By Bishakha Mona  “Above all else show the data.” – Edward R. Tufte  Philanthropies recognize that scientists working together, who are not hampered by research silos, distance, technology or language, can create breakthroughs. Moreover, scientists and funders can continue to learn as technology and science evolve. For example, advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence have the potential to change the amount of useful information that can be extracted from existing data. Therefore, supporting data platforms offer significant long-term outcomes. Nonetheless, there are s ..read more

By Bishakha Mona  In this first part of a two-part article, the Alliance looks at a powerful new funding opportunity—open data platforms. We examine the potential and pitfalls of investing in these platforms and how they might influence finding cures at a faster pace.     Open data has long been a wilderness which many are now seeking to tame. The concurrent rise of Web 2.0 and social media created a “sea change in the evolution of open data as a research resource.” 1 The vastness of this data has created an informational treasure trove that multiplies and proliferates not ..read more

For Immediate Release Contact: Rose-Marie Brandwein 917-923-8105 New York, New York – The Science Philanthropy Alliance extends its congratulations to The Brinson Foundation on their generous donation of $100 million to Caltech to seed the Brinson Exploration Hub. The Brinson Exploration Hub will convene scientists and engineers from Caltech’s campus and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which Caltech manages for NASA. By capitalizing on new frontiers in technology and the commercial space sector, the aim is to accelerate scientific achievement and discovery. This new paradigm will bridge ac ..read more

For Immediate Release Contact: Rose-Marie Brandwein 917-923-8105 New York, New York – The Science Philanthropy Alliance (Alliance) is pleased to announce that Emily Bolton has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief of Staff (COS) effective March 4th. Bolton comes to the Alliance after most recently serving as Executive Vice President of the Volcker Alliance, a nonpartisan nonprofit founded by former Federal Reserve Board chairman, Paul A. Volcker, and dedicated to advancing his vision of an empowered public sector workforce.   In her dual roles at the Allian ..read more

Journey of a Philanthropist, Part IV In the spring of 2018, when philanthropist Ross Brown first entered the offices of the Science Philanthropy Alliance (Alliance) seeking advice on making impactful investments in science philanthropy, the outcome of his philanthropic journey was unpredictable and seemed very much in the future.  However, his quest to contribute the majority of his fortune to basic science was always driven by that end goal.   In three prior blog posts, I chronicled Ross’s journey through months of consulting, analysis and then, three years of operation an ..read more

By Rose-Marie Brandwein Science is on the agenda on the global stage. The World Economic Forum at Davos annually features Climate Change and Environmental risk issues. This year’s Open Forum theme “From Lab to Life: Science in Action” further elevated science in the conversation byexamining the role of science in society today, the need for building trust in science, the challenges of AI and more. While science itself may be front and center, federal support for basic science at U.S. research institutions has plateaued. Many global issues direct federal attention towards immediate problem-sol ..read more

New York, New York – The Science Philanthropy Alliance congratulates Philanthropist and Caltech Alumnus Ross Brown on his generous gift of $400 million to Caltech, carefully designed to advance discovery science by adopting the operation of the Ross Brown Investigators Program. Brown was CEO and founder of Cryogenic Industries, which provided process equipment and services to the industrial gas and hydrocarbon industries. When he sold his company in 2017, he approached the Science Philanthropy Alliance for advice on distributing the largest gift of his lifetime. “From the beginning ..read more

For Immediate Release Contact: Rose-Marie Brandwein 917-923-8105   New York, New York – Science philanthropy is transforming the world of research and propelling tomorrow’s innovations. In its inaugural Science Philanthropy Indicators Report, the Science Philanthropy Alliance explores National Science Foundation data through a philanthropic lens to illuminate the vital role of science philanthropy in funding basic research. The report illustrates that in the higher education and nonprofit sectors, philanthropy today fuels the U.S. basic research enterprise at a level approaching that of ..read more

New York, New York – The Science Philanthropy Alliance congratulates Alliance member Prebys Foundation for awarding over $30 million in grants in its four program areas: Visual and Performing Arts, Youth Success, Healthcare, and Medical Research to organizations throughout San Diego County. Within the field of medical research, the foundation made 14 grants totaling $7 million. Through its newly launched Excellence in Scientific Research Leadership Program (ESRL), opportunities will be provided to women pursuing a thriving research career in San Diego. The program will serve as a key lever in ..read more

New York, New York – The Science Philanthropy Alliance congratulates Philanthropist and Caltech Alumnus Ross Brown on his generous gift of $400 million to Caltech, carefully designed to advance discovery science by adopting the operation of the Ross Brown Investigators Program. Brown was CEO and founder of Cryogenic Industries, which provided process equipment and services to the industrial gas and hydrocarbon industries. When he sold his company in 2017, he approached the Science Philanthropy Alliance for advice on distributing the largest gift of his lifetime. “From the beginning ..read more