September 06, 2023 A Local Foundation, a Little-Known College, and a Potential HIV and Cancer Breakthrough September 06, 2023/ Paul Karon The Engelstad Foundation supported Touro University Nevada's lone biomedical lab when few other funders would. A recent discovery there could lead to new treatments for HIV, and even cancer, Alzheimer’s and more.Read More
August 25, 2023 Gates Remains Among the Few in Philanthropy to Drive Research for an HIV Vaccine August 25, 2023/ Paul Karon Philanthropy makes up only a small fraction of spending on research and support for people with HIV, still a major threat around the world. In the push for a vaccine, Gates and Gilead are leading the pack.Read More
July 13, 2023 After a Tragic Diagnosis, a Former NFL Player and His Wife Rally Support for ALS Research July 13, 2023/ Ade Adeniji ALS remains a devastating disease, but research is advancing, thanks in large part to the efforts of those impacted. Eric and Amanda Stevens have turned to the athlete and first responder communities to raise awareness and funds.Read More
July 13, 2023 Type 1 Diabetes Is an Overlooked Global Threat. This Health Funder Has Made it a Top Priority July 13, 2023/ Liz Longley Among non-communicable diseases, diabetes has a particularly low profile as a global health concern. The Helmsley Charitable Trust has made it a central focus, including two recent commitments to the WHO. Read More
June 09, 2023 A New Big Gift Tackles the Problem of Inflammatory and Immune-Mediated Disease June 09, 2023/ Paul Karon To build up collaborative research infrastructure, a landmark $100 million gift from businessman Gene Lay will launch a new institute spanning Brigham and Women's Hospital, Mass General and Harvard Medical School. Read More
April 26, 2023 Report Finds Scant Funding for Disability Rights and Social Justice — and Points the Way Forward April 26, 2023/ Paul Karon A study commissioned by the Disability & Philanthropy Forum is a must-read for funders aiming to drive social justice for disabled people and address complex and overlapping issues of racial, gender and other inequities.Read More
April 03, 2023 Can AI Help Locate Low-Cost Cancer Treatments? These Funders Want to Find Out April 03, 2023/ Paul Karon We can't have too many ways to fight cancer. Here’s who’s backing a nonprofit startup that’s using AI to repurpose generic drugs that could mean the difference between life and death for patients — and solvency or bankruptcy. Read More
March 16, 2023 How Effective is Effective Altruism? A Deep Dive Into Two of Open Philanthropy’s EA-Inspired Programs March 16, 2023/ Liz Longley Effective altruism has had a rough year, but remains a major force within philanthropy. We take a closer look at two of this EA-driven outfit’s programs: farm animal welfare and biosecurity and pandemic preparedness.Read More
March 15, 2023 Why a Relatively Small Funder Made a Big Donation to Study Neglected Diseases March 15, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen The $78 million gift from a foundation built by an heir to the du Pont fortune will fuel research and clinical care for children with cancer, sickle cell disease and other life-threatening blood disorders.Read More
March 10, 2023 These Health Research Funders Are Facing Down the Next Pandemic Threat — Whatever It May Be March 10, 2023/ Paul Karon The Gates Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation and Open Philanthropy are collaborating under a partnership called Pandemic Antiviral Discovery, funding research to develop treatments that may be needed for future pandemics.Read More
March 01, 2023 Six Things to Know About This Billionaire Hedge Fund Manager’s Philanthropy March 01, 2023/ Michael Kavate Stanley and Fiona Druckenmiller have a $1.9 billion foundation and a reported fortune of $10 billion. Here’s a closer look at how the couple makes big bets for economic mobility, the environment and health.Read More
March 01, 2023 A Q&A With Stanley Druckenmiller on Priorities, Big Bets and Feeling "Incredibly Privileged" March 01, 2023/ Michael Kavate In this candid conversation, the storied investor and mega-donor discusses what he and his wife Fiona look for in grantees, how much they plan to give away, why they won’t sign the Giving Pledge, and more.Read More
February 15, 2023 COVID Won't be the Last Pandemic. A Top Biomedical Funder Seeks to Get Ahead of Emerging Pathogens February 15, 2023/ Paul Karon With a $100 million commitment, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute is the latest funder backing research to prepare for pathogens with the potential to threaten human health, or even trigger new pandemics. Read More
February 06, 2023 This Wealthy Virginia Family Is Helping Make the State a Biotech Hub February 06, 2023/ Paul Karon Paul and Diane Manning, longtime supporters of diabetes research at the University of Virginia, recently committed $100 million to build an advanced biotech research institute there. Here’s a rundown on the gift and the donors.Read More
February 02, 2023 Sergey Brin's Off-the-Radar Foundation Is Huge — and Growing Fast. Here’s What We Know About It February 02, 2023/ Michael Kavate Sergey Brin’s foundation has nearly $5 billion in assets and a portfolio spanning Parkinson’s disease, science and activism. It’s not known for transparency, but we do know a fair amount about what it supports and why.Read More
January 03, 2023 What We Learned From a Deep Dive Into Cancer Research Giving January 03, 2023/ Mike Scutari As part of IP’s State of American Philanthropy project, we recently published an in-depth paper on trends in cancer research funding. Author Mike Scutari overviews what we learned and offers clues on what to expect going forward.Read More
December 09, 2022 A Funding Leader Lays Out Key Priorities in Neuromuscular Disease Research December 09, 2022/ Mike Scutari 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.Read More
November 14, 2022 “A Period of Rapid Change.” How the ALS Association Shepherded a New Treatment to Market November 14, 2022/ Mike Scutari 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.Read More
November 07, 2022 A New Alliance Channels Asia's Growing Philanthropic Heft November 07, 2022/ Liz Longley Top grantmakers from Asia and the U.S. have joined forces on a new Philanthropy Asia Alliance, and are already backing six on-the-ground projects. The alliance highlights Singapore’s role as a hub for Asian philanthropy.Read More
October 31, 2022 A New Koch in Town: Four Things to Note About the Philanthropy of America's Richest Woman October 31, 2022/ Ade Adeniji Since her husband David Koch’s passing in 2019, Julia Koch has kept a fairly low philanthropic profile. But the sheer scale of her fortune means much larger giving may be coming down the line. Here are a few things to look out for.Read More