Science Philanthropy Alliance
The Science Philanthropy Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advisory organization that provides free philanthropic advising services to foundations and individual donors funding discovery science, serving a community of more than 40 member organizations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersPalo Alto, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Science Philanthropy Alliance does
The Science Philanthropy Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advisory organization founded in 2014 and headquartered in New York, NY. It exists to help philanthropists and foundations make more strategic investments in discovery science by providing free, personalized advising services on where and how to give. Its members are a community of more than 40 foundations and individual philanthropists committed to advancing long-term, nonpartisan investment in science.
The Alliance's core offering is human-delivered philanthropic advising organized around four pillars: landscape analysis and research, strategy development (including RFP design, grant review, and gift structuring), connection services linking funders to scientific experts and peer philanthropists, and curated community convenings. It also produces the annual Science Philanthropy Indicators Report in partnership with UC San Diego's FSIP Program and administers targeted grant programs such as the Packard Fellows Emergency Relief Fund and the What If…? Awards for Creative Medical Research. It does not sell software or proprietary technology; its intellectual property is a decade of accumulated institutional knowledge and a network of PhD-level staff and external science advisors that includes Nobel laureates, former university presidents, and former heads of federal science agencies.
The organization is funded entirely by membership contributions from its foundation members. Its go-to-market is community-led: services are delivered through direct one-on-one engagements, member referrals, and inbound contacts via its website and events. The Alliance reports influencing over $4 billion in science giving since founding, with 2024 activity alone comprising more than 100 advisory projects and over $170 million in influenced discovery science funding. Membership has grown from six founding foundations in 2014 to nearly 50 institutions by 2026, and the organization completed its transition to independent 501(c)(3) status in early 2025.
Science Philanthropy Alliance firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Science Philanthropy Alliance
- Legal name
- Science Philanthropy Alliance
- Website
- https://sciencephilanthropyalliance.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Science Philanthropy Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advisory organization that provides free philanthropic advising services to foundations and individual donors funding discovery science, serving a community of more than 40 member organizations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Science Philanthropy Alliance industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Philanthropic Advisory Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)
Keywords
Where Science Philanthropy Alliance is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Palo Alto
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Science Philanthropy Alliance business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Contributions: The Alliance's advisory services are offered at no cost to philanthropists. The organization is funded through contributions and support from its member organizations - foundations and philanthropists who share a commitment to advancing discovery science. Members contribute financially to enable the Alliance to serve new and emerging funders and expand the science philanthropy community.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Science Philanthropy Alliance product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Science Philanthropy Alliance provides free, tailored philanthropic advising services to foundations and individual philanthropists seeking to make high-impact investments in discovery science. Core service components include personalized guidance, landscape analyses, strategy development, and curated connections to scientific experts, peer funders, and research institutions. The Alliance also produces the annual Science Philanthropy Indicators Report and administers specific grant programs such as the Packard Fellows Emergency Relief Fund and the What If…? Awards.
Product overview
The Science Philanthropy Alliance is the world's first and longest-standing advising firm focused on helping philanthropists advance discovery science. Founded in 2014, the Alliance operates as a nonprofit advisory organization offering free tailored services including Guidance, Analysis, Strategy, and Connection to both emerging and established science funders. The organization produces the annual Science Philanthropy Indicators Report and administers grant programs such as the Packard Fellows Emergency Relief Fund and What If…? Awards. The core offering is expert philanthropic advising, not a software product. Services are made possible by a community of more than 40 member organizations who share the vision of advancing scientific discovery.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Philanthropic Advising Services Free, tailored advisory services offered to philanthropists and foundations to help them make high-impact investments in discovery science, including personalized guidance, research and landscape analyses, strategic program design, RFP and grant review support, and introductions to scientific experts, peer funders, and research institutions.
- Science Philanthropy Indicators Report An annual data-driven report offering detailed analysis of how private giving is shaping the U.S. scientific landscape, developed in partnership with UC San Diego's Frontiers in Science and Innovation Policy Program.
- Packard Fellows Emergency Relief Fund A $3.3 million rapid-response initiative administered by the Alliance to support Packard Fellows affected by federal funding disruptions, providing grants of up to $75,000.
