The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation announced today that it has received a $250,000 grant from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. The funds from the California-based foundation will go toward the construction of a new $125 million, multi-story research tower at OMRF.
In honor of the gift, a staff center in the new tower will be named for the Hearst Foundation. The San Francisco-based foundation was created by legendary newspaperman and philanthropist William Randolph Hearst in 1948. In 2007, the foundation funded 276 grants totaling more than $40 million.
“This is the second grant we’ve received from the Hearst Foundation,” said OMRF President Dr. Steve Prescott. “They share our vision for the future and recognize how important new facilities will be as we continue to expand and make discoveries that will impact all Oklahomans in a positive way.”
The Hearst Foundation awarded OMRF a $200,000 grant in Aug. 2004 to fund core facilities dedicated to cancer research.
“OMRF has done a fabulous job with funds we’ve previously granted them,” Hearst Foundation executive director Paul Dinovitz said. “After meeting with representatives, we are impressed with OMRF’s goals, and we’re delighted to support them.”
When complete, the tower will nearly double OMRF’s size and open space for new laboratories, new scientific investigators and about 300 new employees.
“This really is an important and exciting time in our history,” Dr. Prescott said. “Grants and donations – which are the source of our funding – translate into future discoveries and future cures for Oklahomans and people around the world.”
About OMRF:
OMRF (omrf.org) is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human disease. Its scientists focus on such critical research areas as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, lupus and cardiovascular disease.
