Life Science Cares Inc logo

Life Science Cares Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Cambridge, MA EIN: 81-2435939 Website

Life Science Cares Inc is a public charity based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 2016, it mobilizes financial and human resources from the life sciences industry and partners with local nonprofits to address poverty and inequality in its communities.

Life Science Cares Inc at a glance

In short: Life Science Cares Inc gave $5.4M across 91 grants in 2024 (avg $59K), mostly in California. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2024)
$5,408,017
+4.1% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
91
-11.7% vs 2023
Average grant
$59,429
+17.9% vs 2023
Median grant
$50,000
Total assets
$11,977,275
+7.9% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
29% first-time grantees (26 of 91, 2024)
Primary geography
California (54% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Life Science Cares Inc

How to Apply

The organization describes a competitive selection process involving staff, its Board of Directors, Boards of Managers, and Grant Review Committees. Regional details vary.

Contact

Mailing address: PO Box 425486, Cambridge, MA 02142
Phone: (617) 637-5052
Website: https://lifesciencecares.org

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Life Science Cares Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Junior Achievement of San Diego: $425KJunior Achievement of SanDiego$425KSan Diego Squared: $275KSan Diego Squared$275KJust in Time for Foster Youth: $200KJust in Time for Foster Youth$200KBarrio Logan College Institute: $175KBarrio Logan College Institute$175KHorizons National Student Enrichment (Horizons) Co Edward Charles Foundati: $150KHorizons National StudentEnrichment (Horizons) Co…$150KFamily Aid Boston: $127KFamily Aid Boston$127KKids in Tech: $125KKids in Tech$125KVictory Programs Inc: $125KVictory Programs Inc$125KYoung Man with a Plan: $125KYoung Man with a Plan$125KMama's Kitchen: $120KMama's Kitchen$120K

The largest 2024 recipient was Junior Achievement of San Diego ($425K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.

Grant Size Distribution

382 grants across all recorded years

195<$50K131$50–100K53$100–250K3$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 195 grants of 382 (51%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Life Science Cares lists Boston, Philadelphia, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, and New York as its operating communities. In 2024, 54% of its reported grant dollars went to recipients in California and 38% to recipients in Massachusetts; the remainder went to recipients in New York, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania.

Grant Distribution by State

7states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 91 itemized grants.

Cities

BostonSan DiegoPhiladelphiaCambridgeSan FranciscoRoxburyOaklandNew YorkJamaica PlainNeedhamEncinitasLynnRedwood CityWalthamActonDorchesterEl GranadaEast BostonHyde ParkLincoln

Is Life Science Cares Inc open to new grantees?

29%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 26 of 91 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $29K; repeat grants $71K. How we count

Medians: $25K first-time, $55K repeat.

  • 68% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 91% from 2021 to 2024. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$2M$4M$6M29 grants2019 52 grants2020 58 grants2021 78 grants2022 103 grants2023 91 grants2024

From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $751K (2019) to $5.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 91 grants totaling $5.4M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Junior Achievement of San Diego San Diego, CADonation to Assist the Nonprofit$424,600
San Diego Squared San Diego, CADonation to Assist the Nonprofit$275,000
Just in Time for Foster Youth San Diego, CADonation to Assist the Nonprofit$200,000
Barrio Logan College Institute San Diego, CADonation to Assist the Nonprofit$175,000
Horizons National Student Enrichment (Horizons) Co Edward Charles Foundati San Diego, CADonation to Assist the Nonprofit$150,000
Family Aid Boston Boston, MADonation to Assist the Nonprofit$127,000
Kids in Tech Lowell, MADonation to Assist the Nonprofit$125,000
Victory Programs Inc Boston, MADonation to Assist the Nonprofit$125,000
Young Man with a Plan Hyde Park, MADonation to Assist the Nonprofit$125,000
Mama's Kitchen San Diego, CADonation to Assist the Nonprofit$120,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2024$11,977,275$12,525,481$11,120,153$5,408,01791$185,787
2023$11,095,745$9,986,155$9,856,770$5,193,815103$129,579
2022$9,242,190$8,643,098$6,935,202$3,749,64478$-317
2021$8,104,702$8,289,428$4,485,257$2,828,86558$1,019
2020$3,578,866$5,637,759$3,604,534$2,605,36052$17,742
2019$1,456,352$1,492,468$1,327,605$750,93229$2,330

