Minnesota Medical Foundation Affiliates

The Minnesota Medical Foundation raises funds for all departments, divisions, institutes, centers, and programs of the University of Minnesota Medical School and the School of Public Health.

In addition, the Minnesota Medical Foundation also works with three affiliate organizations: the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center, the International Hearing Foundation and the University Pediatrics Foundation. These affiliates have their own volunteer boards of directors which set the direction for each respective organization. However, affiliate organizations operate legally under the Medical Foundation umbrella and the Foundation's 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. The Minnesota Medical Foundation coordinates fund-raising between affiliate organizations and reduces administrative costs and duplication of effort by centralizing essential services. The Foundation provides services such as accounting, human resources, computer and database support, and overall fund-raising assistance.

Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center (BAARC)

The Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center (BAARC) was founded in 1991 to raise public awareness about ataxia and to fund research. The center is named for former Minnesota Twins star Bob Allison, who died of ataxia in 1995. Allison and his family have been leaders in the effort to find a cure for ataxia and were instrumental in establishing the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center.

The center funds a range of research projects in the University of Minnesota Department of Neurology, including measuring electrical impulses in individual cells; mapping brain activity in different forms of ataxia through sophisticated imaging technology; and identifying gene defects in new genetic forms of ataxia.

Learn more about the Bob Allison Ataxia Reserach Center by visiting its Web site, or make a gift to BAARC.

International Hearing Foundation

The International Hearing Foundation (IHF) generates private support for hearing research, education, and awareness programs.

IHF was founded to support the Otopathology Laboratory at the University of Minnesota, which is one of three viable labs like it in the country. The University is home to one of the world's largest collections of temporal bone, helping scientists understand the complexities of ear disease and hearing-related problems. Today doctors from around the world come to the teaching labs here to do research with University of Minnesota experts.

University scientists have discovered new ear diseases and pioneered research on infections that can spread to the inner ear. A ventilation tube for people with chronic ear infections that's used around the world was invented here. Now researchers are studying the cause and development of ear diseases to create the best therapies for patients.

Learn more about the the International Hearing Foundation by visiting its Web site, or make a gift to IHF.

University Pediatrics Foundation

The University Pediatrics Foundation (UPF) is a community-based organization which supports research, service, and education in the University of Minnesota's Department of Pediatrics to advance the quality of health and life for children and adolescents.

The University Pediatrics Foundation, formed in March 2002, represents the combined resources and efforts of the former Variety Children's Association and the University Children's Foundation. Since 1934, Variety Children's Association had provided clinical and hospital facilities, funded research and supported numerous areas of health care. The University Children's Foundation, since 1988, had helped accelerate medical research into the causes and cures of countless children's diseases.

Given the common missions of the organizations and the unprecedented opportunities provided by 21st century medicine, the respective boards of directors moved to join forces to more effectively support research and service within the University's Department of Pediatrics.

Philanthropic support of the University Pediatrics Foundation advances efforts in: bone marrow transplantation, hematology, and oncology; cardiology; endocrinology; epidemiology/clinical research; gastroenterology/nutrition; general pediatrics and adolescent health; genetics/metabolism; infectious disease; neonatology; neurology; pulmonary/critical medicine; and rheumatology.

Learn more about the University Pediatrics Foundation by visiting its Web site, or make a gift to UPF.