- What If…? Awards for Creative Medical Research A philanthropic awards program supporting high-risk, high-reward biomedical and health science research with $500,000 pilot grants to research teams posing bold questions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Influenced over $4 billion in giving to science since 2014
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Science Philanthropy Alliance
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Science Philanthropy Alliance technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Science Philanthropy Alliance partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- UC San Diego Frontiers in Science and Innovation Policy (FSIP) ProgramcoreDeveloped the Science Philanthropy Indicators Report in partnership with the Alliance, drawing on 70 years of NSF data.
- Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (for IMI partnership)minorThe Alliance facilitated a collaboration between IMI and Sloan Foundation to launch the Sloan Science Prizes for YouTube.
- Open ImpactminorConsulting firm that worked alongside the Alliance and Prebys Foundation on the Prebys Research Heroes Award Program.
- Prebys FoundationcoreThe Alliance partnered with Prebys Foundation to co-design the $7 million Prebys Research Heroes Award Program.
- Independent Media Initiative (IMI)minorThe Alliance served as a close collaborator helping the Shanahan Family Foundation establish IMI, a nonprofit for science digital creators.
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Donor Advised FundminorProvided support for hiring an infectious disease fellow at the Alliance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Six Founding FoundationscoreThe Alliance was established by six forward-looking foundations and philanthropists who believed that basic research holds potential for transformative breakthroughs and recognized the urgent need to strengthen discovery science amid plateauing federal support.
- Allen Family PhilanthropiescoreMember organization that has partnered with the Alliance on Natural Climate Solutions initiatives, leveraging the Alliance's scientific RFP and review process expertise.
- Rita Allen FoundationcoreMember organization of the Alliance, committed to advancing discovery science.
- Azrieli FoundationcoreMember organization and Board Chair Naomi Azrieli leads the Alliance's Board of Directors.
- Chan Zuckerberg InitiativecoreThe Alliance advised CZI in its early formation in 2015, helping shape its approach to supporting discovery science. CZI publicly launched its science initiative in 2017.
- Dana FoundationcoreMember organization where President Caroline Montojo serves on the Alliance's Board of Directors.
- David & Lucile Packard FoundationcoreMember organization that funded the $3.3 million Packard Fellows Emergency Relief Fund, administered by the Alliance.
- Gordon and Betty Moore FoundationcoreMember organization where former President Harvey Fineberg served as the Alliance's inaugural Board Chair.
- Kavli FoundationcoreMember organization where President Cynthia Friend serves as Board Chair of the Alliance.
- Leinweber FoundationcoreMember organization that has worked with the Alliance since 2021 to shape its philanthropic strategy. The Alliance supported Larry Leinweber in building a network of Leinweber Institutes for Theoretical Physics.
- Alfred P. Sloan FoundationcoreMember organization committed to science philanthropy.
- Simons FoundationcoreMember organization where President David Spergel serves on the Alliance's Board. Hosted the Alliance's Spring 2026 Members Meeting.
- John Templeton FoundationcoreMember organization that partnered with the Alliance on the Independent Media Initiative.
- Wellcome TrustcoreMember organization of the Alliance.
- Gates FoundationcoreMember organization of the Alliance.
- Burroughs Wellcome FundcoreMember organization where President Louis Muglia serves on the Alliance's Board.
- Albert and Mary Lasker FoundationcoreMember organization where President Claire Pomeroy serves on the Alliance's Board.
- Robert Wood Johnson FoundationcoreMember organization of the Alliance.
- Heising-Simons FoundationcoreMember organization of the Alliance.
- Lyda Hill PhilanthropiescoreMember organization of the Alliance.
- Brinson FoundationcoreMember since 2019, engaged the Alliance for multi-year advising leading to a $100 million gift to Caltech for the Brinson Exploration Hub.
- Schmidt SciencescoreMember organization of the Alliance.
- Doris Duke FoundationcoreMember organization of the Alliance.
- Pew Charitable TrustscoreMember organization of the Alliance.
- Research Corporation for Science AdvancementcoreMember organization where President Eric Isaacs serves on the Alliance's Board.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Science Philanthropy Alliance competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Foundation Strategy Group: Consulting firm providing strategic advising, executive search, and program design to family foundations and philanthropists. Direct peer because it delivers similar advisory services in grantmaking strategy and program design to a comparable client base of high-net-worth philanthropists and family foundations.
- Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO): Nonprofit that supports foundations and philanthropists in strengthening grantmaking practice through learning, research, and peer communities. Comparable to the Alliance in being a nonprofit, community-funded learning and advising intermediary serving foundation grantmakers with research-driven programming.
- National Center for Family Philanthropy: Membership-supported nonprofit that provides education, research, and peer learning resources to family foundations. Comparable to the Alliance in serving foundations and philanthropists with structured learning, communities of practice, and strategic resources, with overlap in serving emerging science philanthropists from family-foundation backgrounds.
- The Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP): Nonprofit research and advisory organization that provides funders with data-driven assessment tools, research, and consulting. Direct peer to the Alliance because both operate as impartial, research-led advisors to foundations without fee-for-service revenue, and compete for the same leadership attention from foundation CEOs and trustees.
- The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI): Nonprofit consulting firm that advises philanthropists and foundations globally on strategy, governance, and impact. Comparable to the Alliance because it provides tailored, expert advisory engagements on grantmaking strategy for foundation clients and shares a similar nonprofit consulting model rather than fee-for-service product model.
Emerging players
- Exponent Philanthropy: Membership organization serving leanly staffed foundations with resources, peer learning, and advocacy. Comparable as a membership-based nonprofit supporting foundations with structured programming, with partial overlap in serving emerging science philanthropists operating small foundations.
Broad incumbents
- Arabella Advisors: Larger philanthropic advisory firm and impact investing consultant that advises major philanthropists and foundations on strategy, grantmaking, and operations. Comparable to the Alliance in providing bespoke philanthropic advising to high-net-worth donors, though broader in scope and fee-based rather than free.
- Council on Foundations: Long-standing membership association for U.S. and global foundations providing policy, advocacy, networking, and educational programming. Comparable to the Alliance as a membership/community-based organization serving foundation leadership, though broader and more established, and not advisory in the same tailored sense.
- Philanthropy Roundtable: Membership association of philanthropists and foundations providing peer learning and advocacy on a broad set of causes. Comparable as a membership model serving donor families and foundations with educational programming, though focused on broad strategic philanthropy rather than science-specific advising.
Others
- Open Impact: Mission-driven consulting firm partnering with philanthropists and foundations on program design, strategy, and evaluation. Adjacent/comparable to the Alliance because it has been an implementation partner on Alliance-led engagements (e.g., Prebys Research Heroes Awards program) and competes for similar foundation advisory engagements.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Science Philanthropy Alliance social profiles
Digital presenceScience Philanthropy Alliance financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Science Philanthropy Alliance leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Science Philanthropy Alliance funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Science Philanthropy Alliance M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Science Philanthropy Alliance
What does Science Philanthropy Alliance do?
The Science Philanthropy Alliance provides free, tailored philanthropic advising services to foundations and individual philanthropists seeking to make high-impact investments in discovery science. Core service components include personalized guidance, landscape analyses, strategy development, and curated connections to scientific experts, peer funders, and research institutions. The Alliance also produces the annual Science Philanthropy Indicators Report and administers specific grant programs such as the Packard Fellows Emergency Relief Fund and the What If…? Awards.
Is Science Philanthropy Alliance a public or private company?
Science Philanthropy Alliance is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Science Philanthropy Alliance founded?
Science Philanthropy Alliance was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Science Philanthropy Alliance based?
Science Philanthropy Alliance is headquartered in Palo Alto, United States, in the North America region.
How does Science Philanthropy Alliance make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Contributions.
Who are Science Philanthropy Alliance's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Foundation Strategy Group, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO), National Center for Family Philanthropy, The Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) and The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI). Exponent Philanthropy is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Arabella Advisors, Council on Foundations and Philanthropy Roundtable. Open Impact is listed as an others.
Does Science Philanthropy Alliance have an API?
No public API is recorded for Science Philanthropy Alliance.
What industry is Science Philanthropy Alliance in?
Science Philanthropy Alliance's product category is Philanthropic Advisory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAI, Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAE, Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries. Its NAICS code is 8132 and its SIC code is 8600.