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Ge Li & Ning Zhao Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$10.2M
Grant Range
$1000K - $20.0M

Ge Li & Ning Zhao Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,191,745 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only funding)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Grant Range: $1,000,000 - $20,000,000 (based on known major gifts)
  • Geographic Focus: National (United States), with emphasis on major research institutions
  • Foundation Assets: $282.6 million

Contact Details

Address: Wilmington, DE
EIN: 35-2684719

Note: The foundation does not provide public contact information for grant applications. There is no website, email, or phone number for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Ge Li & Ning Zhao Family Foundation was established in 2020 by Dr. Ge Li and Dr. Ning Zhao, co-founders of WuXi AppTec (formerly WuXi PharmaTech), a global pharmaceutical research and development company. With assets of approximately $282.6 million, the foundation is dedicated to advancing education, scientific research, and healthcare innovations to achieve meaningful improvements in the well-being of humanity. Since 2021, the foundation has awarded 14 individual grants totaling over $20.9 million. The foundation's giving strategy appears to be deeply personal, inspired by Dr. Ning Zhao's two-decade battle with cancer before her passing in May 2023. Recent major gifts have focused on cancer research, particularly lung cancer research, and oncology nursing education at leading cancer centers in the United States.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, it makes strategic, large-scale gifts to institutions aligned with its mission. Known funding areas include:

  • Cancer Research and Treatment: Multi-million dollar gifts to leading cancer research institutions for basic, translational, and clinical research
  • Healthcare Workforce Development: Support for oncology nursing education, training, and career development
  • Scientific Education: Funding for chemistry teaching and research at universities
  • Healthcare Infrastructure: Capital support for simulation centers and training facilities

Priority Areas

Based on publicly announced grants, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Cancer Research: Particularly lung cancer research and new therapy development
  • Oncology Nursing: Building the pipeline of highly trained oncology nurses and supporting professional advancement
  • Scientific Research: Supporting chemistry research and teaching at leading universities
  • Healthcare Innovation: Advancing medical education and training through state-of-the-art facilities
  • Memorial and Legacy Initiatives: Many gifts are structured to honor Dr. Ning Zhao's legacy in cancer research and healthcare

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not published, the foundation's focus is clearly narrow:

  • Does not appear to fund organizations outside healthcare, education, and scientific research
  • Does not fund small-scale community projects
  • Does not provide general operating support to most organizations
  • Geographic focus appears limited to the United States

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Dr. Ge Li - Director, Treasurer, President, and Secretary
Dr. Ge Li is the founder and Chairman of WuXi AppTec, one of the world's leading pharmaceutical R&D services companies. He received his B.A. from Peking University (1989) and Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Columbia University (1994). Forbes estimated his net worth at $10 billion as of 2022. He is a member of the Committee of 100, an organization dedicated to promoting understanding between the United States and China.

Dr. Ning Zhao (1967-2023) - Director, President, and Secretary (posthumously honored)
Dr. Zhao was co-founder and former Senior Vice President and Global Head of Human Resources at WuXi AppTec. A Peking University classmate of Dr. Li, she also earned her Ph.D. from Columbia University. She battled cancer for two decades before passing away in May 2023. She was recognized as a dedicated scientist, business leader, and philanthropist committed to advancing human health and cancer research globally.

Michael Le-Cheng Li - Director and Treasurer

Note: None of the key personnel receive compensation for their roles at the foundation.

Foundation Philosophy

Dr. Ge Li has stated: "Dana-Farber continues to lead the way in the field of oncology nursing. With this gift, we seek to honor Ning's legacy..." The foundation's approach reflects the founders' original mission at WuXi AppTec: to provide services enabling innovators to create breakthroughs for patients worldwide.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Ge Li & Ning Zhao Family Foundation operates as a private family foundation that makes grants through trustee discretion rather than accepting unsolicited applications.

Based on publicly available information, the foundation's grants appear to be made through:

  • Direct outreach to major institutions aligned with the foundation's mission
  • Relationships with leading research and healthcare institutions
  • Strategic initiatives identified by foundation leadership
  • Personal connections and the founders' network in pharmaceutical research and healthcare

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's grantmaking is highly strategic and relationship-driven, focused on prestigious institutions with demonstrated leadership in cancer research and healthcare education. Given the foundation's limited public-facing presence, organizations seeking funding should consider:

Institutional Leadership: The foundation has made gifts to institutions that are recognized leaders in their fields - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (ranked among top cancer centers), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (premier cancer research institution), and Columbia University (Dr. Li and Dr. Zhao's alma mater). Organizations without comparable stature and reputation in cancer research or healthcare may not align with the foundation's strategic approach.

Personal Connection to Mission: The foundation's giving is deeply personal, centered on honoring Dr. Ning Zhao's legacy and supporting areas related to cancer research and oncology care. Proposals that can demonstrate clear alignment with cancer research (particularly lung cancer), oncology nursing, or scientific education in chemistry may be more likely to resonate.

Existing WuXi AppTec Relationships: Given Dr. Li's leadership role at WuXi AppTec, institutions that have research partnerships, collaborative relationships, or connections to WuXi AppTec's pharmaceutical development network may have an advantage in gaining the foundation's attention.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at the discretion of foundation leadership rather than through a formal review cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. In 2023, the foundation made 9 awards totaling $10.2 million.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Given that this foundation does not accept public applications, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, based on their grantmaking patterns, the following characteristics appear important:

Alignment with Personal Mission: The foundation's giving is deeply connected to Dr. Ning Zhao's experience with cancer and her legacy in pharmaceutical research. Organizations working on cancer research, particularly lung cancer, and oncology care infrastructure are central to their mission.

Institutional Prestige and Track Record: All publicly announced major gifts have gone to institutions with national or international reputations for excellence in cancer research and medical education (Memorial Sloan Kettering, Dana-Farber, Columbia University).

Scale and Impact: The foundation makes large, transformational gifts rather than numerous small grants. Recent gifts have ranged from $10 million to $20 million and are structured to create lasting infrastructure (endowed chairs, simulation centers, research initiatives).

Naming Opportunities and Legacy: Most major gifts include naming opportunities that honor Dr. Ning Zhao and Dr. Ge Li (e.g., "Ning Zhao & Ge Li Family Initiative," "Ning Zhao Chair of Nursing"). The foundation appears to value opportunities to create permanent legacies in Dr. Zhao's name.

Focus on Research Infrastructure: Rather than funding individual research projects, the foundation creates endowed positions, research funds, and physical facilities that will support research and education for years to come.

Quote from Dr. Ge Li: "We are excited to contribute to the significant research being done at Memorial Sloan Kettering in the field of lung cancer... We look forward to witnessing how researchers will utilize these funds to advance discoveries."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - this foundation operates by invitation only through trustee discretion and strategic relationships
  • Large-scale gifts only - the foundation makes transformational grants ($10M-$20M) rather than numerous smaller awards
  • Narrow focus - cancer research (especially lung cancer), oncology nursing education, and scientific research at prestigious institutions
  • Personal mission-driven - giving is deeply connected to honoring Dr. Ning Zhao's legacy and her experience with cancer
  • Institutional prestige matters - all known major gifts have gone to nationally/internationally recognized leaders in cancer research and medical education
  • Legacy and naming opportunities - grants typically include opportunities to honor the Zhao and Li family names
  • Multi-year strategic commitments - the foundation creates endowed positions, research initiatives, and infrastructure rather than short-term project funding
  • Geographic reach - while based in Delaware, the foundation has funded institutions across the US including California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington

References

Research compiled December 2024

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