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Pfizer Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$45.7M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.6M

Pfizer Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $45.7 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by RFP (specified in each Request for Proposal)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $600,000 (average $25,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Global (emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa and lower-income countries for health programs; U.S. and Puerto Rico for employee programs)

Contact Details

Address: 66 Hudson Boulevard East, New York, NY 10001-2192

Phone: (212) 733-2323

Website: www.pfizer.com/about/programs-policies/grants

Email: GlobalMedicalGrants@pfizer.com (for grant program questions)

Grant Portal: Applications submitted through online portal specified in each RFP

Overview

Established in 1953, the Pfizer Foundation operates as a separate legal entity from Pfizer Inc. with distinct legal restrictions. The Foundation awarded $45,690,467 in grants in 2023, making 11,424 awards to organizations globally. Its mission is to help build healthier communities around the world through investments in locally-led organizations using community-centered approaches to address global health challenges. The Foundation emphasizes sub-Saharan Africa and lower-income countries for global health initiatives while maintaining significant U.S.-based programs supporting community healthcare centers. In 2024, the Foundation engaged more than 13,000 Pfizer colleagues across 41 countries through its Give Forward program, reaching nearly 10,000 charitable causes. The Foundation focuses on advancing breast cancer diagnosis and care in sub-Saharan Africa, strengthening health systems, reducing vaccine-preventable illness, and addressing health equity gaps.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Global Health Innovation Grants (GHIG): Supports community-based initiatives to improve quality of care and strengthen health systems in lower-income countries. Since 2016, GHIG-supported organizations have helped millions of patients receive care and trained tens of thousands of health workers. Grant amounts vary by project scope.

Innovation Awards in Community Health: Implemented through Direct Relief, this U.S.-focused program supports safety-net community healthcare providers with grants ranging from approximately $200,000 to $400,000 per organization. In 2023, grants totaling more than $4.5 million went to 19 U.S. healthcare providers across 11 states to support innovative approaches to infectious disease treatment, vaccine education and delivery. The program serves 31 million people through community healthcare centers.

Communities Forward Grant Program: Part of the Pfizer Multicultural Health Equity Collective, this program awarded $1.75 million to seven U.S. non-profit organizations to implement projects addressing health disparities across four core pillars: healthcare facilities and delivery, policy, research and data, and workforce pathways.

Competitive Grant Program: Pfizer Global Medical Grants (GMG) supports the global healthcare community's independent initiatives through publicly posted Requests for Proposal (RFPs). Each RFP details specific areas of interest with defined timelines for review and approval. Applications submitted through online portal with deadlines specified in each RFP.

Employee Matching Gifts Program: The Foundation matches U.S. and Puerto Rico-based colleague donations dollar-for-dollar to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, from $25 to $15,000 per employee per year. Retirees receive two-for-one matching from $25 to $5,000 per year. Submissions must be approved by March 1st of the year following the donation.

Individual Volunteer Grants: Awards $1,000 grants to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations where Pfizer employees volunteer at least 72 hours per year (40 hours for retirees).

Disaster Match: Dollar-for-dollar matching for eligible global colleague contributions during major humanitarian disasters.

Priority Areas

  • Global health system strengthening in lower-income countries
  • Vaccine-preventable infectious disease prevention and treatment
  • Breast cancer diagnosis and care in sub-Saharan Africa (Rwanda, Ghana, Tanzania)
  • Health equity and addressing disparities in underserved communities
  • Community healthcare center capacity building
  • Medical education and continuing professional development
  • Quality improvement initiatives in healthcare delivery
  • Skills-based volunteering through Global Health Fellows program

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited proposals: The Pfizer Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for funding at this time. All grants are awarded through specific RFP processes or through employee-driven programs.
  • Individuals and medical practice groups: Not eligible to apply to competitive grant programs.
  • General education and training: Falls outside the scope of the Competitive Grant Program (applicants should review other grant opportunities for education/training support).
  • Clinical research evaluating efficacy: Projects evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic or diagnostic agents are not considered in certain programs.
  • Commercialization proposals: Any proposal with a commercialization component will be considered out of scope and not reviewed.
  • Studies already commenced: Independent Study Research (ISR) grant requests cannot be submitted for studies that have already started.
  • Business expenses: Scientific congress exhibit fees, membership dues to medical associations that provide material value to Pfizer.
  • Non-healthcare cultural/civic contributions: Charitable contributions to cultural institutions and some non-healthcare related civic organization support.

Governance and Leadership

Board Leadership:

  • Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer Inc., serves as a director on The Pfizer Foundation board. When he became CEO in January 2019, Bourla stated his intention to "divest companies that were less part of the core purpose of science in the service of patients, and focus the company singularly on science."

  • Sally Susman, Vice Chair of the Pfizer Foundation, also serves as Pfizer's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Executive Vice President.

Key Personnel:

  • Caroline Roan led the transformation of the Pfizer Foundation as part of her leadership role in Corporate Affairs and Global Health & Social Impact at Pfizer.

