A “NASA Foundation” modeled on the National Park Foundation could allow the public to fill gaps in the NASA budget, like for the Roman Space Telescope. (credit: NASA/Chris Gunn)

The NASA Foundation: A method for privately funding NASA science

by Thomas L. Matula
Monday, June 16, 2025

Recently Jared Isaacman posted on X that, if he had become NASA administrator, he would have made up the shortfall in funding for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope by personally funding its launch. It is a sentiment that is likely shared by many space advocates who wish there was an option to keep a program going by donating money to NASA to support it. This raises a question: why isn’t there a mechanism that would allow the public to contribute money to NASA? Although numerous organizations exist that are focused on lobbying Congress for a larger NASA budget while building public support for greater NASA funding, there are none that allow individuals to contribute money to fund NASA programs.

This contrasts with another widely support government agency, the National Park Service. In 1967, the United States Congress created the National Park Foundation as a 501(c)(3) charity to support it. The National Park Foundation’s purpose was to “encourage private gifts or real and personal property, or any income” to support the National Park Service.[1] Since then billions of dollars in money and property have been donated to the National Park Service through the National Park Foundation. Example of projects that the National Park Foundation has funded over the years include purchasing land within Grand Teton National Park,[2] establishing the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine,[3] and supporting the Flight 93 National Memorial.[4] In 2016, their Centennial Campaign raised $350 million to help fund America’s national parks.[5] The National Parks Foundation also regularly funds outreach and STEM programs at numerous national parks.

A NASA Foundation established on the same principles would provide a way for individuals and corporations to financially support NASA in the same matter as the National Park Foundation supports America’s national parks. Ideally the foundation would be created by Congress and modelled on the very successful National Park Foundation. If created privately, it would need to work out a legal arrangement with NASA to fund its programs and use its logo. Early campaigns could provide NASA funding for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and for the NASA STEM programs that are being cut in the current budget proposal for NASA.[6]

The proposed NASA Foundation would allow individuals and corporations to make tax deductible donations to fund specific NASA programs and missions. Corporations could also contribute by creating “cause marketing” campaigns to raise funds for NASA. Cause marketing is a promotional strategy in which a portion of the sales price of an item is donated to a non-profit like the NASA Foundation. This would be ideal for corporations like Lego that often promote toys based on NASA programs. Corporations that support the NASA Foundation could be allowed to display a logo indicating their financial support of NASA that would serve to create greater visibility for the foundation.

Unlike existing space organizations, the NASA Foundation would be strictly focused on providing funding for NASA programs. It would not be political or engage in lobbying, just as the National Parks Foundation stays focused on its mission of raising money for the national parks. However, a strong public response in donations for specific NASA programs is likely to be noticed by Congress. It is one thing to lobby Congress with letters, emails, and petitions, especially with today’s technology. It is quite another matter to see the public putting their money where their mouth is by actually donating to keep a specific program or mission going forward.

The creation of a NASA Foundation would be a way to send a strong message on the level of public support for NASA. It would also send a message to budget makers that the recent cuts in the NASA budget are not supported and the public is willing to donate its hard-earned dollars to keep specific programs open. This could be a powerful message in a time of budget cuts as the government seeks to reduce the budget deficit.

References

1. Congress (December 18, 1967), “An Act to Establish the National Park Foundation” PDF retrieved June 10, 2025.
2. Koshmrl, Mike (December 13, 2016). “Antelope Flats tract secured”. Jackson Hole News & Guide. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
3. Sharon, Susan (August 24, 2016). “It’s Official: Obama Declares Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument”. Maine Public. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
4. De Groot, Kristen (June 4, 2018). “Tower at Flight 93 memorial to open by 9/11 anniversary”. Associated Press. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
5. National Park Foundation (February 15, 2016). “National Park Foundation Announces $350 Million Centennial Campaign for America’s National Parks”. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
6. Henrikson, Eric (April 17, 2025) “STEM programs face uncertain future amid potential NASA budget cut”. Retrieved June 10, 2025.

Thomas L. Matula is a Professor of Business Administration at Sul Ross State University in Alpine Texas and holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration from New Mexico State University. Dr. Matula is the Sul Ross State University representative to the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium (TARSEC) and the director of the new online MBA in Space Commerce offered by Sul Ross State University. A board member of Space Renaissance International he may be reached by email at thomas.matula@sulross.edu.

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