The buoniconti fund to cure paralysis

What The buoniconti fund to cure paralysis does

The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1992 by the Buoniconti family, operating as the dedicated fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine founded in 1985. The organization raises funds through individual donations, major philanthropic gifts, event-based fundraising (the annual Great Sports Legends Dinner, Poker4Life, and Equestrian Legends Celebrity Polo), and merchandise sales, channeling all proceeds to support The Miami Project's research mission. The Miami Project's scientific portfolio spans neuroregeneration, neuroplasticity, neuromodulation, neuroprotection, and cell therapy, with core proprietary platforms including inflammasome biology and the IC100 monoclonal antibody (US Patent Application 12/182,886), nanovanilloid-based intranasal brain cooling technology, Schwann cell-derived exosome therapy, vagal nerve stimulation paired with rehabilitation, and brain-computer interface research including participation as a Neuralink PRIME Study clinical trial site.

The organization serves individuals with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, multiple sclerosis), as well as U.S. military veterans with neurological trauma, through clinical trial participation, the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center (an $185 million, 80-bed facility opened in 2021), community outreach, and the Henry G. Steinbrenner Scholars Program. Revenue mechanics are diversified across federal grants (NIH/NINDS, DoD CDMRP), major philanthropic gifts (Lois Pope $10M in 2025, Christine Lynn $25M in 2021), and event-driven fundraising; the organization operates a commercial spin-off, Inflamacore, LLC, which develops inflammasome-targeting therapeutics. The center fields nearly 40 faculty and over 200 total scientists, researchers, clinicians, and support staff, holds a Charity Navigator Four Star Rating, and in 2026 received the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Health Care Heroes Award, reflecting four decades of sustained institutional scale.

Name

The buoniconti fund to cure paralysis

Legal name

The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis

Website

https://themiamiproject.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis is the 501(c)(3) fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, raising and deploying funds for neuroscience research targeting spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases through a multidisciplinary team of nearly 40 faculty and 200+ staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Neurological Research Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF), Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN)

Keywords

• Spinal cord injury research
• Neurological clinical trials
• Neuroscience research programs
• Nonprofit medical fundraising
• Brain injury research

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations and Fundraising: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1992, The Buoniconti Fund raises funds through individual donations, major gifts, event ticket sales, sponsorships, and merchandise sales (The Buoniconti Fund shop). All funds are used to support The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis is the fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. It raises charitable donations and grants to fund spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative disease research, clinical trials, rehabilitation services, and community education programs. All funds support The Miami Project's mission to repair and restore function to the injured and diseased nervous system.

Product overview

The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis (also known as The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) is a non-profit research organization affiliated with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, established in 1985. The organization operates primarily through two integrated entities: The Miami Project conducts cutting-edge scientific research across multiple programs including neuroregeneration, neuroplasticity, neuromodulation, neuroprotection, and cell therapy; while The Buoniconti Fund serves as the fundraising arm, established in 1992, dedicated to raising awareness and resources. The organization provides clinical trial participation opportunities, operates the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for patient care, offers educational programs like the Henry G. Steinbrenner Scholars Program, and has spun off biotech ventures including InflamaCORE. Recent innovations include participation in Neuralink's brain-computer interface trials, development of nanovanilloid-based brain cooling technology, and establishment of a Biomarkers Core using Simoa HD-X technology for ultra-sensitive fluid biomarker detection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Darrell Gwynn Chapter: A local chapter of The Buoniconti Fund focused on wheelchair donation programs and quality of life initiatives for spinal cord injury patients, named after Darrell Gwynn, a former professional drag racer who established the chapter.

Products and services

• The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis A non-profit research center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine conducting basic science, translational, and clinical research aimed at repairing and restoring function to the injured and diseased nervous system for individuals living with spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases.
• The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis The 501(c)(3) nonprofit fundraising arm of The Miami Project, dedicated to raising charitable donations, major gifts, sponsorships, and event proceeds to fund spinal cord injury research, clinical trials, and community programs.
• Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center State-of-the-art 80-bed inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation facility serving patients recovering from traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cancer treatment, and other complex conditions, featuring aquatic therapy, exoskeletons, integrated therapy systems, and gait and balance training technology.
• Clinical Trials and Research Studies Participation opportunities for individuals with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other neurological conditions to enroll in clinical trials and research studies conducted by Miami Project researchers, including the Neuralink PRIME Study, ARC Therapy, VNS+Rehab, transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation, and Deep Brain Stimulation trials.
• Henry G. Steinbrenner Scholars Program A 10-week in-person summer research internship for local undergraduate students focused on neurotrauma research, providing didactic and practical laboratory training, journal clubs, and career development workshops at The Miami Project.

