Texas Children’s Hospital Named a Finalist for $100 Million Grant

Texas Children’s Hospital was recently named one of the top five finalists for the MacArthur Foundation's 100&Change grant, a global competition awarding a single $100 million grant to help solve one of the world’s most critical social challenges. The 100&Change competition received 869 valid applications from organizations and collaborations worldwide, according to the MacArthur Foundation.  

Texas Children’s Hospital’s project seeks to integrate essential sickle cell disease (SCD) care into primary health services across Africa and save millions of affected children from chronic pain, disability and preventable death. The project team consists of African and American professionals with expertise in SCD, global health, public health, health education, implementation science, health cost analysis, project management, monitoring and evaluation, public relations, marketing and philanthropy. 

Texas Children’s Global and its affiliated Baylor Children’s Foundations in Africa, in partnership with Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), are mobilizing relevant stakeholders, particularly Ministries of Health and pharmaceutical companies; training health workers; and stimulating or supplementing critical SCD supplies to spur widespread access to SCD care. The organization has already trained 35 of the first African specialists in SCD care and mobilized complementary resources, including affordable business pricing for pharmaceuticals. 

In a recent press release, Texas Children’s Hospital stated, “We are overjoyed that our organization was recognized as one of these five transformative teams that have the potential to drive meaningful and lasting change on a global scale.”  

All finalists will receive additional resources and support as they refine their proposals in the coming months. The final award recipient will be selected by MacArthur’s Board of Directors and announced later this year. 

“Now is the time to dream big, collaborate deeply and develop new solutions to change the world,” MacArthur President John Palfrey said in a recent press release. “Our 100&Change Finalists want to scale ambitious ideas that will help millions of people. Today, we hope the sector finds inspiration in these important projects and joins us in celebrating this milestone in the competition.” 

Additional information about 100&Change and the Texas Children’s Hospital’s project is available online.