The Science Philanthropy Alliance announced that three foundations have joined the Alliance, supporting its mission to increase private funding for basic science. The Brinson Foundation, Ross M. Brown Family Foundation, and Sergey Brin Family Foundation have all joined as associate members. The Alliance’s membership, which consisted of six founding members in 2015, now totals 29.

The Brinson Foundation is a privately funded philanthropic organization that supports the Brinson family’s common interests in encouraging personal initiative, advancing individual freedoms and liberties, and positively contributing to society in the areas of education and scientific research. Areas of focus in science include astrophysics, cosmology, evolutionary developmental biology, geophysics, and medical research.

Recognizing that technology has been a major factor in lifting the human condition, The Ross M. Brown Family Foundation is dedicated to sponsoring research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

The Sergey Brin Family Foundation supports basic science and sees it as foundational to therapeutic progress. The foundation has a long-standing commitment to Parkinson’s disease patients, their advocates, and the scientific research community, and actively seeks innovative models that accelerate basic research.

“We are thrilled to have such enthusiastic supporters of basic science join our community,” said Valerie Conn, executive director of the Alliance. “Basic science can lead to momentous discoveries that have far-reaching benefits to humankind, and philanthropists are in a great position to support the kinds of research that the government may not.”