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With New Drugs on the Market, the Alzheimer’s Association Continues to Rake in Support
At a recent gala in New York, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, daughter of the legendary performer Rita Hayworth, spoke with Ade Adeniji about her mother’s legacy and about raising money for Alzheimer’s research.
Behind an Early Nvidia Employee’s Big Gift for Healthcare AI
Dwight Diercks, employee No. 22 at the ultra-successful chipmaker, is making moves as a megadonor along with his wife Dian. Their latest gift: $20 million for AI-driven innovation at Mayo Clinic.
Why Five Spinal Cord Injury Organizations Teamed Up to Launch a New Venture Philanthropy Fund
SCI Ventures, launched with $27 million, will invest in companies developing new therapies and technologies to treat spinal cord injuries and paralysis. Spearheading the effort is the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
Neuroscience Funders Are Moving in Unexpected Directions: Three Boundary-Pushing Initiatives
As the field advances at a quick clip, the Dana Foundation, Kavli Foundation and the late Paul Allen’s philanthropic vehicles are all pursuing ways to push neuroscience into new, cross-disciplinary territory.
A Billionaire Couple’s Quest to Cure the Genetic Disorder That Claimed Their Son’s Life
A year after their son died as a result of complications from neurofibromatosis, mortgage lending billionaire Dan Gilbert and his wife Jennifer continue to plow research dollars into the incurable genetic disorder.
For This Hoops Player, Fighting Dyslexia Is a Family Affair
Gary Payton II of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors is bringing his platform to bear on dyslexia, which he struggled with as a child. We connected with Payton and his mother and sister, leaders of his foundation, to learn more.
A Longtime Neuroscience Funder Pivots to Giving the Public a Voice in Research
The Dana Foundation has been a key backer of neuroscience research for four decades. But as the field increasingly impacts broader society, the foundation wants to ensure that the science steers toward the public good.
A Foundation’s Long Quest to Take on Huntington’s Disease Picks Up Speed
The neurodegenerative disease gets less funder attention than other more common conditions, which is why a set of new $1 million research grants from the Hereditary Disease Foundation could really move the needle.
Backed By Sergey Brin, the Newest Force in Parkinson’s Research Looks to Speed Cures
Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s, established by the Google cofounder, wants to diversify genetic research into the neurodegenerative disease. Its latest big grant will expand the geographic scope of a key international study.
How CZI’s Tech Team Builds New Tools to Unlock Advances in Biomedical Research
One unique feature of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is that it not only funds biomedical research, it employs a team of specialists to build new technology that can accelerate that research. Here’s how it works.
How Two Bioscience Funding Giants are Partnering to Advance Synthetic Biology Research
The Allen Institute and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative teamed up with the University of Washington to pioneer a new generation of research tools with the ability to record the life and times of individual human cells.
A Big Gift to UC San Diego is the Latest Philanthropic Push to Better Understand Psychedelics
Psychedelics show great promise in a range of medical therapies, but legal constraints and stigma have kept public funding minimal. As a result, philanthropy remains crucial to advancing research. Here’s the latest gift.
Moved by a Schizophrenia Diagnosis, This Family Is Channeling Millions Toward Mental Health
Shari and Garen Staglin’s son Brandon began showing symptoms of schizophrenia as a teen. Today, he’s president of One Mind, which backs mental health, and the family is raising serious funds for research and more.
This Under-the-Radar Foundation Backs Medical Research. But There’s a Dark Side to Its Story
The Larry L. Hillblom Foundation funds research to cure diabetes and the degenerative diseases of aging. It was founded after the death of its eponymous original donor, about whom disturbing revelations emerged.
A Major Gift for Alzheimer’s at a Pivotal Time for the Development of Treatments
The Lauder family, with wealth from the cosmetics dynasty, is a top supporter of Alzheimer’s research. We take a closer look at a recent $200 million commitment for drug development and philanthropy’s role in the field.
CZI’s Grant for Diversity in Neuroscience is a Positive Development. Is it Part of a Larger Trend?
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is backing an effort to diversify the neuroscience field and the people participating in research on brain disorders. Is more such funding on the way?
What We Learned From a Deep Dive into Neuroscience Research Giving
We recently published an in-depth paper on trends in neuroscience research funding as part of IP’s State of American Philanthropy project. Author Mike Scutari takes a look at some of the report’s key findings.
How a Grantmaker Focused on Rare Diseases Galvanizes Critical Research and Patient Support
Over 25 million Americans live with rare diseases, and 90% of rare diseases do not have an FDA-approved treatment. We look at how the National Organization for Rare Disorders is moving the needle in this evolving field.
A Funding Leader Lays Out Key Priorities in Neuromuscular Disease Research
The Chicago-based Muscular Dystrophy Association is a leading funder in the field of neuromuscular diseases. We check in with Chief Research Officer Dr. Sharon Hesterlee to discuss current challenges and priorities.
As Americans Grow Older, These Funders are Advancing the Field of Cognitive Aging Research
Millions will experience the effects of cognitive decline without being diagnosed with a neurological disease. Two prominent funders of cognitive aging research share how they are working to overcome this challenge.
This Research Funder Is on a Mission to Cure — and Destigmatize — Epilepsy
CURE Epilepsy funds research to cure and more effectively treat a neurological condition that affects 3.4 million Americans. Part of that mission involves ending the silence that still surrounds epilepsy.
“A Period of Rapid Change.” How the ALS Association Shepherded a New Treatment to Market
The FDA recently approved a new drug to treat ALS. Here’s how the ALS Association, equipped with funding from 2014’s viral Ice Bucket Challenge, contributed to that outcome — and what it’s looking to do next.
“Explore the Gaps.” A Closer Look at the Kavli Foundation’s Neuroscience Grantmaking
The Kavli Foundation is one of philanthropy’s most impactful supporters of neuroscience research. We check with Life Sciences Director Amy Bernard about the funder’s grantmaking priorities and an emerging area of focus.
Of Mice and Men: How Paul Allen’s Giving Set the Stage for an Ambitious Effort to Map the Human Brain
Twenty years ago, Paul Allen’s Institute for Brain Science launched with a project to map the mouse brain. Now, the NIH has tapped the institute to manage a global collaboration to map the human brain.
Taking on Paralysis, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Seeks to “Care and Cure”
Once viewed as the “graveyard of neuroscience,” the field of spinal cord injury has made headway thanks to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. We check in with two leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities.
Why Three Deep-Pocketed Funders Joined Forces to Take on Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder has been significantly understudied. In response, several donors with personal experience of the condition are working with the Milken Institute on a $150 million initiative to fund and coordinate global research.
Seven Questions for Stephen Quake, the New Head of Science at Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative recently named Stanford Professor Stephen Quake as its new head of science. We spoke about his new role leading CZI’s ambitious mission to treat all human disease within the century.
A Big Research Gift Shows How One Family Foundation Balances Tradition and Innovation
The 76-year-old Gates Family Foundation serves the state of Colorado using a leadership structure that blends community governance with family interests. The latest example is a $100 million medical research gift.
How a Big Donation Will Help Stanford Scientists Team Up to Unlock Secrets of Brain Disease
Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s have long resisted treatment, but new technologies show a path forward. Phil and Penny Knight’s $75 million gift to Stanford will fund new campus-wide research.
Is Smartphone Use Taking a Toll on Kids? This New Family Foundation Wants to Find Out
Are smartphones and social media contributing to the youth mental health crisis? The Winston Family Foundation’s new center at UNC-Chapel Hill is conducting research on the poorly understood impacts of technology use.
