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Foundation Fighting Blindness Launches the Gund Vision Fund: Honoring a Legacy

The Foundation Fighting Blindness has officially restructured its venture philanthropy entity, previously recognized as the Retinal Degeneration Fund (RD Fund), now known as the Gund Vision Fund. This change signifies not only a new chapter for the organization but also pays tribute to the significant contributions of Gordon Gund and his family over the past five decades.

A Legacy Celebrated

Gordon Gund, a co-founder of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, has been instrumental in advocating for and funding research aimed at curing retinal diseases. His family's unwavering support has propelled the foundation's mission forward, making them pivotal figures in the fight against blindness. Jason Menzo, the CEO of Foundation Fighting Blindness, articulated that the new name embodies the Fund's history and its forward-looking vision. "The name reflects both where this Fund has been and where it is going," Menzo stated.

A Transformative Model in Venture Philanthropy

Since its inception in 2018, the newly formed Gund Vision Fund has evolved significantly. Initially established to address early-stage research bottlenecks, it has grown into a leader in venture philanthropy focused on retinal diseases. The fund has successfully managed over $140 million in strategic investments, directing more than $100 million into a diverse portfolio that includes 20 promising companies.

Furthermore, the Gund Vision Fund has partnered with over 60 co-investors, pooling more than $1.5 billion in institutional capital, thereby positioning itself as a crucial player in the biomedical landscape.

Commitment to Advancing Treatments

To further underscore its commitment to combating inherited retinal diseases and dry age-related macular degeneration, the Gund Vision Fund has launched a capital campaign aimed at raising $100 million. This campaign is anchored by a transformative $50 million challenge gift from the Gordon and Llura Gund Foundation, which will match donations dollar for dollar, effectively doubling the impact of new or increased contributions.

Rusty Kelley, PhD, Managing Director of the Gund Vision Fund, emphasized the importance of managing risks to foster innovation and expedite the delivery of treatments to patients.

"Building this Fund from the ground up has meant taking greater risks to bring treatments to patients and believing in companies when the path forward is uncertain," Kelley noted. "That conviction is being rewarded, as these treatments begin to reach patients who previously had no options."

The Future of the Gund Vision Fund

As part of its rebranding, the Gund Vision Fund has launched an updated website, GundVisionFund.org, along with revamped social media channels. This re-launch signifies a renewed focus on advancing critical therapeutic developments that will benefit patients in need of effective treatments for retinal diseases.

The Gund Vision Fund aims to bridge the funding gap between scientific discovery and the development of viable treatment options, ensuring that groundbreaking research translates into real-world solutions. The commitment of its founders and the strategic funding efforts reinforce the mission to diminish the impact of blindness globally, making a significant difference in the lives of those affected by retinal diseases.

For more information about the Gund Vision Fund and its initiatives, visit GundVisionFund.org and join the ongoing conversation to eradicate blindness caused by retinal degeneration.

About the Foundation Fighting Blindness

Founded in 1971, the Foundation Fighting Blindness continues to be the most prominent private funder of retinal degenerative disease research worldwide. With nearly $1 billion raised, its mission centers on accelerating research dedicated to finding treatments and cures for various retinal diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa, Usher syndrome, and Stargardt disease. To learn more, visit FightingBlindness.org.