Science Philanthropy Alliance

About the Alliance

Science Philanthropy Alliance is a group of funders that have come together to increase philanthropic support for basic scientific research to accelerate scientific discovery in the 21st century. We accomplish this by understanding the opportunities and complexities philanthropists face in the daunting quest to fund basic science. We provide advice and learning opportunities for individuals and foundations so they can help answer scientific questions, solve big problems and further our knowledge about the natural world. We empower them to advance their own science interests and priorities. We do this by utilizing our deep connections in the worlds of science and philanthropy. By serving as impartial advisors to philanthropists, promoting collaboration among those who are interested in this vital stage of scientific discovery, and bringing together donors and top scientists, the Alliance aims to substantially increase philanthropic funding for fundamental research, and create a community of funders for discovery-driven scientific inquiry.

 Advisor

With the increasing demand for our advising services, we are adding the first team member who will be exclusively dedicated to advising.

Reporting to the vice president, the advisor’s primary role will be to advise high-net-worth individuals and their foundation staff on how to effectively support basic science research. The advisor will partner closely with the president and vice president to establish and deepen relationships with high net-worth individuals and their foundation staff

The advisor will drive the interactions with advisees and other prospective donors to basic science. As such, s/he will be responsible for overseeing a pool of members, advisees, prospective Alliance members, and prospective advisees to ensure consistent contact commensurate with their needs. The advisor will listen carefully to their funding needs, articulate the case for basic science research, and provide customized counsel on funding models and mechanisms as needed. The advisor will be knowledgeable about the Alliance members and their funding models, and will have a strong working relationship with the senior staff at the Alliance member organizations.

The advisor will also bring or build relationships with other basic science thought leaders in order to have broad knowledge of the basic science funding landscape.

Finally, the advisor will complement the work of the president and vice president to recruit new members and advisees to the Alliance, thus building the community of basic science research funders.