Shurl And Kay Curci Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $11.5 million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not available
• Decision Time: Not available
• Grant Range: Not available
• Geographic Focus: Not specified

Contact Details

• Address: 21250 Hawthorne Blvd Suite 350, Torrance, CA 90503
• Website: https://curcifoundation.org
• Phone: (310) 618-3600
• Email: Contact form available on website

Overview

The Shurl And Kay Curci Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2006 and based in Torrance, California. Founded by real estate developer Shurl Curci and his wife Kay, the foundation supports science-based research aimed at advancing a healthy and sustainable future for humans. With total assets of approximately $104.2 million as of 2024, the foundation distributes substantial charitable funds annually, with grants totalling $11.5 million in 2024 (representing 90.8% of their total expenses of $12.7 million). The foundation focuses primarily on neuroscience and biomedical research, particularly in the life sciences.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates several funding programmes:

• Research Grants: Annual competitive grants for basic research at select institutions
• PhD Scholar Programme: Multi-year scholarships for doctoral students at partner universities (UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC San Francisco, University of Washington, University of Colorado Boulder, and University of Utah), with priority given to women and international students in life sciences
• PhD Fellowship Programme: Support for doctoral research
• Multi-year Research Projects: Extended funding for significant research initiatives

Priority Areas

The foundation funds biomedical research in a handful of fields, with the majority of grants supporting neuroscience and brain research. The main focus is on neuroscience and cell biology. Specific funding priorities include:

• Basic Research: Support for research addressing fundamental scientific questions that, when answered, will lead to significant advances in medicine or scientific knowledge
• Broad Human Benefit: Funding directed to efforts intended to benefit all or a large portion of humanity rather than specific individuals
• Sustainable Future: Grants awarded to research proposals with emphasis on fostering a sustainable future for humankind, focusing on projects with far-reaching and lasting implications

The foundation tends to support basic research in the life sciences at competitive research universities in the United States.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. Funding is provided through invitation only or through established partnership programmes with select research institutions.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• Ronald V. Rosequist - President/Director, Science Advisory Board Member, Investment Committee Member
• Kay Curci - Director (Co-Founder)
• Robert Tjian - Director, Science Advisory Board Member, Audit Committee Member (joined 2018)
• James G. Mitchell - Director, Science Advisory Board Chair (joined 2013)
• E. Davisson Hardman - Director, Chief Financial Officer, Investment Committee Chair (joined 2013)
• Amy Fuermann - Corporate Secretary

Key Staff:

• Naoko Tanese - Chief Science Officer, Science Advisory Board Chair (joined June 2023) ($257,500 compensation in 2024 990 filing)
• Hakan Kupesiz - Chief Investment Officer ($150,000 compensation in 2024 990 filing)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants are awarded through:

1. Invitation-Only Research Grants: The foundation annually provides grants through a competitive process that involves evaluating proposals submitted by nominees from select institutions including California Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of California Berkeley, and University of California San Francisco.

2. PhD Scholar and Fellowship Programmes: Students at partner universities (UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC San Francisco, University of Washington, University of Colorado Boulder, and University of Utah) may apply through their respective institutions' internal processes.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

Without a public application process for general research grants, success factors for open applications cannot be determined. The foundation operates through established relationships with select research institutions and makes funding decisions through its Science Advisory Board. For PhD programmes, students should contact their institution's graduate school office for eligibility requirements and application procedures.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation has substantial assets ($104.2 million) and makes significant annual distributions ($11.5 million in 2024)
• No public application process exists for general research grants - funding is invitation-only or through established institutional partnerships
• Clear focus on neuroscience, brain research, and biomedical sciences in the life sciences
• Research grants are limited to nominees from a select group of elite research institutions (Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, Stanford, UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco)
• PhD programmes are available at six partner universities, with priority for women and international students
• The foundation maintains a Science Advisory Board that includes distinguished scientists (Board Chair James G. Mitchell and Chief Science Officer Naoko Tanese)
• Founded in 2006 with nearly two decades of grantmaking history
• Emphasis on basic research with broad human benefit and long-term sustainable impact
• Organisations outside the established institutional partnerships would need to establish direct relationships with board members or staff to be considered for funding

References

• Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation official website (curcifoundation.org) (accessed May 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Shurl And Kay Curci Foundation (accessed May 2026)
• IRS Form 990-PF, Tax Year 2024
• Inside Philanthropy - Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation profile (accessed May 2026)
• IRS Tax-Exempt Organisation records