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Wyss Medical Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$16.1M
Grant Range
$360K - $16.9M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $16,053,194 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $41.3 million (2023)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $360,000 - $16.9 million
  • Geographic Focus: United States and international (UK)
  • Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process

Contact Details

Wyss Medical Foundation Inc

  • Address: 1759 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
  • EIN: 26-3962795
  • No public contact information available for unsolicited applications

Overview

The Wyss Medical Foundation Inc was founded by Hansjörg Wyss, Swiss entrepreneur and former president and chair of Synthes U.S.A., a medical device manufacturer specializing in bone disorders and trauma treatment. With approximately $41 million in assets and annual giving of $16 million (2023), the foundation focuses exclusively on medical research and education related to the musculoskeletal system and orthopedic trauma care. Wyss is also a founder of the AO Foundation, an international medical nonprofit led by surgeons specializing in trauma and musculoskeletal disorders. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making contributions solely to preselected charitable organizations. Recent grants have established major orthopedic programs at leading medical institutions including Penn Medicine, UCSF, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and University of Missouri, with a consistent focus on advancing orthoplastic surgery, trauma care, and global surgical education.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have structured grant programs or tiers. Instead, it makes strategic, large-scale investments in selected institutions. Recent grants include:

  • Multi-year institutional partnerships: $1.8 million - $11+ million (typically 5-year commitments)
  • Endowed chairs: $2 million
  • Program establishment grants: $1 million - $10 million
  • International expansion grants: £1 million

All grants are awarded through trustee discretion to preselected organizations.

Priority Areas

Orthopedic Trauma Care

  • 24-hour orthopedic trauma coverage and emergency care
  • Severe limb injuries and urgent trauma response
  • Pediatric orthopedic trauma

Orthoplastic Surgery

  • Combined plastic and orthopedic surgical approaches for complex limb salvage
  • Fellowship training programs
  • Global conferences and innovation hubs

Global Surgical Education

  • International training programs in orthopedic surgery
  • Visiting scholar exchanges
  • Educational platforms and coursework (particularly in resource-limited settings)

Musculoskeletal Research

  • Medical device innovation
  • Treatment protocols for bone disorders and injuries
  • Biologically inspired engineering approaches

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations without direct focus on orthopedic or musculoskeletal medicine
  • General operating support for unrelated medical causes
  • Individual research grants (focus is on institutional programs)
  • Unsolicited proposals from any organization

Governance and Leadership

Board Members:

  • Hansjörg Wyss - Founder and Chairman (2 hours/week)
  • Steve Schwartz - Director; Executive Director of AO North America, former Senior Vice President at Synthes Inc. (1980-2012); also serves on boards of Health Volunteers Overseas and SIGN Fracture Care International
  • Molly McUsic - Director (Note: Also serves as President of the separate Wyss Foundation focused on conservation)
  • Joseph Fisher - Treasurer
  • Patricia Davis - Secretary
  • Frank McGovern - Director

Key Leadership Quote:

Hansjörg Wyss has stated: "Over the years, I have devoted much of my life and philanthropy to unlocking scientific discoveries and advancing human health. My vision is, and always has been, to invest in innovation that benefits humanity."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Wyss Medical Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Organizations cannot apply directly to the foundation.

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion, typically to institutions with:

  • Established relationships with board members or the AO Foundation network
  • Demonstrated excellence in orthopedic trauma care or musculoskeletal research
  • Leadership from renowned surgeons in the field
  • Capacity to create lasting impact through education and innovation

Getting on Their Radar

The Wyss Medical Foundation's grantmaking is closely connected to the AO Foundation network, an international group of surgeons specializing in trauma and musculoskeletal disorders that Hansjörg Wyss co-founded. Key pathways observed in grant recipients include:

  • AO Foundation connections: Multiple grant recipients have direct ties to the AO Foundation through board service, AO fellowships, or AO educational programs. For example, Dr. James Stannard (University of Missouri) served as AO Trustee (2011-2016) and completed his AO Trauma fellowship in Switzerland.

  • Board member Steve Schwartz: As Executive Director of AO North America and former Synthes executive, Schwartz likely plays a key role in identifying potential recipients. His concurrent board service at Health Volunteers Overseas and SIGN Fracture Care International may indicate aligned interest areas.

  • Established orthopedic trauma programs: Recipients are major academic medical centers or specialized organizations with nationally or internationally recognized orthopedic trauma divisions.

  • Global surgical education focus: Organizations demonstrating commitment to training surgeons internationally, particularly in resource-limited settings (e.g., UCSF's IGOT program, Day One Trauma's UK-based education).

