Arizona Grant Makers Commit $150-Million for Bioscience Research

A philanthropist in Arizona is pledging $100-million to support bioscience research and development in the state, part of an effort to prod the state to commit more money to such efforts.

Under an arrangement announced last week, Stardust Charitable Group, a philanthropy founded by Jerry Bisgrove, a real-estate developer in Scottsdale, Ariz., will provide $100-million to Science Foundation Arizona, a newly formed group that will distribute money to promising bioscience projects.

Arizona’s legislature is considering a measure that would set aside $50-million for medical business and research for the remainder of 2006, and provide $25-million for each of the next four years. Lawmakers said they did not want to commit that much money, however, unless private sources showed they were also willing to spend big sums on bioscience research.

In January, the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, in Scottsdale, announced that it would provide the $50-million needed to match the 2006 funds. The Stardust pledge would guarantee that all the government funds would be matched and eliminate the need for any additional fund-raising effort.

A measure to provide the science money has already been passed by the House’s appropriations committee and has the support of Jim Weier, the House Speaker.

Don Budinger, chairman and founding director of the Rodel Charitable Foundation of Arizona, the local philanthropic arm of the technology manufacturer, has been appointed chairman of Science Foundation Arizona, which will distribute the Stardust grant. He said he was optimistic that lawmakers would pass the money needed to match the Stardust and Piper funds, adding that “the Legislature is very forward-thinking, and Arizona is at a point in its history where it’s willing to build public-private partnerships.”

Mr. Bisgrove said he had not yet decided whether he will withdraw the pledge if the Legislature does not approve the research appropriations.

Science Foundation Arizona was incorporated as a nonprofit group in February by four local business leaders who believe that advancing Arizona’s bioscience industry will not only serve the public good but also reap economic dividends for the region. “Stardust looks for long-term relationships, measurable outcomes, and stability,” said Mr. Bisgrove, explaining what he liked about Science Foundation Arizona’s approach.

The foundation has yet to determine how it will allocate its funds, but Mr. Budinger said that the Board of Directors will collaborate with bioscience experts and the state Department of Commerce to ensure transparency and accountability. In addition to supporting existing bioscience programs, the foundation plans to invite scientists from out of state to bring their projects into Arizona.