This message was originally published in the Hertz Foundation’s 2025 Impact Report.
What becomes possible when scientific leadership, exceptional minds, and philanthropic support come together? The impact of Hertz Fellows is visible every day in their pioneering work that solves critical challenges—from advancing human health to addressing climate change or feeding a growing world.
This year alone, three Hertz Fellows—Dario Amodei, Jared Kaplan, and Sam Rodriques—were named among the top 100 minds in artificial intelligence by TIME. Kathleen Alexander’s startup Savor has ramped up its production of carbon-based butter to transform sustainable food production, addressing one of humanity’s most pressing challenges. And Concerto Biosciences, led by Hertz Fellow and Board Member Cheri Ackerman Araromi, launched its first clinical trials of a microbe-based product to treat eczema.
These Hertz Fellows are among the more than 1,300 extraordinary individuals in our community boldly pursuing innovations that promise to have enduring effects on our nation and the world.
Yet we stand at a critical moment. Federal and institutional research budgets are tightening, limiting opportunities for early-career scientists precisely when their innovative thinking is most needed. In this environment of uncertainty, the Hertz Foundation becomes even more vital: we provide stable, long-term, flexible support that enables bold, independent research.
“In this environment of uncertainty, the Hertz Foundation becomes even more vital: we provide stable, long-term, flexible support that enables bold, independent research.”
The Hertz Fellowship equips fellows not only to innovate but also to lead, developing the next generation of scientific leadership our nation depends on and needs now more than ever.
Against this backdrop, the public launch of the MAKE HISTORY Campaign represents both a milestone and the foundation in motion. With over $31 million committed to date, we see evidence of extraordinary generosity and shared belief in our mission.
This campaign is about more than dollars, however. It is about securing the future of American innovation and scientific leadership at a time when global competition is intensifying. Our core goals are clear: expand fellowships to support more exceptional scientists, sustain the community-driven impact that makes the Hertz Foundation unique, and cultivate strategic partnerships that extend our reach and amplify our influence.
To strengthen the foundation for this work, we welcomed three new board members—Kevin Bowers, Sri Kosaraju and Jordan Chetty—this year who bring invaluable scientific and financial expertise. Their perspectives fortify our governance as we navigate an increasingly complex landscape.
“This work reaffirms the foundation’s role as a stabilizing force for scientific advancement and leadership.”
Our investment assets continue to grow, providing a sustainable backbone that lets us honor our commitments to fellows while planning strategically for the future. We’ve also improved our platform for telling fellows’ stories more intentionally, making their work more accessible and helping build public trust in science. These structural improvements position us to fulfill our responsibility as stewards of the Hertz legacy.
This year’s record applicant pool and new class of Fellows exemplify the excellence and purpose that define the Hertz Foundation. Their research spans artificial intelligence, climate technology, bioengineering, and quantum science—fields that will shape the future of innovation and address society’s most complex challenges.
The Hertz Summer Workshop remains a cornerstone of our community, fostering collaboration and lifelong connections that transcend any single research project. This year’s gathering included colleagues from our partner organizations, the Gates Foundation, Breakthrough Energy, and ADI—collaborations that amplify foundation’s reach and reaffirm our position as a trusted catalyst connecting science and philanthropy.
More than 60 years ago, Fannie and John Hertz articulated a founding belief that remains our North Star: science and freedom are essential to progress. That belief is even more vital today amid global competition and funding volatility.
Looking ahead, our priorities are clear. We will continue to expand the endowment to sustain 25 fellows annually. We will strengthen leadership development and mentorship opportunities, ensuring that Hertz Fellows are prepared not just to make discoveries but to lead institutions and shape policy. And we will expand the visibility and impact of the Hertz Community through strategic partnerships.
This work reaffirms the foundation’s role as a stabilizing force for scientific advancement and leadership.
None of this would be possible without you. To our donors, fellows, volunteers, and partners: your support sustains excellence through uncertain times. You enable the freedom and flexibility that allow brilliant minds to pursue bold ideas. You invest in people, not just projects, trusting that the right individuals will lead us toward breakthroughs we cannot yet imagine.
As we honor the legacy of Fannie and John Hertz, we do so by deepening our commitment to empowering the nation’s most promising innovators in science and technology. Together, we make history.
About the Hertz Foundation
The Hertz Foundation is the nation’s preeminent nonprofit organization committed to advancing American scientific and technological leadership. For more than 60 years, it has stood as an unwavering pillar of independent support through the renowned Hertz Fellowship, cultivating a multidisciplinary network of innovators whose work has positively impacted millions of lives. Learn more at hertzfoundation.org.
