Nf Forward
ActivePublic CharityDiseases & Disorders
About Nf Forward
NFX drives bold, high-impact research to discover and develop targeted treatments for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). We envision a future where every person with NF1 has access to treatments tailored to their unique experience of the disease.
Focus Areas
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) researchclinical research and trialsgene-targeting therapiesvision loss related to NF
Who They Fund
people with neurofibromatosis (patients)biomedical researchers and clinician-scientistsmedical research institutions and labs
Funding Style
targeted disease-specific research fundingresearch grant support (project-based)biomedical/translational research emphasis
About Nf Forward
Nf Forward concentrates its giving on neurofibromatosis type 1 research, backing work that aims to move from discovery toward targeted treatments and, ultimately, a cure. Through partnership with the Gilbert Family Foundation, the funder directs large project-based awards to biomedical researchers and medical research institutions rather than to individuals. Its recent grants show a strong preference for established research centers and clinical environments, including $3,023,731 to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for neurofibromatosis research and $2,492,685 to Stanford University for the same purpose. The pattern is consistent across years, with repeated support to the same institutions as projects continue to develop. The recent grant list also includes Children's Tumor Foundation, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Washington University, indicating that Nf Forward supports both disease-specific organizations and academic medical centers. The grants are framed around advancing treatment options for people with NF1, with clinical and translational work sitting alongside earlier-stage scientific research. That mix suggests a funder focused on moving research ideas into therapies with direct relevance to a rare genetic disorder.
What Nf Forward Funds
Nf Forward’s work centers on neurofibromatosis type 1 research, but the grants point to several distinct scientific emphases. In disease-specific research, it gave $1,500,000 to Children's Tumor Foundation for support for neurofibromatosis research. Clinical and translational work is also prominent: Stanford University received $1,971,529 in 2024 for support for neurofibromatosis research, reflecting continued investment in a major research program. The portfolio includes laboratory and medical center partners such as University of Alabama at Birmingham, which received $1,184,294 in 2025 for the same purpose. Research tied to broader biomedical infrastructure also appears in the list, including Washington University at $887,596 in 2025. Across these grants, the funding stays tightly aligned to NF1 and the development of treatments.
How Nf Forward Gives
Typical grant size is substantial: the 25th percentile is $477,568, the median is $747,081, and the 75th percentile is $1,500,000. The recent grants show repeat support to the same recipients across multiple years, including Stanford University, Children's Tumor Foundation, Duke University, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, and The Research Institute at Nationwide. That pattern points to ongoing, project-based funding rather than one-off awards. Nf Forward is a public charity and does not fund individuals. Its active programs also indicate that unsolicited applications are not accepted for the research funding programs, with grantmaking coordinated through partnership with the Gilbert Family Foundation.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$24.8M
Total Assets
$10.3M
Total Revenue
$6.9M
Total Expenses
$15.1M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $478K and $1.5M, with a median of $747K.
25th Percentile
$478K
Median
$747K
75th Percentile
$1.5M
Geographic Reach
National7 states funded
About 0% of grants go to recipients in OH.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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