Introduction to Science Philanthropy: Part Three - Finding Partners on Your Science Philanthropy Journey

This article is the third in a four-part series to introduce you to the world of science philanthropy (Part 1 is here; Part 2 is here). These articles are based on materials developed with support from the Gates Foundation with the goal of increasing philanthropic support for scientific research and development. Additional materials can be found at Future Science Now and Philanthropic Partnerships at the Gates Foundation.

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You’ve helped your client zero-in on a particular problem or philanthropic niche they want to focus on and determined that funding scientific research is an effective way to address the topic. 

So, what steps do you take to identify and fund worthy projects?

Determine How Engaged Your Client Wants to be in Sourcing Projects

At this stage, ask whether your client—or their staff if they have one—wants to do the research to source and evaluate fundable projects that align with their philanthropic strategy. If they prefer not to get deeply involved, do you have that expertise? Or will you need to enlist partners? 

A. Proactive

Your client or their staff are proactive about finding fundable people and projects as they have their own scientific expertise, or have access to knowledgeable experts. (More about science advisors, below). This means they will go out and explore the landscape of possible projects to fund, and then will advise about which opportunities to fund.

B. Reactive

If your client doesn’t have the expertise in-house to source fundable scientific research projects, they may choose to wait for the projects to come to them. It’s not unusual for wealthy individuals to receive unsolicited funding proposals, from friends, or directly from scientists or non-profits. A downside of this approach is unsolicited proposals may not align with your client’s area of interest. 

C. Collaborative

In this scenario, you can serve as a bridge by seeking advice from a peer who either has scientific expertise, or a network and track record of surfacing compelling science research projects for other donors. 

Build Your Team

1. Build A Team of Advisors

   Scientific research is constantly producing breakthroughs and leading to new knowledge and approaches. It’s difficult for advisors who are not immersed in science to stay on top of current science. I recommend each donor builds a team of trusted advisors, optimally with people in these categories:

   1. Philanthropy Advisors

      Philanthropy advisors help clients explore how to align their interests with their values and resources. Your client may need guidance to understand the different paths available and the tools and techniques to turn their interest into impact. 

   2. Peer Mentors and Collaborators

      Many funders initially “ask around” to see if friends or colleagues are giving to their interest area. For instance, your client may recall that their friend’s mother has Parkinson’s, and they learn that their friend has had a great experience funding the The Michael J. Fox Foundation. That may make your client feel comfortable following her lead. You could help by asking for an introduction to someone at the Michael J. Fox Foundation so you can learn about their work and assist with due diligence before your client makes their first donation. You could also encourage your client to fund alongside their friend, so together their gifts can make a bigger impact to a given organization or scientist. Such a co-funding approach can feel less risky, and more rewarding, than funding alone.

   3. Science Advisors

      Once you have helped your client narrow their scientific interests (i.e, global health vs. biodiversity vs. cancer), consider supplementing your “team” with one or more scientists with expertise in the given topic. Getting to know and trust a scientist will expand your knowledge of the thrills, and complexities, of the scientific research ecosystem (see Part 1 of this series). One caution is not to rely too heavily on one of your client’s grantees for scientific advice. I have seen scientists position themselves as advisors with the goal of receiving more funding for their own research, rather than to act as an unbiased advisor for the donor.

   More practical advice about selecting and building your team of advisors can be found in Learn from Experts and Choose Your Guides in the Science Philanthropy Giving Guide.

2. Identify Additional Partners

   In the past decade new approaches to funding science have emerged. Some involve joining or utilizing a group of like-minded donors to explore funding opportunities. Another is working with a scientific organization that surfaces funding opportunities.

   1. Science Giving Communities

      There are organizations that your client may be able to join or hire to learn alongside peer science funders and to discover credibly sourced and diligenced funding opportunities. A few examples:

      • Science Philanthropy Alliance convenes a community of funders who support breakthrough discovery science and helps them build philanthropic plans to achieve real-world impacts.

      • Climate Lead gives tailored support and specialized expertise to wealthy individuals and families willing to make significant contributions to address the climate crisis.

      • Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (at the Milken Institute for Strategic Philanthropy) works with individuals and organizations to identify and catalyze investments that accelerate scientific and medical research resulting in better health.

   2. New Science Models

      Inside Philanthropy defines a philanthropy intermediary as an organization that connects funders to the groups they fund. An intermediary organization has the expertise and experience to source, endorse, and track worthy scientific projects. They also may offer learning and engagement opportunities so funders can meet and learn alongside other like-minded donors.

      Examples:

      1. Convergent Research builds non-profit startups which are focused research organizations inventing next generation tools for science.

      2. Redwoods has several resources for funders including sourcing and sharing a members-only platform of expertly diligenced climate funding opportunities.

      These intermediaries are transparent about who their grantees are and give the funder the opportunity to “shop online”, viewing grantee websites to learn about the grantees and their funding needs.

Understanding the role your client wants to play in sourcing projects will help determine what type of partners for your client to engage. Finding advisors and mentors for your client, and partners to fund with them can expedite giving, increase impact, and give the donor more confidence during their science philanthropy journey.

Previous Article in Series - Part 2: How Does Giving to Science Work? Next Article in Series - Part 4: Charting a Course in Science Philanthropy

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