INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., November 20, 2014 — BioCrossroads announced today that the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Inc. has made a grant of $2.4 million to the organization to advance the health and strength of the community through a series of interconnected, strategic and translational projects. These projects will focus on making specific connections of regional strengths in life sciences and clinical innovation to community needs for stronger public health and better patient outcomes. The Fairbanks Foundation is an Indianapolis-based, independent private foundation focused on the health of the regional population and the vitality of the Indianapolis community.
“BioCrossroads plays a pivotal role in the development and execution of several game changing life sciences and healthcare projects,” said Len Betley, president and CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Inc. “Their efforts and those of their local partners have the potential to improve the health of our community, and even to extend around the globe.”
The new multi-year grant (extending through 2018) will enable BioCrossroads to continue to serve as a catalyst for collaborative efforts that support the improvement of human health through innovation, including through BioCrossroads’ work with key stakeholder-driven collaborations such as the Indiana Health Information Exchange, the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, and the emerging Indiana Biosciences Research Institute focused on diabetes, obesity and other metabolic diseases.
“All of these transformative projects work together to leverage and link our best research and industry assets to broader outcomes of community wellness and economic growth,” said David L. Johnson, President and CEO of BioCrossroads. “We are deeply grateful to the Fairbanks Foundation for their continued commitment to the betterment of Central Indiana, and their faith in BioCrossroads to extend our work as true partners in achieving big goals for this community.”
To date, BioCrossroads has raised over $325 million in grant funds, contributions and capital investments to advance life sciences opportunities in Indiana.
About The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Inc.
The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation (www.rmff.org), located in Indianapolis, Ind., was established in 1986 by the late Richard M. Fairbanks who was the founder and owner of Fairbanks Communications, Inc. The Foundation is an independent, private foundation granting funds to qualifying tax-exempt organizations in the greater Indianapolis, Indiana area. The Foundation has two primary focus areas: Health and the Vitality of Indianapolis. The Foundation seeks to fund initiatives and organizations delivering impactful solutions that address key challenges facing the Indianapolis community.
About BioCrossroads
BioCrossroads (www.biocrossroads.com) advances Indiana’s signature strengths in the life sciences by connecting with corporate, academic and philanthropic partners; facilitating investments in promising start ups and building new enterprises; and educating through conferences, reports and market development knowledge. The initiative supports the region’s existing research and corporate strengths while encouraging new business development and has formed several new nonprofit organizations, including Indiana Health Information Exchange, BioCrossroadsLINX, OrthoWorx, and Datalys Center.