RSVP GAP Enablers Series: Advancing Philanthropy for GAP Programs and Innovation Opportunities

This event is for research institution GAP/technology commercialization and advancement/development officers. We will review RSVPs and send out event access details within two business days.


Event Description for Research Institution GAP Leaders and Advancement/Development Teams

University GAP (gap fund and accelerator programs), like proof of concept programs, translational research funds, startup accelerators, and university venture funds,  have become essential infrastructure for advancing early-stage innovation from discovery toward real-world application. As traditional sources of early-stage capital become more constrained, institutions are increasingly turning to philanthropy and institutional strategic funding to support these efforts.

Insights from the Mind the Gap 2025 report show that nearly 60% of funding supporting GAP programs comes from philanthropic sources and institutional allocation, underscoring the critical role of advancement in sustaining and scaling these programs.  

This session brings together GAP program leaders and advancement professionals to explore how institutions are:

• Engaging donors and foundations in support of innovation
• Structuring philanthropic funding for GAP programs and portfolios
• Aligning advancement strategy with commercialization and research priorities

The program will feature brief perspectives from advancement leaders who have successfully built philanthropic support for GAP initiatives, followed by a moderated discussion on future opportunities for deeper collaboration across advancement, technology commercialization, and GAP program leadership.

Who Should Attend from Research Institutions

• GAP program leaders and commercialization teams
• Advancement and development professionals
• Research and innovation leadership

Why Attend

• Learn how peer institutions are successfully engaging philanthropy to support innovation
• Explore new approaches to funding early-stage programs and projects
• Build alignment between advancement and innovation leadership within your institution
• Identify actionable strategies to expand and diversify funding sources