The Plastic Surgery Foundation

What The Plastic Surgery Foundation does

The Plastic Surgery Foundation (The PSF), founded in 1978 and headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois, is the research and international activities arm of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). It is a nonprofit foundation employing 51-100 staff and operates four clinical data registries (GRAFT, NBIR, PROFILE, TOPS), with the National Breast Implant Registry co-developed with the FDA and breast implant manufacturers to serve as the post-marketing surveillance infrastructure for breast implant devices. The PSF funds investigator-initiated research through Research Fellowships, Pilot Research Grants, the National Endowment for Plastic Surgery, Directed Research Grants, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Research Grants, and Combined Pilot Research Grants co-sponsored with subspecialty societies (AAPS, AAHS, ACEPS, ASMS, ASPN, ASRM, CSPS, PSRC). It also runs multi-center clinical studies including ASSERT, BREAST-Q, FACE-Q, FRANCHISE, CRAFT, SPAR, and VTEP.

The foundation's humanitarian and educational programs include SHARE (Surgeons in Humanitarian Alliance for Reconstructive, Research and Education), the International Scholars Program placing surgeons from developing countries in 3-6 month U.S. training rotations, the Visiting Professors Program, and the Global Advancement for Academic Plastic Surgeons program. Donor engagement is structured through the Maliniac Circle (minimum $50,000 cash / $100,000 deferred gift, founded 1998) and a tiered giving program ranging from Contributor ($5) to Sapphire ($25,000+), plus Named Gift Opportunities with endowment levels up to $2 million. Primary beneficiaries are ASPS member plastic surgeons and residents (research funding, career development, training access), plastic surgery patients (safety registries, outcome studies), and international scholars from developing countries.

Revenue is generated through ASPS member donations, corporate sponsorships from breast implant manufacturers and other partners, foundation grants, and event-based fundraising. The most recent disclosed fundraising event, the 14th annual Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day (BRA Day) in October 2025, raised approximately $120,000 through sponsorships and campaigns. Distribution is handled almost entirely through the ASPS member network, with marketing conducted via ASPS publications, Plastic Surgery News, the annual Plastic Surgery The Meeting conference, social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), and email/donor communications. The PSF holds no AI/ML capabilities in its product stack and has not pursued technology-led differentiation.

Name

The Plastic Surgery Foundation

Legal name

The Plastic Surgery Foundation

Website

https://thepsf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Plastic Surgery Foundation is a nonprofit foundation and the research arm of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, operating clinical data registries (including an FDA-co-developed breast implant registry), grant programs, multi-center clinical studies, and humanitarian training initiatives for plastic surgeons, residents, and patients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Research Foundation Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

Keywords

• Plastic surgery research
• Clinical data registries
• Research grants funding
• Surgical education programs
• Humanitarian medical missions

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington Heights

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The PSF generates revenue primarily through donations from ASPS members, corporate sponsors, and foundations. The Maliniac Circle represents the highest-tier donor recognition with minimum $50,000 cash or $100,000 deferred gift commitments. The foundation also receives contributions through the PSF Annual Fund, National Endowment for Plastic Surgery, and various program-specific funds.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners and breast implant device manufacturers contribute to The PSF's research and program activities, including funding for clinical registries like NBIR.

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Plastic Surgery Foundation (The PSF) is a nonprofit foundation that funds investigator-initiated research in plastic surgery, operates clinical data registries (GRAFT, NBIR, PROFILE, TOPS) for patient safety and outcomes tracking, administers research grants and fellowships, runs multi-center clinical studies, and delivers humanitarian and educational programs for plastic surgeons. It functions as the research and international activities arm of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Product overview

The Plastic Surgery Foundation operates as a research foundation supporting the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), offering a portfolio of clinical registries, grant programs, clinical studies, and humanitarian programs. The foundation maintains four core clinical data registries (GRAFT, NBIR, PROFILE, TOPS) that track plastic surgery procedures and patient safety outcomes, with NBIR specifically supporting FDA post-market surveillance for breast implants. Its grant program encompasses Research Fellowships, Pilot Research Grants, National Endowment for Plastic Surgery, Directed Research Grants, and Combined Pilot Research Grants in partnership with specialty organizations. The foundation also conducts major clinical studies including ASSERT, BREAST-Q, FACE-Q, FRANCHISE, CRAFT, SPAR, and VTEP. Humanitarian initiatives include SHARE and International Scholars programs. Donor engagement is structured through The Maliniac Circle (prestigious giving society), tiered giving levels, and named gift opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BRA Day: Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day - an annual event to promote awareness of breast reconstruction options for breast cancer patients.
• SHARE
• Close The Loop 5K
• Maliniac Circle