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

Life Science Cares says its mission is to activate the financial and human capital of the life sciences industry and partner with nonprofits to disrupt poverty and inequality. Its stated areas of focus are access to basic needs, education, and opportunity, with health equity as a focus in Boston.

The organization seeks to fund 501(c)(3) nonprofits in its operating cities that address poverty and demonstrate effective service, committed leadership, financial stability, and a willingness to evaluate outcomes and build a partnership with Life Science Cares. It considers support for operations and general expenses, existing or new programming, program-related goods or equipment, and capacity building.

Examples of 2024 grantees illustrate the range of work supported. Junior Achievement of San Diego County describes its work as helping young people build financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship skills. San Diego Squared says it advances STEM education and workforce development for underrepresented and underserved communities. FamilyAid Boston describes its work as helping parents and caregivers facing homelessness secure and sustain housing.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2024, Life Science Cares reported 91 grants totaling $5,408,017. Individual grants ranged from $8,400 to $424,600, with a median of $50,000. The organization describes its grantmaking as competitive and says it works alongside partners during their grant terms. Its website identifies regional details as varying by location.

Among the largest 2024 grants were $424,600 to Junior Achievement of San Diego, $275,000 to San Diego Squared, $200,000 to Just in Time for Foster Youth, and $175,000 to Barrio Logan College Institute. Other substantial awards included $127,000 to FamilyAid Boston and $125,000 each to Kids in Tech, Victory Programs, and Young Man With a Plan.

The organization says it maintains regular check-ins with grantees, requires copies of annual reports as they are published, and requires grantees to report grant outcomes annually.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Rob Perez as chair and Mike Tomsicek as treasurer. Directors listed were Abe Ceesay, Robert Urban, Cynthia Mazareas, Nolan Townsend, Jeff Hessekiel, Nina Kjellson, and Tom Daniel. Jeff Marrazzo was listed as a director until November 12, 2024.

Life Science Cares Inc is led by Sarah Macdonald, Clerk, CEO & Lsc National since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 6 of 24 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Sarah Macdonald

    Clerk, CEO & Lsc National

    President, Life Science Cares & Clerk → CEO & Lsc National, 2023

    CEO & Lsc National → Clerk, CEO & Lsc National, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    40 hrs/week

    $191K (2019) → $272K (2024)

  • Aisha Baro

    Executive Director & Bay Area

    Executive Director & Lsc Bay Area → Executive Director & Bay Area, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    40 hrs/week

    $101K (2021) → $269K (2024)

  • Leane Marchese

    Interim Executive Director & Boston

    Executive Director & Lsc San Diego → Executive Director & San Diego, 2023

    Executive Director & San Diego → Interim Executive Director & Boston, 2024

    On filings since 2021

    40 hrs/week

    $136K (2021) → $206K (2024)

  • Morgan Berman

    Executive Director & Philly

    Executive Director & Lsc Philly → Executive Director & Philly, 2023

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $148K (2022) → $206K (2024)

  • Elizabeth Fassberg

    Executive Director & New York

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $184K (2024)

  • Yvonne Spicer

    Executive Director & Boston

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $209K (2024)

  • Rob Perez

    Chair

    Founder & Chairman → Director, 2022

    Director → Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Cynthia Mazareas

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • David Melville

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Abe Ceesay

    Director

    Director → Chair & Director, 2022

    Chair & Director → Director, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Robert Urban

    Director

    Director → Vice Chair & Director, 2022

    Vice Chair & Director → Director, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jeff Hessekiel

