Company Profile
Pomona College
Company Overview
America’s scientific enterprise has a strong impact on the country’s economy, defense, and capability to discover and create new technologies and therapies. Throughout history, basic scientific research—scientific exploration that is done primarily for the discovery of new knowledge—has led to innovations that have transformed the world, from MRIs to cell phones to lasers. Despite the importance of basic research and the significant role it has played in advancing the U.S., the federal funding for it is declining and is likely to continue to diminish. More federal funding is going to support translational research (i.e.: applied research) leaving less money for basic research. SPA is a growing community of funders of basic scientific research who are working together to combat this growing problem through efforts to increase the total private funding going toward basic science research in America.
Company History
THE ALLIANCE
Discovery-driven (fundamental) scientific research is critical to our long-term economic growth and societal well-being, and philanthropic institutions and individuals have a crucial role to play in supporting it. The Science Philanthropy Alliance was founded by six funders committed to discovery-driven scientific research who are working together to increase private investment in fundamental research and ultimately help ensure a better and more prosperous future.
By promoting collaboration among those who are interested in this vital stage of scientific discovery, the Science Philanthropy Alliance aims to substantially increase philanthropic funding for fundamental research within five years and to create a community of funders of fundamental research.
DISCOVERY-DRIVEN RESEARCH
Driven by the desire to discover new knowledge, fundamental research has led to innovations that have transformed the world—from the discovery of penicillin and the mapping of the human genome to technologies such as MRIs, lasers, and cell phones. Yet the results of such research generally cannot be predicted ahead of time, and realizing the full impacts of this type of science often takes decades.
The growing emphasis on immediate accountability of tax dollars, especially with the recent need to demonstrate ties to job creation, is shifting funding toward shorter-term, more applied and mission-driven research. Because fundamental research is an essential building block of our long-term economic and societal success, increasing support for fundamental research is crucial for a global economy increasingly based on science and technology.
THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PRIVATE FUNDING
Philanthropists and philanthropic institutions have an opportunity to come together to support discovery-driven research, thereby providing the building blocks for future breakthroughs. Philanthropy plays an important role in complementing federal and industry funding for basic research. There are multiple opportunities for philanthropy to make a difference, yet there are very few private funders of discovery-driven research. Private funders have the flexibility to support nascent ideas and early discoveries that drive breakthroughs, and scale up and accelerate breakthroughs not yet widely embraced. The Science Philanthropy Alliance provides a forum for advancing such efforts.
Benefits
SALARY & BENEFITS
SPA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. SPA is a project of the New Venture Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. The New Venture Fund is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables individuals to realize their potential.
The New Venture Fund's work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of races, ethnicities, national origins, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities, beliefs, religions, faiths and ideologies, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, and levels of physical ability.
LOCATION
SPA is located in Palo Alto, California. Located 35 miles south of San Francisco and 14 miles north of San Jose, Palo Alto is a community of approximately 61,200 residents. The City‘s boundaries extend from San Francisco Bay on the east to the Skyline Ridge of the coastal mountains on the west, with Menlo Park to the north and Mountain View to the south. The City encompasses an area of approximately 26 square miles, of which one-third is open space.
The blend of business and residential areas anchored by a vibrant downtown defines Palo Alto’s unique character. Palo Alto’s tree-lined streets and historic buildings reflect its California heritage. At the same time, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technological development.
Palo Alto’s residents are highly educated, politically aware and culturally sophisticated. An abundance of local pride and numerous neighborhood organizations contribute to Palo Alto’s charming historic and upscale commercial and residential areas. Characteristic of Palo Alto is the care taken to protect open space and parkland. Palo Alto has a remarkable number of City- owned parks for its size and nearly one-third of its 26 square miles is open space.