Davis Phinney Foundation

Davis Phinney Foundation
Name	Davis Phinney Foundation
Formation	2004
Founder	Davis Phinney
Type	Nonprofit organization
Purpose	Supporting people living with Parkinson's disease
Headquarters	Denver, Colorado
Region served	United States

Davis Phinney Foundation The Davis Phinney Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded to improve the lives of people living with Parkinson's disease through education, funding for research, and community programs. The foundation was established by former professional cyclist Davis Phinney and has since partnered with a range of medical centers, research institutions, and community organizations to promote practical strategies for living well with Parkinson's. Its work intersects with clinical research, patient advocacy, and public outreach initiatives.

History

The foundation was created in 2004 by Davis Phinney after his own diagnosis, linking him to networks including Team Motorola (cycling team), U.S. Postal Service Pro Cycling Team, and figures such as Greg LeMond, Lance Armstrong, and George Hincapie who exemplify ties between professional sport and health advocacy. Early activities connected the foundation with research hubs like University of Colorado Hospital, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, and advocacy organizations including Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Parkinson's Foundation, and American Parkinson Disease Association. The organization’s development paralleled broader Parkinson's initiatives involving institutions like National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and community partners such as YMCA, AARP, and regional hospitals in cities like Denver, Colorado, Minneapolis, Boston, and San Francisco.

Mission and Programs

The foundation’s mission emphasizes helping people with Parkinson's live well today, aligning programmatic work with groups such as American Academy of Neurology, European Parkinson's Disease Association, Parkinson's UK, and research consortia including The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Signature programs have included exercise and wellness initiatives in collaboration with entities like U.S. Figure Skating, USA Cycling, and regional rehabilitation centers affiliated with Harvard Medical School, Stanford University School of Medicine, and University of California, San Francisco. Educational efforts have involved partnerships with media outlets and platforms such as National Public Radio, PBS, The New York Times, and CNN to disseminate information alongside patient-facing tools developed with clinics like Mount Sinai Health System and Northwestern Medicine.

Research and Grants

Grantmaking has supported translational and patient-centered research at institutions like University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Funding priorities often mirror agendas advanced by bodies including National Parkinson Foundation and collaborative research projects with data sources such as Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative and networks like ClinicalTrials.gov. The foundation has awarded grants to investigators working on exercise physiology, neuroprotection, and quality-of-life interventions with collaborators from Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and international centers in London, Toronto, and Melbourne.

Fundraising and Events

Fundraising has leveraged high-profile sporting events and cultural programs involving stakeholders such as Tour de France, Bicycle Film Festival, and charitable activities connected to teams like Team Sky and Team Garmin–Sharp. Annual and special events have featured athletes and public figures including Chris Horner, Kelly Benefit, and celebrity fundraisers in partnership with venues and organizations like Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver Broncos, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and festivals such as SXSW and Comic-Con International. Community-based fundraising often engages local hospitals, endurance events, and corporate sponsors from sectors represented by companies such as Nike, Patagonia, and major philanthropic foundations.

Partnerships and Advocacy

The foundation works in collaboration with national and international partners including World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, European Medicines Agency, and patient-led groups such as Parkinson's UK and Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. Advocacy activities have intersected with policy discussions involving lawmakers and agencies in Washington, D.C., partnerships with disability advocacy organizations like Easterseals, and alliances with research funders including Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Wellcome Trust. The advocacy approach combines public awareness campaigns, clinical guideline dissemination with professional societies like American Neurological Association and International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, and community mobilization with nonprofits such as Alzheimer's Association and American Heart Association.

Leadership and Governance

Founded by Davis Phinney, leadership has included boards and trustees drawn from the worlds of sport, medicine, and philanthropy with connections to universities such as University of Colorado Boulder, Princeton University, and University of Michigan. Executive and volunteer leadership typically collaborates with clinical advisors from Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of California San Diego, and legal and financial oversight in consultation with firms and advisors experienced in nonprofit governance. Governance practices reflect standards promoted by organizations like Independent Sector and compliance frameworks aligned with state regulators in Colorado and federal requirements involving the Internal Revenue Service.

Category:Health charities in the United States