US foundations donate $30 billion annually to science and health research, with a significant portion staying within their home states. A study conducted from 2010-2019 revealed that 60% of foundation funds and nearly 40% of grants supported institutions within the donors’ own states.
This decade-long analysis, led by data scientists Albert Laszlo Barabasi and Alexander J. Gates, examined IRS data from 990 forms filed by foundations. The study identified 69,675 nonprofits engaged in scientific research or supporting it, receiving nearly 1 million grants amounting to $30 billion in 2019 alone.
Major contributors include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which allocated over 20% of its research funding to Washington-based projects, and the Lilly Endowment, dedicating 62% of its funding to Indiana institutions. Similarly, the Dennis Washington Foundation focused exclusively on Montana universities, providing over $20 million for research.
While this local funding approach is common in philanthropy, it contrasts with the global collaboration typically seen in health and science research. Nonetheless, the $30 billion annual contribution from foundations rivals government research funding, such as the National Institutes of Health’s $47 billion annual budget.
However, the study highlighted limitations in data transparency, making it difficult to assess the specific impacts of these funds. While details about recipients are available, the goals and outcomes of the grants remain unclear, leaving gaps in understanding the influence of philanthropy on science and health advancements.
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