At the OSA Foundation, we believe that everyone should have access to quality education resources. Since our establishment in 2002, we have funded over 310 programs and awarded 775+ grants, scholarships and prizes that have benefited thousands of individuals in more than 55 countries.

2011

OSAF assets exceed $5 million USD

Successfully completed a campaign to rename and fully fund the
OSA Leadership Award in memory of Robert E. Hopkins

Established the Boris P. Stoicheff Memorial Scholarship in
partnership with the Canadian Association of Physicists

Partnered with Coherent, Inc. and Edmund Optics on
the “Adopted-A-Chapter” program

Established a fiscal sponsorship agreement with the International Commission for Optics (ICO) which allows charitable donations made to the OSA Foundation to be earmarked for ICO outreach activities

2010

 Collaboration with the Rochester Museum and Science Center
in support of “Light Here | Light Now”

 Thousands of telescopes distributed to students around the
globe through the “Galileoscope Challenge”

Greater Milwaukee Foundation awarded OSAF a grant
in support of the “Galileoscope Challenge”

 New OSAF website launched

2009

OSAF assets reach $4.3 million USD

G. Michael Morris appointed Chair

 Lighten Up! Discovering the Science of Light exceeds 65,000 downloads

217 programs and 298 grants/prizes in over 54 countries awarded (2003 - 2009)

2008

Corning Outstanding Student Paper Competition established at OFC/NFOEC

 Harvey M. Pollicove Memorial Scholarship established

 Lighten Up! Discovering the Science of Light wins the
Association of Educational Publishers Distinguished Achievement Award

 Maiman Student Paper Competition established at CLEO/QELS

2007

Assets exceeded $3.5 million USD

 Lighten Up! Discovering the Science of Light, published in
partnership with Girl Scouts of the USA 

 Herbert Walther Award established with the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft to recognize distinguished
contributions in quantum optics and atomic physics as well as leadership in the international scientific community

2006

Emmett N. Leith Medal established to recognize seminal contributions
to the field of optical information processing

 Established a collaboration with the National Coalition of Girls Schools

 Awarded grant to Fleischmann Planetarium & Science Center in
support of a permanent Optics & Vision exhibit

2005

Joseph W. Goodman Book Writing Award established to recognize authorship
of an outstanding book in the field of optics and photonics

53 programs and 172 grants/prizes in over 26 countries awarded (2003 - 2005)

2004

Custodianship of the OSA Awards and Honors portfolio initiated

OSA Board of Directors voted to provide 100% matching for OSAF donations 

“2016 Centennial Fundraising Plan” approved

2003

Grant process established, 14 programs funded

 Optics Trust established

2002

OSA Foundation established as a charitable organization
with five Founding Donors

OSAF Board of Directors formed, Gary Bjorklund appointed Chair