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation appears to make grants on a rolling basis as opportunities align with strategic priorities.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since there is no application process, organizations cannot directly pursue funding. However, analysis of successful grant recipients reveals common characteristics:

Institutional Excellence

  • Top-tier academic medical centers with nationally recognized orthopedic departments (Penn Medicine, UCSF, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Missouri)
  • Demonstrated track record in trauma care and surgical innovation

AO Foundation Network Connections

  • Leadership or faculty with AO fellowships, board service, or active involvement in AO educational programs
  • Alignment with AO Foundation's mission around musculoskeletal care and surgical education

Focus on Education and Training

  • Programs that train the next generation of orthopedic trauma surgeons
  • Fellowship programs in specialized areas like orthoplastic surgery
  • International educational initiatives and visiting scholar programs

Innovation and Research

  • Cutting-edge approaches to complex problems (e.g., orthoplastic surgery for severe limb injuries)
  • Development of new treatment protocols or technologies
  • Global conferences and knowledge-sharing platforms

Commitment to Underserved Populations

  • Expansion of 24-hour trauma coverage
  • Pediatric orthopedic care
  • Global surgical education in resource-limited settings

Named Leadership

  • Grants frequently support endowed chairs or are associated with distinguished surgeons in the field
  • Recognition of individual excellence within institutional contexts

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No application possible: This foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis and will not review unsolicited proposals. Do not attempt to submit applications or letters of inquiry.

  • AO Foundation connection is critical: The strongest observed pattern among recipients is connection to the AO Foundation network through board service, fellowships, or educational programs.

  • Large, strategic investments: The foundation makes substantial multi-year grants ($1M-$16M range) rather than small project grants, focusing on transformative institutional programs.

  • Orthopedic trauma specialization: Focus is tightly defined around musculoskeletal medicine, orthopedic trauma, and orthoplastic surgery—not general medical research.

  • Global education emphasis: Many grants support international training programs, reflecting both Wyss's Swiss background and the AO Foundation's global reach.

  • Long-term relationships: The foundation makes repeated grants to institutions it has supported previously (e.g., Penn Medicine received $11+ million over multiple years; Children's Hospital Los Angeles received grants in 2020 and 2025).

  • Board composition matters: With Steve Schwartz's leadership at AO North America and background at Synthes, organizations aligned with AO Foundation priorities appear well-positioned.

References

  1. Grantmakers.io Profile - Wyss Medical Foundation Inc. Available at: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/263962795-wyss-medical-foundation-inc/ (Accessed January 2026)

  2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Wyss Medical Foundation Inc (EIN 26-3962795). Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/263962795 (Accessed January 2026)

  3. Penn Medicine News. "Wyss donation creates Penn orthoplastic surgery hub" (April 2025). Available at: https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/wyss-donation-creates-penn-orthoplastic-surgery-hub

  4. Children's Hospital Los Angeles Press Release. "Children's Hospital Los Angeles Receives $10 Million from the Wyss Foundation to Expand Orthopedic Care" (August 2025). Available at: https://www.chla.org/newsroom/press-release/childrens-hospital-los-angeles-receives-10-million-wyss-foundation-expand

  5. UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. "IGOT announces renewed funding from the Wyss Medical Foundation." Available at: https://orthosurgery.ucsf.edu/about/news-media/igot-announces-renewed-funding-wyss-medical-foundation (Accessed January 2026)

  6. University of Missouri News Bureau. "Orthopaedic chair will support world-renowned surgeon" (November 2017). Available at: https://munewsarchives.missouri.edu/news-releases/2017/1110-orthopaedic-chair-will-support-world-renowned-surgeon/

  7. Day One Trauma. "Funders." Available at: https://dayonetrauma.org/about/funders (Accessed January 2026)

  8. Atrium Health Foundation. "$1 Million Grant to Support Orthopaedic Surgery Program at CM." Available at: https://www.atriumhealthfoundation.org/contributor-news/wyss-charitable-endowment/ (Accessed January 2026)

  9. Inside Philanthropy. "Wyss Foundation." Available at: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-w/wyss-foundation (Accessed January 2026)

  10. Seattle Science Foundation. "Steve Schwartz - Executive Director, AO North America." Available at: https://seattlesciencefoundation.pixieset.com/steveschwartz-executivedirectoraonorthamerica/ (Accessed January 2026)

  11. Wyss Institute at Harvard. "Shaping a better future through research and purpose-driven innovation." Available at: https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/shaping-a-better-future-through-research-and-purpose-driven-innovation/ (Accessed January 2026)

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