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jeff Marrazzo

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jennifer Fox

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Nina Kjellson

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Nolan Townsend

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tom Daniel

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Trisha Millican

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Vin Milano

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Carin Canale-Theakston

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Heidi Zod

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jim Reddoch

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Seema Kumar

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mike Tomsicek

    Treasurer

    Treasurer & Director → Treasurer, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (14)
  • Former: Glen Giovannetti (2019–2023) — Director
  • Former: Peter Pedro (2019–2023) — Director
  • Former: Rene Russo (2019–2023) — Director
  • Former: Samantha Truex (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Chip Clark (2022–2023) — Director
  • Former: Kelly Brawn (2022–2023) — Director of Programs & Boston
  • Former: Terry-Ann Burrell (2022–2023) — Director
  • Former: Bernadette Frias (2023) — Director of Programs & Bay Area
  • Former: John Maraganore (2023) — Director
  • Former: Tim Hunt (2019–2022) — Director
  • Former: Emily Stanford (2022) — Dvelopment Director & Boston
  • Former: Christine Casalini (2020–2021) — Former Development Director
  • Former: Mike Bonney (2019–2020) — Director
  • Former: Peter Wolf (2019) — Executive Director & Lsc Philly

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Sarah Macdonald — Clerk & CEO, LSC National: $272KSarah MacdonaldClerk & CEO, LSC National$272KAisha Baro — Executive Director, Bay Area: $269KAisha BaroExecutive Director, Bay Area$269KYvonne Spicer — Exec. Director, Boston (Until 2024): $209KYvonne SpicerExec. Director, Boston (Until…$209KLeane Marchese — Interim Exec. Director, Boston: $206KLeane MarcheseInterim Exec. Director, Boston$206KMorgan Berman — Executive Director, Philly: $206KMorgan BermanExecutive Director, Philly$206KElizabeth Fassberg — Executive Director, New York: $184KElizabeth FassbergExecutive Director, New York$184K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $272K, to Sarah Macdonald (Clerk & CEO, LSC National). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Life Science Cares Inc

How much does Life Science Cares Inc give each year?

Life Science Cares Inc gave $5.4M across 91 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $5.2M across 103 grants.

What is Life Science Cares Inc's typical grant size?

Life Science Cares Inc's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $59,429, across 91 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Life Science Cares Inc that year got $29K on average.

Where does Life Science Cares Inc give grants?

Life Science Cares Inc gives mostly in California: 54% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (38%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (18 grants), San Diego, CA (17 grants), San Francisco, CA (4 grants) and Cambridge, MA (4 grants).

Does Life Science Cares Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 91 grants with a stated purpose on Life Science Cares Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation to Assist the Nonprofit" (91 grants).

Who are Life Science Cares Inc's largest grantees?

Life Science Cares Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Junior Achievement of San Diego ($424,600), San Diego Squared ($275,000) and Just in Time for Foster Youth ($200,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Life Science Cares Inc?

Life Science Cares Inc reported $12.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.5M.

What does Life Science Cares Inc fund?

Life Science Cares says its mission is to activate the financial and human capital of the life sciences industry and partner with nonprofits to disrupt poverty and inequality. Its stated areas of focus are access to basic needs, education, and opportunity, with health equity as a focus in Boston. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Life Science Cares Inc?

The organization describes a competitive selection process involving staff, its Board of Directors, Boards of Managers, and Grant Review Committees. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Life Science Cares Inc's EIN?

Life Science Cares Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-2435939. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.

Data update history

(7)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 24, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 5, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 3, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 3, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 6, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 27, 2025)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Life Science Cares Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/life-science-cares-inc-morg_984fcc8cc4f54087a3eb6ff0f50be8cc

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_812435939_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Life Science Cares Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/life-science-cares-inc-morg_984fcc8cc4f54087a3eb6ff0f50be8cc},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}

The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.

Figures come from Life Science Cares Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.

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