA
INVESTMENT: $250,000 (3 available)
VISION: The crossroads of collaboration.
FUNCTION: A dedicated internal architectural feature bridging the Newsroom, Operations, and Executive suites to create a seamless intellectual flow.
IMPACT: By removing physical barriers, this feature encourages spontaneous interactions and sustains a culture of transparency and shared mission.
COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENTS
INVESTMENT: $5,000–$100,000
VISION: A dynamic ecosystem of private offices, conference rooms and specialized breakout spaces designed to maximize productivity, discovery and execution.
FUNCTION: Spaces with employee satisfaction and mindfulness as a core component, encouraging both collaboration and deep focus.
IMPACT: Empowers our team with the physical autonomy to choose the right environment for the task at hand — accelerating project timelines and fostering a culture of high-impact delivery.
The Foundation of Community
ALUMNI WALL
INVESTMENT: $10,000
VISION: A high-traffic installation that celebrates the 80,000 individuals who have participated in Society competitions since 1942.
FUNCTION: A combination of digital touchscreens and physical plaques that allow visitors to search for names by year, competition or field of study.
IMPACT: It serves as a visual neural network, showing every student who enters that they are part of a massive, prestigious lineage of discovery.
THE GARDEN PATH: COMMEMORATIVE BRICKS
INVESTMENT: $1,000
VISION: A permanent installation within the Society Garden and Exterior Plaza.
FUNCTION: High-quality, laser-engraved bricks or pavers integrated into the garden’s walking paths.
IMPACT: An accessible way for the local D.C. community and alumni families to honor a mentor, a student or a love for science in our green heart sanctuary.
The Investment Pyramid
The Nucleus | $25K–$7M | These are the flagship anchors of the building. They represent the Society’s convening power and its century-old source code. These spaces are the primary touchpoints for world leaders, Nobel Laureates and the general public.
The Catalyst Spaces | $100K–$5M | These spaces power the Society’s output. It includes the engine room of Science News and the sandbox of the Innovation Hub where new educational models are prototyped for the global community.
The Collaborative Environments | $5K–$500K | These opportunities support the human element of the Society — the Trustees, executive leadership and professional staff. These spaces are designed to foster the internal exchanges and high-level governance required to manage a global enterprise.
The Foundation | $1K–$10K | Designed for the broad alumni base and the local D.C. community, this level allows individuals to claim a permanent piece of the headquarters. It transforms the building into a living archive of the 80,000 individuals who have been part of the Society’s journey.
Invest by the Floor: The Architecture of Impact
A floor-level investment represents a profound commitment to the future of science.
By naming an entire level of our National Headquarters, you anchor a specific pillar of our mission — from public engagement to world-class journalism.
GATEWAY TO SCIENCE
INVESTMENT: $10,000,000
THEME: Public engagement and global convening.
VISION: As the front door to the Society, this floor welcomes the world through the Plaza and Garden and the Grand Lobby.
ANCHOR: It houses the National Science Convening Center, the premier stage for global STEM discourse and public exhibitions.
IMPACT: Your investment ensures the Society remains a permanent convening power, bringing the greatest minds of our time together in one space.
SCIENCE JOURNALISM
REMAINING INVESTMENT: $2,000,000
THEME: Building another century of science journalism.
VISION: Home to Science News Media Group, this floor is where complex science is translated into global narratives.
ANCHOR: Features the Podcast and Video Studio and the Science News Library.
IMPACT: Your support provides the infrastructure for evidence-based journalism, ensuring science discoveries reach millions of readers worldwide.
STEM EXCELLENCE
INVESTMENT: $2,000,000
THEME: Strategic excellence and professional culture.
VISION: This level houses the expert team that designs and executes our educational programs and premier competitions.
ANCHOR: Organic collaborative spaces and traditional work areas that facilitate both team building and deep focus.
IMPACT: Your support sustains the human capital behind the mission, creating a world-class environment for collaborative engagement.
SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENT
INVESTMENT: $2,000,000
VISION: The keystone of the Society’s organizational success, where leadership ensures our mission.
ANCHOR: This level houses spaces designed for the thoughtful deliberation and partnership-building required to sustain a global institution.
IMPACT: Your investment provides leadership for the needed infrastructure to secure, scale and enhance the Society’s global impact on science literacy.
Connect With Us
To learn more about this project or to discuss how you can play a part in our next century of discovery, please reach out to our advancement team. We would welcome the opportunity to share further details on the vision and progress of our new home.
Dawn Abel, Chief Advancement Officer
dabel@societyforscience.org
423-504-8163