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advising the launch of the chan zuckerberg initiative

In 2015, the Science Philanthropy Alliance was approached to advise two emerging philanthropists—Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan—as they began designing what would become the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI). Eager to make transformative investments in science but new to the field, the couple sought expert guidance to help shape their approach to supporting discovery science.

Marc Kastner, then president of the Science Philanthropy Alliance, played a central role in this engagement. Alongside the Alliance’s science and philanthropic advising teams, Kastner worked closely with the CZI staff to help articulate a vision for their science program. The Alliance advised on potential funding models, supported the development of a scientific advisory board, and provided strategic counsel on how to structure a philanthropy capable of making long-term, meaningful contributions to basic research.

This advisory work built on the Alliance’s early vision for a trusted, impartial advisor to help new philanthropists navigate the complexity of science funding. CZI was one of the Alliance’s earliest and most high-profile advising engagements—and it set a precedent for how the Alliance could support bold, emerging funders.

When CZI publicly launched its science initiative in 2017, it included a landmark commitment to supporting basic research with the goal of curing, preventing, or managing all disease by the end of the century. The Alliance was publicly acknowledged for its role in shaping CZI’s focus on discovery science.

Today, CZI is a leading force in biomedical research, reimagining how science is done at the intersection of AI and biology. Its early partnership with the Science Philanthropy Alliance is a powerful example of how expert advising can help new philanthropists enter the field with clarity, ambition, and a strategy for lasting impact.

In this video from 2016, Science Philanthropy Alliance Board Members congratulate Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan on the launch of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
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Establishing the ross brown investigator PROGRAM

In 2018, newly retired entrepreneur Ross Brown contacted the Science Philanthropy Alliance with an ambitious goal: to dedicate the majority of his fortune—nearly half a billion dollars—to advancing discovery science. Though he was deeply committed to the cause, Brown was new to science philanthropy and, as he candidly put it in his first conversation with Alliance leaders, “didn’t know what the hell [he] was doing.”

With the Alliance’s support, Brown embarked on a deeply engaged philanthropic journey. Working closely with Senior Director of Philanthropic Advising Sue Merrilees, he explored giving models, met with institutional leaders, and learned from peer philanthropists.

Over several years, he refined a bold yet focused vision: a fellowship program that would provide significant, unrestricted support to mid-career chemists and physicists—those with “restless minds” and perhaps high-risk, high-reward ideas. He valued leanness and impact over scale and bureaucracy, aiming to support science directly rather than build a large foundation.

The result was the Brown Investigator Program, which awarded its first fellowships in 2021 and scaled up quickly in subsequent years. But as Brown considered the long-term future of the program, he became concerned about the risk of mission drift and unrestrained overhead expenses. Rather than build a perpetually staffed institution, he sought a partner whose values aligned with his own—and who could provide durable, trusted stewardship of the program.

That partner turned out to be Caltech, chosen not because it was his alma mater, but because he had observed it for over 70 years, “and it was remarkably unchanged.” In 2023, Brown finalized a $400 million gift to establish the Brown Institute for Basic Sciences at Caltech, which would take over administration of the program through 2070. The agreement was notable not only for its scale, but also for its structure. Caltech committed to awarding at least eight Brown Investigator grants per year—each providing $2 million in unrestricted funding over five years—while also receiving support for related research activity in chemistry and physics and for convening an annual scientific symposium.

This model was carefully designed to be a win-win: investigators across the country benefit from flexible support during a pivotal stage in their careers, while Caltech is resourced to maintain program fidelity and community without bearing undue administrative or opportunity costs.

For Brown, the arrangement offers peace of mind: a lasting legacy that reflects his values and supports generations of scientists. For Caltech, it’s an opportunity to amplify its role as a hub for discovery science while fostering a national community of investigators. And for the field, it sets a precedent—showing how thoughtful philanthropy can craft institutional partnerships that are both strategic and sustaining.

"Over several years, he refined a bold yet focused vision: a fellowship program that would provide significant, unrestricted support to mid-career chemists and physicists—those with 'restless minds' and perhaps high-risk, high-reward ideas."
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advancing climate solutions with Allen Family Philanthropies

When Allen Family Philanthropies (formerly the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation) launched a new initiative to support Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) in the Pacific Northwest, it sought to fund innovative, community-driven projects that addressed climate change while benefiting biodiversity and human well-being. To support the initiative’s success, Allen Family Philanthropies partnered with the Science Philanthropy Alliance to implement a rigorous scientific request-for-proposal (RFP) and external review process.

The Alliance worked closely with Allen Family Philanthropies’ Environment team to lead a competitive review and selection process grounded in both scientific and community considerations. The RFP received 132 letters of interest and 38 full proposals and brought in a wide range of academic, nonprofit, Indigenous, and cross-sector partners, including 82% who had never previously received funding from the foundation.

The Alliance recruited and managed a diverse scientific review panel of nine experts representing a range of disciplines and identities, including hydrology, soil science, marine biology, and traditional ecological knowledge. Each proposal underwent a detailed multi-factor evaluation, followed by a structured in-person panel discussion facilitated by the Alliance. This process not only yielded six standout proposals totaling $5.7 million in recommended funding, but also extended Allen Family Philanthropies’ internal grantmaking capacity, enhanced its reputation among peer funders the foundation hadn’t worked with before, and opened additional doors to future co-funding partnerships.

The initiative’s reach and rigor further positioned Allen Family Philanthropies as a credible, strategic, and values-aligned funder in a complex and evolving domain. The Alliance’s role in shaping and stewarding this process highlights how tailored scientific advising can unlock new philanthropic approaches and accelerate meaningful investment in underfunded areas of discovery.

"This process not only yielded six standout proposals totaling $5.7 million in recommended funding, but also extended Allen Family Philanthropies’ internal grantmaking capacity, enhanced its reputation among peer funders the foundation hadn’t worked with before, and opened additional doors to future co-funding partnerships."

Elevating and Expanding Science Philanthropy

Science philanthropy plays a unique and irreplaceable role in advancing fundamental research that often lacks immediate commercial or government funding. The Science Philanthropy Alliance was founded on the belief that philanthropy can fill critical gaps, supporting high-risk, high-reward research that fuels innovation. By introducing new funders to science, the Alliance has expanded the philanthropic landscape, ensuring that essential areas of discovery are not left behind.
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A significant part of this effort involves educating philanthropists on the most effective ways to support science. The Alliance provides guidance on best practices, underfunded research areas, and emerging scientific opportunities, ensuring that donor contributions have a lasting impact. Through policy efforts, field-building initiatives, and in-depth advising, the Alliance has helped create a more informed and strategic science funding ecosystem, empowering donors to make transformative investments in discovery science.

Featured Stories

Advising the Launch of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
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Establishing the Ross Brown Investigator Program
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2024 HIGHLIGHT
advancing Climate Solutions with Allen Family Philanthropies
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