Quantifiable outcome

• 72% of participants in ARC Therapy transcutaneous stimulation clinical trial experienced meaningful improvements in strength for chronic SCI.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NeuralinkcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025The Miami Project was selected as a U.S. site for Neuralink's PRIME (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface) Study. Miami Project surgeons implanted Neuralink's wireless brain-computer interface device in a paralyzed U.S. military veteran (RJ), making him the fifth Neuralink participant and the first implanted at this institution. The PRIME Study assesses the safety and functionality of Neuralink's intracortical BCI implant.
• Inflamacore, LLCcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2009Inflamacore, LLC was founded in 2009 based on discoveries by Miami Project researchers. The company focuses on early inflammatory events corresponding to the innate immune response after CNS injury and develops anti-inflammatory antibody treatments (including IC100) targeting the inflammasome. Headquartered at UMMSM. Received NIH STTR funding for humanization of the anti-ASC antibody.
• Onward MedicalcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnward Medical is the industry sponsor for the Up-LIFT study, which evaluated transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) at The Miami Project for improving upper extremity function in chronic SCI patients. Onward has manufactured an implanted version of the tSCS device and is pursuing a trial for orthostatic hypotension in SCI.
• Onward MedicalcoreTechnology or IntegrationVNS+Rehab therapy developed by The Miami Project's Dr. Patrick Ganzer has received FDA approval for upper extremity motor function improvement following ischemic stroke. The FDA-approved therapy is now commercially available, with ongoing research for SCI applications.
• Harvard Clinical and Translational Science CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Juan Pablo de Rivero Vaccari received biomarker science training at the Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center as part of his professional development.
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. de Rivero Vaccari has conducted NASA-related research for 5 years, carrying out microgravity experiments at Kennedy Space Center's Microgravity Simulation Support Facility. Serves as CNS Injury sub-group lead for NASA's Alzheimer's Disease and Brain Resilience Analysis Working Group. Participant in Boosting Spaceflight Underrepresented Research Equity (B-SURE) supported by TRISH.
• Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center – Translational and Clinical Oncology Research ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. de Rivero Vaccari is faculty of the Translational and Clinical Oncology Research Program at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, enabling cross-disciplinary biomarker and immunology research.
• University of Miami Miller School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Miami Project is a Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, integrated with the Department of Neurological Surgery, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and other academic departments. Provides faculty appointments, research infrastructure, and academic oversight.
• Jackson Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJackson Health System is a partner in the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center, providing clinical care infrastructure, nursing staff, therapists, and administrative support alongside The Miami Project's research programs.
• University of Miami Brain Endowment BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Brain Endowment Bank supports Alzheimer's and neurodegenerative disease research collaborations funded by the State of Florida, working with Miami Project investigators on biomarker studies.
• Marquette University (Dr. Murray Blackmore Lab)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing collaboration between Dr. Pantelis Tsoulfas at The Miami Project and Dr. Murray Blackmore at Marquette University for supraspinal connectome research in SCI using viral tracing and light-sheet microscopy.
• Shake-A-Leg Miami (SALM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Shake-A-Leg Miami, a nonprofit providing ocean access for people with disabilities. The Miami Project links its medical campus, marine campus, and Gables campus to integrate SCI mission into climate resilience, architecture, engineering, and communication programs.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: The leading U.S. nonprofit funding spinal cord injury research and care, with a mission and constituency (people living with paralysis) that directly overlap with The Miami Project/Buoniconti Fund. Already a documented incumbent partner for The Miami Project's medical education program.
• Wings for Life: Global nonprofit foundation funding spinal cord injury research with similar grantmaking and awareness-raising mission. Austria-based but globally active; directly comparable in funding model and SCI research focus area.
• Craig H. Neilsen Foundation: A leading U.S. private foundation exclusively funding spinal cord injury research and quality-of-life programs, founded by the late casino executive Craig Neilsen after his SCI. Highly comparable as a focused, mission-aligned grantmaker.
• Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center: University of Louisville-based academic spinal cord injury research center with multidisciplinary faculty and federal funding. Provides a near-twin academic peer model to The Miami Project's research-center arm, with similar NIH R01 portfolio.
• Reeve-Irvine Research Center: UC Irvine-based spinal cord injury basic research center established by the Reeve Foundation. Closely comparable as an academic SCI research center pursuing parallel goals of repair, regeneration, and functional recovery.
• Unite 2 Fight Paralysis: U.S.-based nonprofit advocacy and research-funding organization focused on curing paralysis, with overlapping donor and SCI-community populations. A smaller but directly comparable mission-aligned peer.
• Paralyzed Veterans of America: U.S. nonprofit serving U.S. military veterans with spinal cord injury, funding both research and quality-of-life programs. Overlaps in SCI patient community, federal funding channels, and event-driven fundraising.

Regional players

• Spinal Research (UK): U.K.-based charity funding spinal cord injury research and clinical translation; mirrors The Buoniconti Fund's fundraising-and-grantmaking model but operates primarily in the U.K. and Europe rather than North America.

Broad incumbents

• ALS Association: Major disease-focused nonprofit funding ALS research, clinical care, and advocacy with a multi-hundred-million-dollar annual budget. A scaled, mature peer in the disease-research-fundraising model that The Buoniconti Fund aspires to in SCI/neurodegeneration.
• Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research: The largest patient-led, disease-focused nonprofit research funder in neurodegeneration with a globally recognized brand and major-gift model. Comparable in fundraising model (events, major donors, celebrity involvement) and translational research funding, with Parkinson's disease mission overlap with the Miami Project's inflammasome/Alzheimer's research.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/BuonicontiFund
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCahFhMvMF050Rch5QmSZbQg
• Facebookfacebook.com/cureparalysis
• Instagraminstagram.com/themiamiproject

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The buoniconti fund to cure paralysis