Bernice Barbour Foundation

What Bernice Barbour Foundation does

The Bernie Mac Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 2005 and formally established in 2007 by comedian Bernard J. McCullough (Bernie Mac) and his wife Dr. Rhonda R. McCullough in response to his 1983 sarcoidosis diagnosis. The foundation's mission is to elevate awareness of and support research for sarcoidosis, a rare multisystem inflammatory disease, with particular attention to African American communities where incidence is elevated. It serves three primary constituencies: (1) sarcoidosis patients and their families, who receive educational resources, community support, and connections to care; (2) healthcare providers and researchers, who participate in an annual invitation-only Thought Leadership Conference and access foundation-funded research; and (3) donors and sponsors, who fund the foundation's programs.

The foundation operates a portfolio of programs rather than technology products. Its core assets include the Bernie Mac Sarcoidosis Translational Advanced Research (S.T.A.R.) Center at University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, the "Warrior: The Bernie Mac Disease" documentary series profiling patients and clinicians, the annual Purple Carpet Fundraiser (in its 9th year as of 2026), the Sipping Tea with BMF women's empowerment events, and the annual Thought Leadership Conference. Medical research partnerships span four core university partners (University of Illinois Hospital, University of Arizona, University of Illinois at Chicago, and University of Chicago Medicine) plus advocacy alliances with the Respiratory Health Association and American Lung Association. There is no proprietary technology platform; the foundation's digital footprint is built on a standard Wix-hosted website and social channels (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn).

The foundation's revenue model is donations-based, with no products or services sold. Funding is generated through individual contributions, corporate sponsorships, and proceeds from fundraising events such as the Purple Carpet Fundraiser. The organization employs between 1 and 10 staff and is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Dr. Rhonda R. McCullough as President and CEO, with Mr. McCullough posthumously honored as Founder and Chairman Emeritus. Financial figures are not publicly disclosed, consistent with nonprofit reporting practices.

Name

Bernice Barbour Foundation

Legal name

The Bernie Mac Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://berniemacfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Bernie Mac Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Chicago that supports sarcoidosis patients through research funding, education, advocacy, and community events. It serves patients, families, clinicians, and researchers via medical partnerships and an annual Thought Leadership Conference.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Health-focused nonprofit foundation (sarcoidosis research and patient advocacy)

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGACAA

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGAKAB

Community Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

Keywords

• Sarcoidosis research funding
• Patient advocacy services
• Medical research grants
• Health awareness campaigns
• Nonprofit fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and raises funds through donations from individual donors, corporate sponsors, and fundraising events. Donations support sarcoidosis research and patient assistance programs.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Bernie Mac Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that supports sarcoidosis patients through research funding, patient education, advocacy, and community events. It funds the Bernie Mac Sarcoidosis Translational Advanced Research (STAR) Center at University of Illinois Hospital, produces the Warrior documentary series, and hosts the annual Purple Carpet Fundraiser, an Annual Thought Leadership Conference for clinicians, and Women's Empowerment community programs.

Product overview

The Bernie Mac Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, not a technology company. It does not offer software products or technology services. The foundation operates as a health-focused nonprofit that supports sarcoidosis awareness and research. Its programs include the Bernie Mac Sarcoidosis Translational Advanced Research (STAR) Center, the Warrior documentary series profiling individuals affected by sarcoidosis, annual Purple Carpet Fundraiser events, an Annual Thought Leadership Conference for researchers and clinicians, and community events such as Women's Empowerment: Sipping Tea with BMF. The foundation connects patients with medical professionals and disseminates research information.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bernie Mac Sarcoidosis Translational Advanced Research (STAR) Center A specialized research center dedicated to sarcoidosis treatment, research, and patient care, established in partnership with University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System.
• Warrior: The Bernie Mac Disease Documentary Series A documentary series that profiles celebrities, athletes, warriors, and clinicians affected by sarcoidosis to raise international awareness and standards of care for the disease.
• Annual Purple Carpet Fundraiser Annual flagship fundraising event that brings together the sarcoidosis community, supporters, and sponsors to raise awareness and funds for sarcoidosis research.
• Annual Thought Leadership Conference Invitation-only conference convening researchers and clinicians to discuss and identify significant research projects aimed at solving sarcoidosis.
• Women's Empowerment: Sipping Tea with BMF Community event focused on women's empowerment, bringing together sarcoidosis patients and supporters for networking and education.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 1 million African Americans are at risk of developing Sarcoidosis during their lifetime
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• University of Illinois Hospital - S.T.A.R. CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Bernie Mac Sarcoidosis Translational Advanced Research (S.T.A.R.) Center at University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System is the foundation's primary medical research partner. The foundation provides funding and support for the STAR Center, which conducts advanced research in sarcoidosis treatment and care.
• University of ArizonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical partnership with Dr. Joe G.N. Skip Garcia at University of Arizona Department of Medicine
• University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical partnerships with Dr. Nadera J. Sweiss and Dr. Patricia Finn at UIC's Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep, and Allergy department
• University of Chicago MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical partnership with Dr. Kimberly Trotter, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Section of Rheumatology at The University of Chicago
• Respiratory Health AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership with Respiratory Health Association for respiratory disease advocacy and research collaboration
• American Lung AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with American Lung Association for lung disease awareness and research support

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/bmacfoundation1
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheBernieMacFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bernie-mac-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/berniemacfdn

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Bernice Barbour Foundation