Whether it be endowed chairs, grants, summer research scholars, new spaces, equipment, or clinical trials, philanthropy is paving the way for major breakthroughs in animal and human health. This source of funding is likely to become even more critical as federal research agencies become constrained. Here at the University of California (UC)-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, we have been increasingly successful in driving biomedical research through philanthropy.
Donor-driven endowments in our Center for Companion Animal Health and the Center for Equine Health provide over $1.5 million annually in grants, equipment, matching support, and start-up funds. They also support approximately 75 research projects that can provide critical preliminary data for future exploration and larger grant funding.
One passionate school supporter is Lin Zucconi, who credits UC Davis for helping her cats lead long lives despite the many health issues they have endured. In addition to supporting multiple programs and serving on our Dean’s Leadership Council, she recently established the Zucconi Feline Family Support Fund with the Center for Companion Animal Health. The fund is helping the center develop treatments for cats with chronic and infectious diseases.
Our donor base has become really excited about the value of translational medicine and One Health. Recent gifts have created a $5 million endowment that supports our Veterinary Center for Clinical Trials. This center provides the infrastructure to help faculty be more effective and efficient with large clinical trials and enhances collaboration with external partners.
Translational research at the school can have an impact across the world. For instance, a foundation recently donated $400,000 to help investigate human vaccine trials in Tanzania.
As new facilities become more expensive and state funding has become more limited, we have become increasingly reliant on donors to help create new research spaces. Take for example our new Meadowview Foundation Dentistry and Oral Surgery Center, which not only provides advanced clinical care but has also become a hub of new discoveries for the use of stem cells in treating oral stomatitis in cats and new bone growth in dogs.
The new Meadowview Foundation Dentistry and Oral Surgery Center at UC Davis is a hub for treatment and discovery. (Photo courtesy of Mike Bannasch, UC Davis.)
Citation: American Journal of Veterinary Research 86, 5; 10.2460/ajvr.25.03.0083
In the current hypercompetitive industry environment, growing our faculty has become challenging, so establishing endowed chairs has become more important. A recent $6 million gift for the PetSmart Charities Endowed Chair in Accessible Veterinary Care is allowing us to investigate and publish new models of educating students and to provide care across a variety of socioeconomic groups.
Veterinary schools with extensive research programs play a crucial role in advancing health. Our work connects deeply with the public, and when they see the impact we make, they are eager to support our growth and success. We are grateful to the numerous donors, industry partners, and foundations who share our vision of improving the health of animals, humans, and the environment.
