Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation and The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation Join Science Philanthropy Alliance as Associate Members
July 12, 2016, Palo Alto, CA – The Science Philanthropy Alliance announced that the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation and The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation have joined the Alliance to support increased giving to discovery science. With other new members joining, the Alliance has doubled its membership in the last year from six to 12.
Founded in 1942, the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation seeks to improve health by accelerating support for medical research through recognition of research excellence, education, and advocacy. Since 1945, the foundation has bestowed the Lasker Awards to recognize scientists, physicians, and public servants who have made major contributions to medical science.
The Schmidt Family Foundation advances the development of renewable energy and the wiser use of natural resources. Its grant-making operation, The 11th Hour Project, supports more than 150 non-profit organizations in program areas including climate and energy, ecological agriculture, human rights, and our maritime connection. In 2009, the Schmidts created the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI), and in 2012 launched the research vessel, Falkor, as a mobile platform to advance ocean exploration, discovery, and knowledge, and catalyze sharing of information about the oceans. In addition, through The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, the Schmidts support a variety of organizations addressing global issues in the fields of science and technology, education and the environment.
“We are excited to have such impressive leaders in science and discovery join the Alliance and lend their experiences to support philanthropists and institutions interested in giving to discovery science,” said Marc Kastner, President of the Alliance. “Our growing membership roster is one indicator of the interest in supporting discovery science research. discovery science asks the big questions about the fundamental workings of nature and the universe, and has resulted in game-changing discoveries, such as lasers, GPS, microprocessors, and gene editing.”
About Science Philanthropy Alliance
The Alliance’s mission is to increase private funding for discovery science research. It does this by providing advice and learning opportunities for individual philanthropists and foundation staffs on how to support basic research most effectively. The Science Philanthropy Alliance was founded in 2012 by six organizations: the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Kavli Foundation, the Simons Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and Research Corporation for Science Advancement.
Contact:
Ruby Barcklay, 1.510.612.5180, rbarcklay@sciphil.org