Fund Raising Campaign for Psychoanalytic Research

The Fund for Psychoanalytic Research is launching a major new effort to very substantially enlarge its funding basis and its possibilities for significant support of meritorious psychoanalytic research. To this point, over the five years now of its operation, it has achieved a reasonably stable income of between $35,000 and $40,000 annually. This income has been generated from the voluntary dues assessment of, originally $25 per year, now $35 per year, subscribed to by more than two thirds of the members of the Association. A very small but growing number give larger amounts, up to $100, on an annual basis.

However, as the Fund's availability and specific readiness to support psychoanalytic research has become more widely known, the number of meritorious applications submitted for consideration by the Board of Directors of the Fund has been steadily increasing. Now, even with the limitation of no more than $12,000 for one grant, and with an average award of only $8,000, the Fund is at a point where it can no longer keep up with the requirements upon it and is facing—for the first time—the possibility of not being able to fund all approved grant proposals.

From the inception of the Fund, this now emerging situation has been foreseen. It was originally planned that the contributions from our members would initiate the Fund and provide it a steady core of support that could then be used as the basis for demonstrating to a wider philanthropic, Foundation, and business world that we believed in and supported our own research enterprise. We now hope to reach out to a wider world to enlist help in our endeavors.

The fundraising campaign now being initiated is based on three interrelated steps. First, a letter enclosing a brochure describing the Fund and its activities is being sent to every member of the American asking him/her to pass it on to a potentially interested friend of psychoanalysis and mental health research who might be willing to contribute, on an annual basis, if possible, to a Fund that responsibly and knowledgeably reviews proposals and awards grants for the support specifically of psychoanalytic research.

In addition, a different letter, also enclosing one of the brochures, is being sent to the approximately 700 graduate analysts who are members of local Societies but not members of the American. Since they do not pay dues to the American, they have not to this point been asked to contribute specifically to the Fund. Yet, like others concerned with psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic research, they might be willing to contribute to the Fund, and on an annual basis, in the same way that the members of the American do. We also do want to make sure that they know of the existence of the Fund and of their eligibility to apply for research support from it.

Finally, local committees are being formed in as many as we can of the cities throughout the country that have organized analytic groups. These committees will be made up of a few analysts who support the purposes of the Fund and are willing to work on its behalf, together with a like number of supporting individuals from the community. These committees will approach potentially interested donors in the local Foundation, corporate, business and professional world—donors who might be drawn to a national effort on behalf of psychoanalytic research.

To this point, the following analysts have agreed to chair these local committees.

While the preceding list reflects a sizable effort already underway, it is only too apparent that many areas have no local committees in formation at present. It is hoped that interested and willing psychoanalysts will contact George Klumpner in Chicago (11 Elizabeth Court, Oak Park, Illinois 60303) to volunteer their help in establishing local committees for these areas. The campaign is to be dignified, on a person to person basis, not a mass effort. Committee work only requires a small expenditure of time. Dr. Klumpner has developed kits with the necessary materials to help local committees, including step-by-step instructions. In this he has had substantial help and guidance from the generous efforts of Mr. Charles Feldstein, a professional fundraising consultant.

Some analysts have expressed concern that this campaign might interfere with other local psychoanalytic fundraising efforts. But experience seems to prove otherwise. Generally, donors support a number of closely related, worthwhile activities. Most donors also recognize and distinguish the difference between local and national needs. Many people might support research who will not support local service or training programs. Finally, the activities of the Fund for Psychoanalytic Research can help local psychoanalytic communities both directly and indirectly. Money for psychoanalytic research will be available for support in local areas. More importantly even, this national activity should serve to remind supporters of the continuing vitality and scientific importance of psychoanalysis and of its local representatives.