Make an impact today
Philanthropic contributions play a vital role in advancing the mission of the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (WCNDD) at Vanderbilt University. These generous gifts fuel groundbreaking research, support patient and family outreach, and enable the discovery of life-changing treatments for complex brain disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, schizophrenia, and more.
Major Philanthropic Contributors and Named Endowments
The WCNDD is proud to recognize the following philanthropic partners whose generosity directly advances our work:
The William K. Warren Foundation
Transformational support that has been instrumental in establishing and sustaining the WCNDD's mission.
Pat Farley Endowment
Dedicated to supporting innovative Alzheimer’s disease research.
Janie Ralston Bowles Lewy Body Drug Discovery and Advocacy Endowment
Focused on drug discovery and advocacy efforts for Lewy body dementia.
**See more information below
Zenobia and Mark Godshalk Alzheimer’s Research Endowment
Supporting critical Alzheimer’s research initiatives.
NJ Serwinowski Endowment for Parkinson’s Research
Advancing research to develop treatments for Parkinson’s disease.
Helen H. and Morris D. Hartman, MD 1910, Neurological Research Fund
Supporting a wide range of neurological research projects.
In May 2022, Vanderbilt University received $20 million from The William K. Warren Foundation, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to establish the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery.
The William K. Warren Foundation was founded in 1945 by oilman William Kelly Warren and his wife, Natalie Overall Warren, who graduated from Vanderbilt (1920) and shares that distinction with her father (1885) and her four siblings. The Warren Foundation established Oklahoma’s largest health care provider, the Saint Francis Health System, and the Laureate Institute for Brain Research in Tulsa. The Foundation supports health care innovation, medical research, Catholic initiatives, education and Tulsa-specific causes. In addition to supporting research efforts, part of the Warren gift will be used to create an endowment designed to encourage mentorship and the development of a long-term pipeline of research leaders. The Warren Foundation has been a longstanding supporter of Vanderbilt and its Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery. There are currently seven endowed faculty chairs supported by the foundation—ranging in disciplines from medicine and pediatrics to divinity—as well as the William K. Warren Foundation Scholarship for deserving undergraduates in the College of Arts & Science.
“Genuine breakthroughs sometimes require taking paths that may not seem promising—or at least commercially viable—in the earliest stages of scientific investigation,” said Craig Lindsley, who holds the William K. Warren, Jr. Chair in Medicine. “The support of philanthropic organizations like the Warren Foundation is critical to making discoveries that may not otherwise see the light of day and translate them to the clinic.”
How Philanthropy Fuels Discovery and Impact
Every dollar of philanthropic support is dedicated to advancing drug discovery and outreach efforts. Unlike many funding models, 100% of philanthropic gifts go directly toward research and patient-focused initiatives—not toward overhead or operational expenses.
Philanthropic support enables the WCNDD to:
Develop novel technologies to address some of the world’s most prevalent and debilitating brain disorders.
Recruit and retain world-class talent, blending academic expertise with pharmaceutical industry insights.
Foster collaborative partnerships with global pharmaceutical leaders to accelerate the drug discovery process.
Engage in community outreach and education programs, such as the award-winning documentary Speaking Through Me, which educates adolescents on the impact of substance abuse on the developing brain.
The Power of Partnership
The generosity of our philanthropic partners empowers the WCNDD to pursue high-risk, high-reward research that may not be viable in commercial settings. Together, we are unlocking new possibilities for treatments that have the potential to transform lives, families, and communities.
To learn more about how you can support the WCNDD, please visit the donation link below or contact us directly.