The Challenges of Research Funding

From Eddie Pelto, Director of Development

Just a few weeks ago, the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation’s grants review committee – comprising scientists and patient advocates – took on the task of deciding which of the 200 research grant applications we received would be approved for funding. PDF had the resources to fund only 10 worthy projects.

Researchers working on innovative, viable projects continually face the challenge of limited available funding. And funders, such as government agencies and foundations like PDF, have to make difficult choices based on available resources.

How can PDF meet the challenge to find sufficient funds to support the most promising research in tough economic times?

One of the ways we can do this is with a different kind of challenge, one that helps everyone.  If you have recently visited PDF’s website, you know that during the month of April, Parkinson’s Awareness Month, we are raising funds to meet the Light of Day Foundation $100,000 Challenge.

Challenge grants are funds given to a non-profit organization upon completion of certain requirements, such as raising funds. The challenge refers to the results that must be achieved before money is released.

In PDF’s case, the Light of Day Foundation asks that we raise $100,000 from our supporters and if we do, they will match all donations we receive by Tuesday, April 30!

And the best part is that with a challenge like this, everybody wins.  You are not only doubling the impact of your gift to Parkinson’s research, you are helping to double the impact of the grant maker’s gift too!

We may not be able to fund all of the applications we receive. But every bit helps us in funding more promising research until we overcome the ultimate challenge: ending Parkinson’s.

Take a look at what Bob Benjamin, Founder of the Light of Day Foundation has to say about the challenge:

Light of Day Foundation Donates $60,000, Irving G. Brilliant Doubles Challenge

Bob Benjamin, a leader in Parkinson’s fundraising and head of the Light of Day Foundation, contacted PDF this week to let us know that the foundation is donating $60,000 this month – raised from its Light of Day Concerts – to the Irving G. Brilliant Parkinson's Research Challenge.

While this brought PDF well past its initial goal of $100,000 (all of which Mr. Brilliant promised to match), the news got even better.

Upon hearing about Mr. Benjamin's gift, Mr. Brilliant DOUBLED his challenge. If PDF reaches $200,000 by Thursday, June 30, Mr. Brilliant will match every single gift to benefit Parkinson’s research.


Stories of Our Donors, NBC Nightly News Clip

Irving G. Brilliant, J.D.

Mr. Brilliant is a long-time resident of Brooklyn, NY, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2003. A Harvard-trained attorney, Mr. Brilliant spent most of his career on Wall Street. At a young age, he sat on the US legal team at the Nuremberg trials prosecuting leaders of Nazi Germany. With his challenge gift, he is hoping to spur philanthropic interest in scientific research seeking the cause(s) of and a cure for the disease.

The Light of Day Foundation and Bob Benjamin

Mr. Benjamin was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1996 at the age of 38, and shortly thereafter, founded Light of Day Foundation, which has held concerts all over the world to raise funds for Parkinson’s. Performers have included Bruce Springsteen. The concerts have raised over $1 million to benefit Parkinson’s organizations. Last year, PDF presented Mr. Benjamin and The Light of Day Foundation with the Page and William Black Humanitarian Award.

Mr. Benjamin was recently profiled on NBC Nightly News for his work in the Parkinson’s community, a clip you can view below. In his interview, Mr. Benjamin states,

“I don’t look at what I can’t do, I look at what I can do.”

Certainly, he has given much to the Parkinson’s community.

We are grateful for not only his support, but for yours in helping us to reach the challenge goal to fund much needed Parkinson’s research. The efforts made this April by Mr. Benjamin, Mr. Brilliant and all of you around the country are truly inspirational.

We encourage you to watch this video below and invite your feedback on the fundraising challenge, the gifts by Mr. Benjamin and Mr. Brilliant and your experiences this April in raising awareness.

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