# Renaissance Philanthropy ## Basic Info **Name:** Renaissance Philanthropy **What is it:** A philanthropic intermediary organization that designs, incubates, and operates [[DARPA-style setups|time-bound, thesis-driven funds]] to catalyze ambitious investments in science, technology, and innovation. The organization aims to increase the ambition of philanthropists by reducing barriers to science philanthropy and making it easier for donors to support breakthrough ideas that don't fit conventional funding systems. **Location:** Washington, D.C. (United States) **Link:** https://www.renaissancephilanthropy.org/ **Who is involved:** - **CEO/Founder:** [[Tom Kalil]] (former senior science policy official in Clinton and Obama administrations; previously at [[Schmidt Futures]] and [[UC Berkeley]]) - **Founding Donor:** Eric and Wendy Schmidt - **Communities:** 200+ current and former program managers from [[DARPA]], ARIA, ARPA-H, ARPA-E, IARPA; 3,000+ learning science researchers and technologists; 170+ policy entrepreneurs --- ## Entries ### [Pilot City](https://www.pilot.city/) (Pitchfest Program) Pilot City is a Renaissance Philanthropy program that aims to strengthen state capacity by connecting local government agencies with the scientific expertise already present in their communities. Its flagship initiative is Pitchfest, a matchmaking event in which government staff present problem statements and are paired with regional experts, primarily academics, through a speed-dating-style process. Originally piloted in New York City, the program involved 23 city agencies and all local R1 universities. It has generated projects ranging from expanding open streets for neighborhood schools to protecting drinking water from algal growth and mapping lead-containing consumer products.