If you’re a part of St. Baldrick’s, you know the power of working together. A successful fundraising event can’t rely on just one volunteer or donor. Finding a cure takes teams of researchers working together. And children fighting cancer need a host of people to support them.
“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” — Mother Teresa
Now major donors and foundations can come together in a new way to do more than any of us could do alone – through the St. Baldrick’s Strategic Research Partnership program.
While the name is new, this program already has quite an impressive track record. The ACES grant (Advancing Cures for Ewing Sarcoma) is the sixth such “super-grant” funded by a group of donors and administered by St. Baldrick’s.
Here’s how it works:
- One or more donors with a shared goal commit a total of $1.5 million over a three-year period.
- St. Baldrick’s works closely with these partners to write a detailed Request for Applications (RFA) addressing their goals. That RFA is sent to the entire childhood cancer research community, casting a wide net to attract the best ideas.
“This novel partnering guided by St Baldricks and other participating charities serves an urgent need. I am so grateful we were able to create grants that are large and run over three years, so as to attract more talent to cracking the osteosarcoma cure nut.” – Michael Egge, dad to Olivia, a survivor
April & Michael Egge, with their daughter, Olivia, now a medical school student.
- Typically, about 40 researchers respond with a Letter of Intent (LOI), summarizing what they would do with this grant. A scientific review committee then chooses the top 10-12, inviting them to submit a full research grant application.
- A rigorous scientific review process is what attracts many donors to the program. After three expert reviewers have commented on and scored each application, all the reviewers come together to discuss the top applications, and one is chosen to receive the award.
- The caliber of research proposed has been so outstanding that in two cases, donors have later funded a second application from the same round.
We first partnered with St. Baldrick’s Foundation in 2019 and have since funded over $4.5 million in grants… St. Baldrick’s shares our goal of funding grants with the highest potential of making an impact for children affected by osteosarcoma. Leveraging its rigorous scientific review process, we’ve fueled and inspired talented researchers at premier institutions and maximized the value of our investment in highly impactful osteosarcoma research.
– Battle Osteosarcoma
The volunteers of Battle Osteosarcoma have raised more than $3 million, honoring Char, Dylan, Tyler and others.
This program is a welcome opportunity for foundations wanting to fund extraordinary research without the need to conduct their own scientific review or fund the entire project alone. Foundations with their own scientific review processes have participated, as well, contributing their unique expertise to the team.
“… By partnering with St. Baldrick’s and other passionate foundations, we are able to pool resources and fund bold, high impact research that no single organization could do alone… Together, we are accelerating progress, amplified by shared purpose and collective resolve.
– Asha Virani, Founder of The Faris Foundation and Mommy to Chief Angel Officer, Faris D.
Inspired by its namesake, The Faris Foundation is a funding partner for three Ewing sarcoma grants.
It’s rare that a donor or foundation can fund a three-year $1.5 million grant, but by coming together strategically, we truly can do great things.
To discuss working with St. Baldrick’s through our Strategic Research Partnership Program, please email Partnerships@StBaldricks.org.
