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Guiding a Visionary Investment in Astrophysics: The Brinson Exploration Hub

As members of the Alliance since 2019, The Brinson Foundation engaged in a multi-year learning process—supported by personalized advising from former President Marc Kastner, current President France Córdova, and Senior Director of Philanthropic Advising Elizabeth Weiss—to identify a bold, strategic opportunity that could significantly accelerate scientific discovery in astrophysics and cosmology.

The result was a $100 million gift to Caltech to launch the Brinson Exploration Hub, an innovative research platform that brings together scientists and engineers from Caltech and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which Caltech manages for NASA, with the aim of accelerating scientific discovery. This new hub is designed to test groundbreaking ideas in astrophysics, space exploration, and related technologies by bridging academia, industry, and government. It will serve as a launchpad for interdisciplinary teams to move promising concepts swiftly from ideation to implementation.

The Alliance played a key role in shaping this philanthropic investment—helping the Foundation articulate its goals, assess potential models, and ultimately structure a gift that not only supports high-risk, high-reward research, but also creates unique opportunities for students and early-career scientists. The Brinson Exploration Hub’s first three projects were announced in early 2025. They were selected for their potential to drive scientific discovery in remote regions of the Earth and cosmos, and provide societal benefit.

The Brinson Exploration Hub will support a wide range of projects aimed at deepening our understanding of the universe, which has been of interest to the Foundation since its inception a quarter century ago. As Founder Gary Brinson said, “Not all projects supported by the Brinson Exploration Hub will succeed, but they will all inform. Good science is about taking calculated risks. It is often projects that involve pioneering new technologies or novel approaches that lead to unanticipated discoveries.”

The Science Philanthropy Alliance is proud to have served as a trusted advisor on this journey, helping to bring forward a major investment that will shape the future of astrophysics and inspire new generations of explorers.

“Not all projects supported by the Brinson Exploration Hub will succeed, but they will all inform. Good science is about taking calculated risks. It is often projects that involve pioneering new technologies or novel approaches that lead to unanticipated discoveries.”
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- Gary Brinson
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Responding to Crisis: Philanthropy in the COVID-19 Era

When COVID-19 emerged as a global crisis in early 2020, the Science Philanthropy Alliance moved quickly to support its members and advisees in responding with both urgency and foresight. While the pandemic disrupted normal operations for science funders worldwide, it also underscored the critical importance of sustained investment in basic research, much of which had laid the foundation for the rapid development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics.

In response, the Alliance shifted some of its advising capacity to focus on pandemic-related scientific efforts, ultimately influencing more than $133 million in funding for COVID-19-related research, including both basic and applied projects. The Alliance also acted as a rapid-response hub, launching a real-time database of funding opportunities, then matching proposals with interested donors.  

Under the leadership of its external science advisors—including Shirley Tilghman, who led a pandemic-focused working group—the Alliance helped shape funder priorities and identify research gaps. It also brought new expertise in-house, hiring an infectious disease fellow with support from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Donor Advised Fund, to further inform its advising in this area.

At a moment of global uncertainty, the Alliance served as a trusted guide and connector, supporting its network in navigating immediate challenges while reaffirming the long-term value of curiosity-driven research. Its COVID-era work is a lasting example of how philanthropic advising can pivot quickly, catalyze coordinated action, and reinforce the resilience of the scientific enterprise.

With support from The Kavli Foundation and the Simons Foundation, the Science Philanthropy Alliance developed the COVID-19 Basic Science Prequels, exploring the science behind the discoveries that have shaped our lives.
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Catalyzing Learning and Collaboration: Alliance Member Meetings

Since its founding, the Science Philanthropy Alliance has believed in the power of convening to share learning and build community among science philanthropists. Our member gatherings bring together a cross-section of funders, scientists, and thought leaders to explore emerging trends, exchange ideas, and forge new collaborations.

Each meeting is designed to spark candid dialogue and inspire action, offering the rare opportunity for funders to connect with peers to ask questions and share insights. From deep dives on neuroscience, AI, and astrophysics to sessions on scientific culture and responsible communication, the agenda consistently reflects the evolving frontiers of discovery science. As the Alliance’s network has grown, so too has the scale and ambition of these gatherings.

A formative moment in the Alliance’s convening history came in 2017, when the Simons Foundation hosted a Giving Pledge learning session on basic science philanthropy. The event brought together more than 30 Giving Pledge signatories and their representatives—one of the most well-attended learning sessions to date—to explore how philanthropists could meaningfully support basic research. The session not only raised the visibility of discovery science within a high-impact donor community but also set a tone for the Alliance’s convening approach: intimate, insight-rich, and action-oriented.

In 2024, the Alliance hosted two standout meetings. Our spring convening, “Exploring Philanthropy’s Role in Bridging Science, Ethics, and Policy,” was held in partnership with the Dana Foundation and drew over 100 participants. Speakers explored the responsibilities of science funders in a time of rapid technological change and cultural polarization, from navigating public trust to integrating ethical considerations into funding strategies.

Our fall meeting in Palo Alto, “Adaptation and Mitigation: Investing in Resilience,” focused on climate science and drew another 100+ attendees. Sessions featured leading scientists and communicators, including Charles Oppenheimer and Nobel laureate David Baker, and examined topics such as planetary health, nuclear energy, and the role of hope in advancing science. Breakout sessions and site visits to the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve and CrunchLabs underscored the Alliance’s commitment to experiential learning and creative engagement.

These convenings consistently generate insights and momentum. And throughout 2024, Alliance meetings continued to serve as a testing ground for new ideas, a space for honest conversation, and a trusted venue for peer exchange. As the Alliance looks to its next decade, member meetings remain central to our impact—helping to align and activate a growing community of funders committed to advancing the frontiers of science.

Science Philanthropy Alliance President France Córdova speaking at the Fall 2024 Member Meeting.

Fostering Community and Collaboration

Collaboration is at the heart of impactful science philanthropy. The Alliance serves as a bridge between funders, scientists, and policymakers, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing and strategic alignment. By fostering a strong community of funders, the Alliance helps members learn from each other, share experiences, and maximize the effectiveness of their giving. The relationships built through the Alliance lead to smarter funding decisions, more strategic partnerships, and increased coordination among philanthropic organizations investing in science.

Through convenings, working groups, and direct advising, the Alliance has facilitated key collaborations that are shaping the future of scientific research. By leveraging our extensive network, the Alliance connects donors with leading scientists and institutions, ensuring that funding decisions are informed by cutting-edge expertise. These efforts have resulted in new research centers, innovative funding models, and interdisciplinary partnerships that drive discovery forward.

Featured Stories

Catalyzing Learning and Collaboration at 
Alliance Member Meetings
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Responding to Crisis:
Philanthropy in the COVID-19 Era
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2024 HIGHLIGHT
Guiding a Visionary Investment in Astrophysics: The Brinson Exploration Hub
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