The Cura Foundation

What The Cura Foundation does

The Cura Foundation is a nonsectarian, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 2007 by Dr. Robin L. Smith and headquartered in New York. The foundation's core mission is to improve global human health through a portfolio of programs spanning research funding (cell therapy, gene therapy, regenerative medicine and immunotherapy), public health education and PSA campaigns (notably #UniteToPrevent, which achieved 535M+ impressions across TV and radio), humanitarian aid (1 Billion Meals Initiative over 10 years; COVID-19 PPE distribution to vulnerable seniors and children), and high-profile convening (the International Vatican Conference series co-hosted with the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Culture since 2011, with a fifth edition held in 2021). The foundation operates a wholly-owned subsidiary, Stem for Life Foundation, which serves as the advocacy arm for cell and gene therapies.

The foundation is funded primarily through grants from a small set of major philanthropic donors — including the John Templeton Foundation, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, and The Marcus Foundation — alongside corporate partners such as Sanford Health (one of the largest US health systems, with 46 hospitals) and public donations. Strategic partners for program execution include the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Culture, WNICER (a multinational clinical research network), Alliance for Cell Therapy Now, Samaritan's Feet International (which has distributed footwear to 9.2M people across 109 countries through Cura's partnership), Circle H Foundation, NFL Alumni Health, and academic institutions including Duke University (which led the FDA-approved MIS-C cell therapy trial co-sponsored with Cura). The foundation reaches beneficiaries across multiple geographies including the USA, Vatican City, Canada, and the UAE, while relying on partner NGOs for last-mile distribution in 109–190+ countries.

The foundation's economic model is donation- and grant-based rather than commercial. Revenue, headcount, and endowment figures are not publicly disclosed. Its product set is portfolio-shaped rather than a single platform, comprising CuraLink newsletter, webinar series, Vatican conferences and think tanks, the #UniteToPrevent PSA campaign, the COVID-19 PPE Program, the 1 Billion Meals food security initiative, and curated research funding for unmet medical needs. Two Silver Anthem Awards (2022) for #UniteToPrevent constitute its most recent formal third-party recognition. There are no patents, software products, AI/ML capabilities, or commercial technology assets disclosed in the input data.

Name

The Cura Foundation

Legal name

The Cura Foundation

Website

https://thecurafoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Cura Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 that improves global human health through research funding, public health campaigns, humanitarian aid, and Vatican co-hosted conferences on regenerative medicine. It partners with major health systems, foundations, and NGOs to serve vulnerable populations worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Cura Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity that improves global human health through public health awareness campaigns, educational programs, research funding, and humanitarian aid distribution. Its core offerings include health-focused PSA campaigns (such as #UniteToPrevent), the CuraLink newsletter and webinar series, the 1 Billion Meals food security initiative, COVID-19 PPE distribution, Cura Research Funding for cell and gene therapies, and the international Vatican Conference series. The foundation serves both the general public through awareness and education and partners with research institutions, health systems, and philanthropic foundations.

Product overview

The Cura Foundation is a nonsectarian nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) focused on improving human health globally through education, advocacy, and research funding. Rather than a unified software product, the Foundation operates a portfolio of health initiatives and programs including: CuraLink (newsletter/interview series), the #UniteToPrevent PSA Campaign, COVID-19 PPE Program, 1 Billion Meals food security initiative, Research Funding programs, Health and Well-Being Programs, Innovation Programs, Cura-Vatican Events/conferences, Inflammation Think Tank, Webinars, Environment and Sustainability Programs, and Building Bridges Programs. These initiatives are charitable and advocacy-focused rather than commercial product offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CuraLink: A newsletter and interview series highlighting critical issues in human health and emerging innovations
• #UniteToPrevent
• #UniteToCure
• Stem for Life
• Bridging Science and Faith
• Inflammation Think Tank

