For the future of science we accelerate strategic philanthropy now

We listen. We advise. We introduce. We convene. We strategize. We bridge. We translate. We educate. We share. We celebrate. We partner. We support. We include. We uplift

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We listen. We advise. We introduce. We convene. We strategize. We bridge. We translate. We educate. We share. We celebrate. We partner. We support. We include. We uplift 🔭

Mission

Building community to advance science and impact.

Vision

Trusted philanthropy strategist facilitating relationships to conn-ect more funding, faster, to scientists.

  • We are focused on building relationships between philanthropists and scientists, not on executing transactions.

  • We confidentially listen, observe and share.

  • We believe supporting women who support science leads to more inclusive and equitable funding.

  • We know that relationships, and science solutions, take time to cultivate.

values

Conn-ect Science to Philanthropy

We bring unparalleled experience. We helped create the field of science philanthropy advising. After more than thirty years in science philanthropy — in the first generation of science philanthropy advising professionals — we’ve learned that givers seek help from people they trust. 

We are bridge builders between science and philanthropy. We offer givers the models, strategy, subject matter experts, and communities that inspire confidence when supporting science. 

We are conn-ected to scientists across all fields, from astronomy to zoonotic disease. Effective giving requires scientific expertise, knowledge of today’s leading work, and insight into research teams and institutions. We know this landscape is complex, so we work with givers, their staff, and other advisors to demystify how to best support science. We will connect you with peers and institutions to join on your giving journey.  

We are neutral brokers. With us, you will feel confident that your philanthropic investment in science is well placed. 

Why us?

Solve with Science

Covid-19 and climate change highlight the urgent need for science solutions. Yet in the twenty-first century, as more people become mega-wealthy, few develop plans to unlock science solutions by systematically and charitably giving their money away during their lifetimes. New funders face obstacles determining how their support will benefit people and our planet. Established givers may also yearn to shift their strategies as science advances and new research opportunities open up.  

Why now?

advising services

We advise many clients on both the giving and getting sides of science funding. We pressure test their ideas and expand their viewpoints based on our knowledge of the science and philanthropy ecosystems. We span the boundaries between many constituents by translating their needs and priorities, such as between funders and scientists, principals and their staffs, and scientists and their institutions.

Our network enables us to hear from subject matter experts in any field of science and seek the advice of peer science donors. We adeptly build community to accelerate learning and giving. Woven through everything we do is the art of persuasive science communications, which we practice through story-telling and story-sharing.

Our work is frequently concentrated in two areas:

strategy

Recent work includes:

  • Repositioning organizations that are at an inflection point, including designing infrastructure and launching new programs

  • Inspiring confidence in giving to science 

  • Engaging new funding partners

  • Facilitating science events

  • Building mission-aligned communities

  • Giving can be complex, overwhelming, emotional, unpredictable and messy. We help givers look both short and long term, to embrace the sometimes risky and always scientifically fascinating learning journey of science philanthropy. Our experience validates that giving, learning and creating a funding strategy often happen simultaneously, rarely in a linear, deliberate manner. We are comfortable with being thrown into these fast-paced, “messy” situations provided the funder is highly motivated to drive new funding to science.

Recent work includes:

  • Mentoring principals and their staffs who are new to science philanthropy

  • Advising seasoned philanthropists who are leading science fundraising campaigns 

  • Coaching science leaders to increase their fundraising success 

  • Convening WiSe dinners (Women Who Support Science)

science philanthropy field buildiNG

  • Although science philanthropy has been around since the Medici Princes funded Galileo, today there is an appetite from funders (principals, their staff and advisors), and institutional leaders (scientists, administrative leaders and their development staff) to increase their skills and knowledge in science philanthropy. The more people on every side of the science funding equation who are skilled and comfortable with science philanthropy, the faster and more confidently funding will flow to scientific research.