"You have cancer." These words are among the most difficult anyone will ever have to hear. Yet of the 100 or so cancers known to science, there are cures for only 30 percent. Many, while treatable, have different prognoses, and treatments are difficult to endure for the patient, and for the entire family.

As many know, cancer is a leading cause of death globally, accounting for 10 million deaths globally in 2020 alone. Building on strategy-building work with the Melanoma Research Alliance and the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Milken Institute Philanthropy works with partners to identify promising but under-resourced approaches for cancer treatment.

We lead donors through the cancer research ecosystem, bringing experts from other sectors to the table to unlock potential that will lead to better treatments—and eventually a cure—for a range of cancers. 

The human immune system is responsible for defending against bacterial, viral, and other pathogenic threats. It is multifaceted and complex, which makes it especially difficult to understand and target clinically.

Immune dysfunction can impact the body’s ability to fight disease by either becoming under-responsive or going into overdrive, causing the body harm. Once the immune system becomes ‘dysregulated’ the body can develop diseases like type 1 diabetes or sarcoidosis. Milken Institute SPARC has worked in lockstep with high-impact funders, developing giving strategies to support the researchers who seek to expand their understanding of these diseases and the patients and families who live with these conditions.   

The mental health crisis in the US and globally continues to be driven by a multitude of factors. Increasingly, funders are pushed to fund short-term solutions as a response to immediate need. However, long-term, sustainable solutions are needed to ensure that more people can access meaningful care.

Mental health conditions include anxiety, depression, psychological trauma, substance abuse, and increased suicidality, as well as serious mental illnesses like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Targeted, holistic funding approaches for each—that are distinct from other forms of brain illness philanthropy—are needed to improve mental health for all.

Milken Institute Philanthropy’s SPARC has brought together a philanthropic community and led recommendations for investing in transformative research to better understand, treat, and cure mental health conditions; increase access to preventative resources and care; develop effective interventions; and build capacity and diversity within the mental health ecosystem.