Products and services

• CuraLink Newsletter A monthly newsletter and interview series highlighting critical issues in human health and emerging innovations, directed at the general public, researchers, and healthcare professionals. Features voices of scientists, physicians, industry leaders, regulators, and experts.
• #UniteToPrevent PSA Campaign A multimedia public service announcement campaign raising awareness of COVID-19 prevention measures, featuring celebrities and athletes. Distributed to 1,900 TV stations and 9,100 radio stations nationally. Targeted at the general public to encourage mask wearing, vaccinations, and boosters.
• COVID-19 PPE Program Initiative to provide personal protective equipment including hand sanitizer and masks to vulnerable communities, particularly seniors aged 60+ and children living in under-resourced communities in New York City.
• 1 Billion Meals Initiative A food security program contributing 1 billion meals over 10 years through worldwide distribution networks in partnership with Circle H Foundation and the 100 Billion Meals Challenge. Addresses food insecurity affecting more than 850 million people globally.
• Cura Research Funding Program Program supporting research to catalyze better health and address areas of unmet medical need including cell therapies, gene therapies, and immunotherapies. Funds academic medical centers and clinical trials including the FDA-approved MIS-C study at Duke University.
• Vatican Conference Series International conferences bringing together science, faith, medicine, and technology leaders to advance dialogue on regenerative medicine, cell therapy, and the intersection of science and faith. Includes the 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018, and 2021 conferences.
• Inflammation Think Tank Global multidisciplinary event uniting inflammation specialists from leading institutions, focused on building bridges among disciplines to advance knowledge and public health.
• Educational Webinars Regular webinar series on topics including science and faith, COVID-19 ethics and treatment, regenerative medicine, and public health. Targeted at researchers, clinicians, and the educated public.
• Foot-Borne Illness Prevention Program Program partnering with Samaritan's Feet International to distribute shoes and prevent foot-borne diseases in low- and middle-income countries across 109 countries and 530 U.S. cities. Has served 9.2 million people to date.
• Health and Well-Being Programs Initiatives focused on public health, prevention, and longevity including HPV vaccination programs, brain health, cancer surveillance, and non-communicable disease prevention for the general public and healthcare providers.
• Stem for Life Foundation A Cura Foundation subsidiary advancing cell-therapy research, development, and use to improve everyday health globally through thought leadership, outreach, and funding.

