August 03, 2022 Funding for Mathematics Research is Scarce. A Big Gift Underscores the Potential Impact for Donors August 03, 2022/ Paul Karon Two donor couples split a $70 million gift to a Berkeley-based math research institute. It’s the largest unrestricted donation to a U.S. math institute, and a reminder of the important role a small number of funders play in the field. Read More
July 21, 2022 A Startup Philanthropy Targeting Serious Mental Illness Ramps Up July 21, 2022/ Paul Karon The Baszucki Brain Research Fund, created by tech industry couple David and Jan Baszucki, has accelerated grantmaking in 2022 to support research in bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and major depression.Read More
July 19, 2022 Six Questions for Heather Templeton Dill, President of the John Templeton Foundation July 19, 2022/ Paul Karon We spoke with Heather Templeton Dill, president of the John Templeton Foundation since 2015, to get her perspective on the eclectic science philanthropy that her grandfather set in motion 35 years ago.Read More
July 11, 2022 Study: Philanthropy May Play an Even Bigger Role in Science Funding Than We Thought July 11, 2022/ Paul Karon Analyzing millions of tax filings, a research team found that philanthropic funding for science has reached $30 billion a year recently, rivaling government outlays. And that wasn’t the only interesting fact they unearthed.Read More
July 05, 2022 A Major Health Insurance Foundation Targets Disparities in Substance Use and Mental Health July 05, 2022/ Paul Karon The Elevance Health Foundation, like its corporate counterpart, recently changed its name from Anthem. It’s seeking to address disparities, emphasizing the continuum of care around substance use and mental health.Read More
June 29, 2022 The Country's Oldest Science Philanthropy Plays the Long Game by Supporting Young Scientists June 29, 2022/ Paul Karon The Research Corporation for Science Advancement has been funding science research for more than a century. Here are five takeaways on how the funder works, from an interview with President Daniel Linzer. Read More
June 21, 2022 Founded By Billionaire Alex Knaster, the Mark Foundation Is a Growing Player in Cancer Research June 21, 2022/ Paul Karon With a new $500 million commitment from its founder, the Mark Foundation for Cancer Research is ramping up its grantmaking and venture investing. It has also gotten behind an international research initiative.Read More
June 13, 2022 This Research Funding Giant Is Spending $1.5 Billion to Diversify Academic Science June 13, 2022/ Paul Karon As part of an even larger diversity initiative, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute will extend long-term support to scientists from underrepresented backgrounds during the tough early years of their academic careers. Read More
June 06, 2022 Scientists Say a New Quantum Revolution Is Underway. Who's Funding It? June 06, 2022/ Paul Karon Arcane though it may seem, quantum physics has been — and will be — central to our understanding of the universe and to technologies that shape our lives. Here’s how some leading philanthropies are backing research in the field.Read More
May 24, 2022 A Big Research Gift Shows How One Family Foundation Balances Tradition and Innovation May 24, 2022/ Paul Karon 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. Read More
May 18, 2022 A Private-Public Partnership Takes a “Test-and-Treat” Approach to Curbing COVID-19 Globally May 18, 2022/ Paul Karon A collaboration of Open Society Foundations, the Clinton Health Access Initiative and other global health organizations and companies aims to augment vaccination efforts with the use of COVID antiviral medicines.Read More
May 12, 2022 How a Big Donation Will Help Stanford Scientists Team Up to Unlock Secrets of Brain Disease May 12, 2022/ Paul Karon 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.Read More
May 02, 2022 Good Reporting on Science and Health Is Becoming Ever More Vital. Who’s Supporting It? May 02, 2022/ Paul Karon Threats like pandemics and climate change underscore the crucial importance of accurate science and health reporting. Here are some of the funders supporting journalists in that work.Read More
April 26, 2022 With Cancer in the Crosshairs, a Health Funder Digs Deep to Back Basic Science April 26, 2022/ Paul Karon The $1.5 billion Starr Foundation likes to give out big-ticket grants to create and support new medical research centers. Its latest establishes a new basic research program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Read More
April 19, 2022 A Tech Industry Pioneer Targets Cybersecurity, and Calls for a New Era of “Cyber Civil Defense” April 19, 2022/ Paul Karon Craig Newmark, long a major supporter of journalism and the fight against disinformation, has been expanding his focus to cybersecurity for both individuals and society. He’d like to see more funders do the same.Read More
April 13, 2022 In the Latest Push for Vaccine Equity, a Funder Taps Impact Investing to Ease Purchase of Doses April 13, 2022/ Paul Karon Even as COVID recedes in some places, many countries remain overwhelmingly unvaccinated. In its latest big move for vaccine equity, Open Society Foundations committed $100 million to help nations purchase vaccines.Read More
April 06, 2022 What Rockefeller’s New Program Says About the True Costs of Global Food Systems April 06, 2022/ Paul Karon Rockefeller's largest-ever food investment moves beyond a focus on production and nutrition to consider the full impact of systems. It’s the latest sign of larger shifts in philanthropy toward equity, sustainability and climate action. Read More
March 24, 2022 Mental Health Hotline’s Launch Is Fast-Approaching. Philanthropy Can Help Make It a Success March 24, 2022/ Paul Karon Federal law requires activation of the 988 mental health crisis hotline number in July. Here’s how philanthropy can help states and communities build the next generation of crisis response and care.Read More
March 16, 2022 A Big Gift to Barnard College Highlights Need and Opportunity to Support Women in STEM March 16, 2022/ Paul Karon A $55 million donation to Barnard College, the largest in the school's history, will fund expansion of science facilities at the elite institution. Can Barnard’s success be replicated elsewhere to support women in STEM?Read More
March 10, 2022 Why Gates Is Building Up Local Immunology Capacity to Study COVID in the Global South March 10, 2022/ Paul Karon A Gates Foundation program is funding the development of local laboratory sites throughout the Global South to improve our understanding and response to new COVID variants and other epidemic threats.Read More