$125 million joint gift for genomic science from Lifestyles Magazine/Meaningful Influence cover subject Caitlin Heising’s family and Russell L. Carson family
In a landmark show of continued support for cutting-edge biomedical research, two major philanthropic organizations—the Simons Foundation International (SFI) and the Carson Family Charitable Trust—have committed a combined $125 million to the New York Genome Center (NYGC), securing its core operations through 2029.
The funding package includes a substantial $100 million gift from SFI, reaffirming its long-term commitment to advancing genomic research.
The Carson Family Charitable Trust, a consistent champion of scientific innovation in New York, is contributing an additional $25 million.
Together, these gifts mirror the donors’ earlier 2019 commitment of the same magnitude and division, bringing their total direct investment in NYGC to $250 million over the last decade.
The Carson Family Charitable Trust was founded in 1991 by Russell L. Carson, a private equity investor and founding partner of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe.
Russell Carson, his wife Judith, and their two children, Edward and Cecily, serve as trustees of the foundation. Cecily Carson is currently its president.
The trust focuses on philanthropy in areas such as education, poverty relief, healthcare, medical science, and culture.
The Simons Foundation International (SFI) is a philanthropic organization focused on advancing research in mathematics and the basic sciences.
It primarily provides long-term grants to scientific institutions, supporting their research initiatives.
SFI operates under the broader Simons Foundation umbrella, founded in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, with headquarters in New York City and international operations based in Hamilton, Bermuda.
Marilyn and Jim Simons’ granddaughter Caitlin Heising was recently featured on the cover of Lifestyles Magazine/Meaningful Influence.
Both organizations were instrumental in founding the NYGC in 2011, driven by a shared vision of transforming biomedical science through collaborative, high-impact research. Their renewed support underscores their trust in the center’s mission and leadership during a time of strategic transition.
“This is not just funding—it’s a vote of confidence in the scientific future we’re building,” said a spokesperson for the Simons Foundation International. “We believe deeply in NYGC’s role at the forefront of genomic discovery, and in the leadership of its incoming CEO, Bing Ren.”
Ren, a trailblazer in the fields of genomics and epigenetics, is set to assume his role as scientific director and CEO in April, succeeding Tom Maniatis. Ren’s research focuses on the regulatory mechanisms that control gene expression, with implications for understanding human development and disease. A Harvard-trained biochemist with postdoctoral work at MIT’s Whitehead Institute, Ren is expected to usher in a bold new era at the center.
“We are honored to continue supporting the Genome Center,” said Russell Carson, founder of the Carson Family Charitable Trust. “From its founding, we’ve believed in NYGC’s potential to make a global impact. With Bing Ren stepping in, we’re even more confident in the breakthroughs yet to come.”
Current CEO Tom Maniatis welcomed Ren warmly, stating, “Bing’s pioneering work has already reshaped our understanding of the human genome. His vision will guide NYGC into an exciting new chapter.”
As the NYGC advances its mission, the enduring commitment of SFI and the Carson Family Trust highlights the critical role that philanthropic leadership plays in pushing the boundaries of human knowledge—and changing the future of healthcare.