2018 Annual Report letter
Dear Friends:
Our annual report often feels like an after-action review. Since it is released in conjunction with our audited financial statements, the release of the report can come months after the highlighted events have taken place. Still, reflecting on our work and the achievements of our grantees after some months serves a purpose and can reveal an important perspective that was not as evident in real time.
As we look back to 2018, we will remember it as a notable year of leadership transition and preparation for the future. Our founder, Gordon Moore, transitioned to chairman emeritus and Paul Gray stepped in as our second chairman. We also codified and clarified our approach to philanthropy, providing guidance to staff, trustees and grantees. We believe that a consistent philanthropic approach will help us fulfill our foundation’s mission and honor the legacy of our founders in the years to come.
Our 2018 report highlights some of the ways the foundation’s projects, partnerships and research expanded understanding and made an impact on our fields of interest.
Sustained investments
The value of the decisions and investments we made in 2018 may not be fully evident for years to come. Among the major decisions this year were renewing our support for the Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative and launching a new body of work to achieve diagnostic excellence in health care.
- Attaining diagnostic excellence - Nearly every American will experience a diagnostic error in their lifetime. A report from the National Academy of Medicine states “improving the diagnostic process is not only possible, it also represents a moral, professional and public health imperative.” This year, the foundation launched the Diagnostic Excellence Initiative – a six-year, $85 million effort to reduce harm from erroneous or delayed diagnoses resulting in improved diagnostic efficiency, better health outcomes and saved lives.
- Renewed focus on emergent phenomena- Quantum materials are fertile ground for the occurrence of emergent phenomena that challenge and deepen understanding of complex matter. In recent years, progress by experimentalists and theorists alike has energized research on materials, ushering in the new field of quantum materials. The foundation doubled down on its Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative adding $95 million and six more years, for a total of $185 million, to support discovery-driven research in this rapidly growing field.
Enduring difference
The report also showcases the benefits and long-term impact to fostering path-breaking scientific discovery, environmental conservation, patient care improvements and preservation of the special character of the Bay Area. These select 2018 achievements highlight progress across our programs.
- Unlocking the mysteries of the ocean - Fifteen years ago, the life sciences entered a new era of DNA sequencing and genomics, expanding possibilities for scientific research. Inspired by these new tools and how they might be used to advance knowledge in the emerging field of marine microbial ecology, we launched the Marine Microbiology Initiative. Early years focused on “who’s there?” among the microbes in the sea. As scientists began to answer this question, research expanded to focus on uncovering the scientific principles that govern the interactions among microbes and deciphering the roles of microbial communities in the ocean’s carbon, nitrogen and other elemental cycles. In 2018, we made a decision to wind down this spectacular, significant body of work over the next three years.
- Safeguarding Arctic marine life and subsistence activities - The Arctic Ocean connects to the frigid, northernmost stretch of the Pacific Ocean through the Bering Strait and Sea. These sub-Arctic waters abound with large populations of birds, mammals and fish, and support communities in Alaska and Russia who have long built their livelihoods around this bounty. But in recent years sea ice has retreated, opening these waters to an unprecedented and sharp increase in shipping traffic. In 2018, thanks to work jointly with the Oak Foundation and Pew Charitable Trusts, our grantees helped bring about new shipping lanes and buffer zones that will safeguard the marine environment and the people of the region.
- Equipping family members to provide high-quality care - Across the world, people are living longer. The global average life expectancy has more than doubled since 1900 and is now approaching 70 years. With longer lives come unique challenges – the aging population has a significant impact on more than 34 million unpaid caregivers in the United States. The Family Caregiving Institute at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at the University of California Davis empowers nurse leaders to develop systems and tools that train and support family caregivers in their roles in the home. Improving the training and support of family caregivers is an important step in our coordinated efforts to improve the quality and outcomes of patient care.
- Providing public access to the Jenner Headlands - Where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean, the Jenner Headlands make up 5,630 acres of biologically diverse coastal prairie and forest on the scenic Sonoma Coast. The headlands overlook the ocean and are a complex mosaic of natural habitats. Since 2009, we have supported the acquisition and stewardship of the Jenner Headlands. After nearly a decade of work, our collective efforts have made it possible for the public to enjoy the splendor of the Sonoma coast, while taking care to preserve its natural resources and habitats.
Significant and positive impact
Gordon and Betty Moore established this foundation with the intention of making significant and positive impact in the world. Each year it is heartening to review the accomplishments from the past year and reflect on the progress we’ve made toward that vision.
Our founders’ character and generosity remain our compass and guide. It is a privilege to be part of the organization that extends their legacy to create lasting change for good.
Sincerely,
Harvey V. Fineberg, M.D., Ph.D.
President
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
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