CEO Priorities (Albert Bourla): Under Bourla's leadership, Pfizer's priorities include: "Unleash the power of our people" by building an inclusive, engaging work environment; "Deliver first-in-class science" by creating and sourcing the best science in the world; and focusing on the most promising and transformational products. In 2019, the Pfizer Foundation deployed $9 million for programs with 27 partners in 16 countries to strengthen healthcare systems and improve access to quality care.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important Note: The Pfizer Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. All grants are awarded through one of the following mechanisms:

For Competitive Grant Programs:

  1. Monitor the Pfizer grants website (www.pfizer.com/about/programs-policies/grants) for published Requests for Proposal (RFPs)
  2. Review the specific RFP posting to determine if your organization and proposed project align with the stated priorities
  3. Submit application through the online submission portal specified in the RFP
  4. All submission details, eligibility requirements, and deadlines are noted in each RFP posting
  5. Sign up to receive grant announcements and RFP postings at the Pfizer grants website

Technical Support: In the grant management system, there is a "Need Support" button for assistance with system-related issues.

For Employee-Driven Programs:

  • Employee Matching Gifts: Submitted through Pfizer's internal giving portal by employees and retirees
  • Volunteer Grants: Applications submitted by employees after completing required volunteer hours

Eligibility Verification: Organizations must be legally able to receive award funding directly from Pfizer Inc. Applicants should confirm this with their organization prior to submitting. Academic health care centers and community health care centers can apply. Proposal submissions from junior faculty are encouraged.

Pre-Application Considerations:

  • Confirm your organization's legal ability to receive funding directly from Pfizer Inc.
  • Review the specific RFP to ensure your proposed project addresses the stated gaps in research, practice, or care
  • Verify that your project does not include commercialization components
  • Ensure you can comply with all regulatory requirements for independent initiatives

Decision Timeline

Timelines vary by specific RFP and are published in the "Key Dates" section of each Request for Proposal. The RFP specifies the anticipated notification date for selected grantees.

Review Process:

  • External Review Panels (ERP) are responsible for review and decision-making for RFP-based grants
  • ERPs consist of professionals from medical and education communities with advanced degrees and expertise in the specific clinical area, geographic region needs, or quality improvement
  • Applicants may be asked for additional clarification during the review period
  • After each review meeting, applicants receive a copy of the External Review Panel's evaluation
  • Grant Officers respond to requests for information on scoring and comments within up to two weeks

Success Rates

The Pfizer Foundation does not publicly disclose overall success rates for competitive grant programs. In 2023, the Foundation made 11,424 awards totaling $45.7 million, indicating a robust grant-making operation across multiple program types.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly disclosed and likely vary by program. Applicants should contact the Grant Officer listed in the RFP posting or email GlobalMedicalGrants@pfizer.com for guidance on reapplication timelines and policies for specific programs.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with RFP Priorities: The Foundation emphasizes that proposals must address "specific gaps in research, practice or care as outlined in the specific RFP." Applications that do not focus on listed strategies for each therapeutic area (except as specified in the RFP posting) are excluded.

Independent Initiative Design: The grant requester is "responsible for the design, implementation, sponsorship, and conduct of the independent initiative supported by the grant, including compliance with any regulatory requirements." This indicates the Foundation values applicant expertise and ownership of the proposed project.

Community-Centered Approaches: The Foundation specifically seeks "locally-led organizations using community-centered approaches to address global health challenges," suggesting successful applications demonstrate strong community engagement and leadership.

Budget Considerations: Pfizer has set a maximum indirect cost rate of 28% for grants. Budgets can include direct costs, indirect costs, and institutional overhead within this framework.

Examples of Recent Funded Projects (2023):

  • AHS Health, Chicago, IL: Tackling health disparities through targeted immunization, outreach, and education on COVID-19, hepatitis B, influenza, and other vaccines
  • Care for the Homeless, New York, NY: The Vaccine Equal Access Project (VEAP) to improve vaccination health equity among homeless and unstably housed individuals
  • Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic, Providence, RI: Opportune Vacuna program to increase vaccine confidence and uptake in historically underserved communities

Clear Focus on Outcomes: The Foundation reports that GHIG-supported organizations have "helped millions of patients receive care and trained tens of thousands of health workers," indicating the importance of demonstrating measurable impact and outcomes in applications.

Junior Faculty Encouraged: The Foundation explicitly states that "proposal submissions from junior faculty are encouraged," suggesting openness to emerging researchers and practitioners.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited proposals accepted - All funding flows through published RFPs or employee-driven programs. Monitor the grants website regularly and sign up for RFP announcements.

  • RFP alignment is critical - Applications must directly address the specific gaps identified in the RFP. Proposals outside the stated scope will not be reviewed.

  • Demonstrate independence and expertise - The Foundation funds independent initiatives where the grantee owns the design, implementation, and conduct. Show your organization's capability to lead.

  • Emphasize community-centered approaches - Successful applications highlight locally-led solutions and strong community engagement, particularly for global health programs.

  • Budget strategically with 28% indirect cost cap - Structure budgets to maximize programmatic impact while adhering to the maximum 28% rate for indirect costs.

  • Prepare for peer review - Applications are evaluated by External Review Panels of medical and education professionals with relevant expertise. Applications should be rigorous and evidence-based.

  • Consider employee connection opportunities - Organizations working with Pfizer employees or retirees can access additional funding through volunteer grants and matching gifts programs, creating multiple pathways for support.

References

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