Quantifiable outcome

• The #UniteToPrevent campaign achieved over 535 million impressions through 25,402 radio and 121,404 TV airings nationally
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vatican's Pontifical Council for CulturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2011Long-standing strategic partnership with the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Culture to co-host international conferences on regenerative medicine, cell therapy, and the intersection of science and faith. The partnership has produced five international Vatican conferences since 2011, bringing together scientists, theologians, philosophers, and world leaders to advance dialogue on health and human dignity.
• Sanford HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor strategic partnership with one of the largest health systems in the United States, headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Sanford Health includes 46 hospitals, 1,400 physicians and more than 200 Good Samaritan Society senior care locations in 26 states and 10 countries. Partners on the #UniteToPrevent PSA campaign and co-hosted Vatican conferences.
• Circle H FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFiscal sponsee and strategic partner through Circle H Foundation Programs. Circle H Foundation aims to empower humanity by improving human relationships and protecting the planet through ethical, wholesome and healthy living. Joint initiative includes the 1 Billion Meals program contributing to the 100 Billion Meals Challenge.
• WNICER (Worldwide Network for Innovation in Clinical Education and Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultinational network collaborating with Cura on research, educational webinars, and global events. Co-hosted the 'Inflammation: Shared Pathways in Diverse Diseases' Think Tank in 2021. WNICER aims to impact chronic conditions through clinical research and evidence-based trials.
• Alliance for Cell Therapy NowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent, non-profit organization devoted to advancing safe and effective cell therapies. Cura supports their efforts to convene experts and stakeholders to develop sound policies for regenerative cell therapy development, manufacturing, and delivery.
• Duke UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical trial partner led by Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg at Duke University School of Medicine. The trial investigates human cord tissue mesenchymal stromal cells (hCT-MSC) for treating MIS-C in children. Cells are manufactured in the Robertson GMP Cell Manufacturing Laboratory at Duke.
• NFL Alumni HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partnership with the NFL Alumni Association focused on improving health and wellness of former NFL players and the public. Cura participates in medical advisory committee and joint events on cell-based therapies for children's conditions.
• Samaritan's Feet InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian nonprofit providing shoes to prevent foot-borne diseases. Since founding in 2003, has served 9.2 million people across 109 countries and 530 U.S. cities. Cura partnership aims to reduce foot-borne diseases in low- and middle-income countries.
• Carter Burden NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew York-based nonprofit promoting well-being of seniors 60 and older. Cura partnered to provide PPE including hand sanitizer and masks to vulnerable seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Change for KidsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew York City-based youth development organization helping kids in under-resourced communities. Cura partnered to provide masks and sanitizer to children through this COVID-19 PPE program.
• T. Denny Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion at UC San DiegominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitute founded in July 2019 at UC San Diego with a mission to establish the neurological basis for empathy and develop new ways to teach compassion in healthcare. Cura supports through conference partnerships and educational programs.
• Stem for LifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Cura Foundation subsidiary that serves as the voice for cell and gene therapy potential. Advances cell-therapy research, development and use to improve everyday health of people globally through thought leadership, outreach, and funding.
• RonMar StudiosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVideo production company that co-produced the #UniteToPrevent PSA campaign. Executive producers Roni Selig and Marcie Mulé create socially relevant content including documentaries, PSA campaigns, and digital fundraisers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Wellcome Trust: UK-based charitable foundation funding global health research, mental health, and infectious disease initiatives. Comparable to Cura in its focus on funding research (including cell and regenerative medicine) and convening scientists across geographies.
• American Cancer Society: Large US voluntary health organization funding cancer research, prevention programs, and patient services. Comparable to Cura in its research funding, public health campaigns (HPV prevention parallels), and education content distribution.
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Major US health-focused philanthropy funding public health, prevention, and health equity programs. Comparable to Cura in its emphasis on health prevention, public health campaigns, and addressing health disparities across populations.
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute: US biomedical research organization funding basic and translational science. Comparable to Cura in its support for regenerative medicine, cell therapy research, and convening leading scientists, though HHMI operates its own research labs.
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Large-scale philanthropic foundation funding global health research, disease prevention, and humanitarian programs. Comparable to Cura as a grantmaking health foundation operating internationally, though at vastly greater scale and with a broader disease focus.

Direct peers

• Susan G. Komen Foundation: Disease-focused nonprofit funding cancer research, awareness campaigns, and patient support. Comparable to Cura in its combination of research funding, public awareness PSA campaigns, and health education programming.
• Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI): Global health nonprofit working on HIV, malaria, and pandemic response across low- and middle-income countries. Comparable to Cura in its humanitarian health distribution, disease prevention campaigns, and partnerships with major health systems globally.
• Stem Cell Foundation: Organization advancing stem cell and regenerative medicine research, education, and policy. Directly comparable to Cura's Stem for Life subsidiary in promoting cell therapy research, convening scientists, and educating the public on regenerative medicine.
• March of Dimes: US nonprofit funding maternal and child health research, public education campaigns, and disease prevention. Comparable to Cura in its public health PSA model, research funding, and focus on preventing disease in vulnerable populations including children.

Others

• Helmsley Charitable Trust: Major global philanthropy with significant health programs including Type 1 Diabetes and healthcare infrastructure. Listed as a current Cura grantor, it represents a comparable funder and potential strategic partner in health grantmaking.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/curafdn
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/StemForLife/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheCuraFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/curafdn
• Instagraminstagram.com/CuraFdn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Cura Foundation