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The Organization
Mission: To promote research in chemistry and life sciences, broadly interpreted, and particularly to foster the invention of methods, instruments, and materials that will open up new avenues of research in science through grants to program-related, nonprofit research institutions.
Arnold O. Beckman was an educator, an accomplished scientist, a bold entrepreneur, a civic leader, and a world-renowned philanthropist and humanitarian. Dr. Beckman paved the way for myriad scientific breakthroughs throughout his life, and the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundationcontinues this legacy today. Founded in 1977, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation is a nonprofit foundation that awards grants to advance chemistry and life sciences research. Dr. Beckman and his wife, Mabel, were partners in every sense of the word. After his retirement, they became increasingly active philanthropists, leaving a legacy that continues to shape the future of science and technology through the Foundation's ongoing work.
Throughout his long life, Arnold Beckman was as respected as he was admired. He was recognized as a brilliant scientist and inventor, a devoted family man, and a friend. Considered one of the top five inventors of scientific instruments in the 20thcentury, Dr. Beckman created devices that revolutionized the study and understanding of chemistry and human biology. Dr. Beckman's integrity and deep love for science were hallmarks of his highly decorated career. He earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and a master's degree in physical chemistry from the University of Illinois, and a doctorate in photochemistry from the California Institute of Technology, where he also served as an assistant professor and later as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Dr. Beckman's influence on the scientific community was profound. His invention of the acidimeter, a precursor to the modern pH meter, quickly became an essential tool in analytical chemistry and helped revolutionize the field. This achievement earned him a place in the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1987. His unwavering commitment to developing and manufacturing scientific instruments led to the release of the Beckman DU Spectrophotometer in 1941, a device that revolutionized chemical analysis. President George Herbert Walker Bush recognized these extraordinary contributions by awarding Dr. Beckman the National Medal of Science in 1989 for his leadership in analytical instrumentation development and his deep concern for the vitality of the nation's scientific enterprises. He was also nationally recognized during the Reagan administration with the 1989 Presidential Citizens Medal and the 1988 National Medal of Technology for his outstanding technological contributions to the United States.
Arnold O. Beckman’s innovations revolutionized science; his philanthropy continues to do so. The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation invests millions annually in institutions and people performing cutting-edge research. The Foundation actively seeks high-risk, interdisciplinary research projects that would be unlikely to secure funding from federal agencies. It then supports awarded scientists with flexible funding to pursue their research interests. The Foundation is proud to count three Chemistry Nobel Laureates among its alumni: Dr. Jennifer Doudna (1996 BYI) was awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize for gene-editing technology, Dr. Carolyn Bertozzi (1998 BYI) was awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize for click chemistry, and Dr. David Baker (1995 BYI) was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize for computational protein design.
The Beckman Foundation has over $800 million in assets under management and grants approximately $34 million annually. About 60% of this annual funding is directed to individual scientists/programs; the remaining 40% supports the five named Beckman Institutes.
The Opportunity
The Board of Directors of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation provides leadership and strategic guidance for all of the Foundation’s activities and grant programs. The board partners with the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation Executive Director and the Science Advisory Council to implement these programs. Board members may serve a maximum of 10 years, with the first year a probationary year; board member assessments are conducted in years four and seven.
The incoming board member will have succeeded in a career dedicated to science within an academic setting. With a background that allows for the provision of sound counsel, this credible scientist will help foster mission-focused volunteer leadership. As this individual’s expertise will both help guide the work of the board and be fundamental to best-in-class service delivery, a nuanced understanding of scientific research in academia is essential. This respected member of the scientific community will have knowledge of and a deep commitment to the Beckman Foundation’s programs and impact. The new member will join the board in the second or third quarter of 2027, depending on the selected candidate’s schedule and availability.
Work Environment
The Foundation’s offices are located in Irvine, California. The Board of Directors meets four times annually: in February, in May as part of a day-and-a-half-long board retreat, in August during the annual Beckman Symposium, and in October. These meetings are primarily held in Southern California, though the board occasionally uses them to visit the Stanford Beckman Center or the Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois. While in-person attendance is preferred, board members can participate virtually if necessary.
Compensation
Board members are not directly compensated for their service. The Foundation will reimburse members for reasonable travel costs to attend board events. After a full year of service on the board, each board member is eligible to participate in two gift programs administered by the Foundation:
· Trustee gifts: up to $50,000/fiscal year to donate to 501(c)(3) organization(s) of their choice;
· Matching gifts: up to $50,000/fiscal year in matching funds for any board member donations to 501(c)(3) organization(s).