Science Foundation Arizona has received a $2.5 million donation from Stardust Foundation’s Jerry Bisgrove to help the new nonprofit get its start in promoting Arizona’s bioscience industry.
The contribution gives a major boost to the foundation, which has been operating with small contributions and three staff members since its launch earlier this year.
“It’s really a way to help us get started,” CEO Bill Harris told the Arizona Republic. “[Bisgrove] has made a huge contribution to help us start this thing now and not wait.”
The contribution will help SFAz increase recruitment efforts for 2-3 new staff positions and fund travel within Arizona to meet with political leaders, teachers, and others.
SFAz was created by the Greater Phoenix Leadership, Southern Arizona Leadership Council, and Flagstaff 40.
The idea for the foundation stems from Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap, a comprehensive study developed by the nonprofit research group Battelle and commissioned by the Flinn Foundation.
The Roadmap serves as a guide to focusing the state’s efforts in key scientific and research areas such as neurosciences, bioengineering, and cancer research.
For more information:
“$2.5 mil donation spurs efforts of Science Foundation Arizona,” Arizona Republic, 10/04/2006