Products and services

• Clinical Data Registries (GRAFT, NBIR, PROFILE, TOPS) Four clinical data registries that track, analyze, and promote data on plastic surgery procedures, patient safety, and quality outcomes. NBIR collaborates with the FDA and breast implant manufacturers for post-marketing surveillance; designed for plastic surgeons, researchers, regulators, and device manufacturers.
• Grants Program Grant funding program supporting investigator-initiated plastic surgery research, including Research Fellowships, Pilot Research Grants, National Endowment for Plastic Surgery, Directed Research Grants, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Research Grants, and Combined Pilot Research Grants co-sponsored with partner subspecialty organizations. Intended for plastic surgeons, residents, and early-career researchers.
• Breast Reconstruction Awareness Campaign Awareness and fundraising program promoting breast reconstruction options for breast cancer patients, including the annual Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day (BRA Day) and the Close The Loop 5K run/walk. Targeted at breast cancer patients, the public, and plastic surgeons.
• Visiting Professors Program Educational program in which selected prominent plastic surgeons travel to surgical facilities across the United States and Canada to lecture and share expertise with other surgeons. For practicing plastic surgeons and surgical trainees.
• International Scholars Program Training program selecting plastic surgeons from developing countries annually for additional training at US medical institutions for three to six months. For international plastic surgeons from underserved regions.
• SHARE (Surgeons in Humanitarian Alliance for Reconstructive, Research and Education) Humanitarian collaboration program enhancing surgical capacity and care in regions with limited numbers of plastic surgeons but high incidence of conditions requiring plastic surgery treatment. For plastic surgeons serving underserved populations.
• The Maliniac Circle Prestigious donor recognition society for plastic surgeons who have committed $50,000 or more in cash/securities or $100,000 in deferred gifts. Named after Jacques Maliniac, MD, co-founder of ASPS. For high-level contributing plastic surgeons.
• National Endowment for Plastic Surgery (NEPS) Enduring self-sustaining endowment fund that supports research directed toward immediate issues facing the clinical practice of plastic surgery, ensuring ongoing revenue for research activities. For donors and the plastic surgery research community.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• FDAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe PSF has collaborated with the FDA to develop the National Breast Implant Registry (NBIR) to strengthen post-marketing surveillance infrastructure for current and future breast implant devices. This partnership represents a critical regulatory-grade data collection initiative for patient safety.
• Breast Implant ManufacturerscoreTechnology or IntegrationThe PSF collaborates with breast implant device manufacturers on the NBIR registry to collect post-market surveillance data on breast implant safety and outcomes. Manufacturers contribute data and support to the registry infrastructure.
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSKCC serves as the primary institution for PSF President Babak J. Mehrara, MD, who directs the NIH-funded Lymphatic Biology Laboratory. The PSF supports research conducted at MSK and receives institutional collaboration for clinical studies including CRAFT and BREAST-Q research.
• American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAPS co-sponsors the Combined Pilot Research Grants program along with AAHS, ACEPS, ASMS, ASPN, ASRM, CSPS, and PSRC. This joint initiative promotes innovative research across multiple subspecialty organizations.
• Multiple Subspecialty Organizations (AAHS, ACEPS, ASMS, ASPN, ASRM, CSPS, PSRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThese organizations jointly fund Combined Pilot Research Grants with The PSF to stimulate fundamental research in hand surgery, academic plastic surgery, peripheral nerve research, and microsurgery. Each organization sponsors specific grant categories.
• Weill Cornell Medical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSF President Babak J. Mehrara holds a joint academic appointment at Weill Cornell Medical College. The institution collaborates with The PSF on advancing surgical innovation and training future plastic surgeon-scientists.
• International Medical InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough the International Scholars Program, The PSF partners with medical training facilities in the United States to provide 3-6 month training visits for plastic surgeons from developing countries. Nineteen US and international sites participated in the FRANCHISE study.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Susan G. Komen Foundation: Large breast cancer-focused nonprofit funding research, advocacy, and patient support. Comparable to PSF's Breast Reconstruction Awareness and breast cancer research portfolio, but with vastly larger fundraising scale and broader mission.
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Large U.S. health-focused philanthropy funding health systems research, clinical innovation, and health equity. Comparable in the health research grantmaking category but with substantially broader scope and far larger endowment scale.
• American Cancer Society: National nonprofit funding cancer research, patient services, and advocacy across cancer types. Overlaps with PSF's reconstructive surgery research and clinical study portfolio for cancer patients, particularly breast reconstruction.
• American College of Surgeons Foundation: Foundation arm of the American College of Surgeons supporting surgical research, education, and quality programs. Similar structure to PSF as the research arm of a major surgical society, with broader scope across surgical specialties.

Others

• American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH): Surgical specialty society with affiliated research and education programming that overlaps with PSF hand surgery research interests. Indirect peer — operates similar society foundation structure but without PSF's multi-subspecialty registry footprint.

Direct peers

• Dermatology Foundation: Specialty medical research foundation that funds dermatology research grants and supports career development for dermatology investigators. Closely mirrors PSF's grant programs, fellowships, and clinical study sponsorship in another medical specialty.
• American Association of Plastic Surgeons: Plastic surgery academic society that co-sponsors Combined Pilot Research Grants with PSF. Direct peer and active partner — overlaps on the society/research foundation axis but covers the academic membership rather than the broader ASPS membership.
• Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF): Research and education foundation for orthopaedic surgery, funding grants, clinical studies, and resident training. Operates an analogous model to PSF in grants, registries, and specialty society partnership programs.

Emerging players

• Plastic Surgery Research Council: Plastic surgery-focused research organization that promotes fundamental research in the specialty. Adjacent to PSF in mission, potentially competing for grant applications and investigator attention, but more focused on early-stage research dissemination.
• Reconstructive Surgery Foundation: A focused research and education entity in reconstructive surgery. Comparable domain overlap (reconstruction, grants, training) but at a smaller scale than PSF; could be a direct collaborator or competitor in the reconstructive research funding space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/the_psf
• Facebookfacebook.com/ThePlasticSurgeryFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/theplasticsurgeryfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-plastic-surgery-foundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Plastic Surgery Foundation