We informally started in 2017. We were developing interventions for “superbugs” and related infections. Our goal is to address knowledge gaps.
Separately, we were collecting data on the SARS virus (today, COVID-19 is related). It first appeared in the early 2000s. And it re-emerged a few years later. In fact, there has been vaccines developed for it.
More, experts working on it said that it was serious. And that it’s had the potential of becoming a pandemic. Thus in November, 2019 when SARS broke out again, we were alarmed. This time, it was in a large population center. And it was spreading fast. In fact, much faster than previous outbreaks.
Took Action
On November 27, 2019 our Board took action. They voted to launch the nonprofit immediately. And this was to directly respond to the virus.
Originally our launch date was slated for summer, 2020. But the Board saw this immediate and pressing issue. It requires immediate and swift action.
On December 14, 2019 the task of raising funds was done. We then began the process of incorporating on December 23, 2019 in the state of Delaware as a nonprofit organization.
We also applied for nonprofit 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). But we did not apply for emergency approval from them. But our request was processed in their Cleveland, Ohio office. All emergency approvals are processed there.
On January 23, 2020 the IRS approved our nonprofit status. More, only two days earlier the first case of the virus was found in the United States.
Thus, we are the first nonprofit to launch to directly take on the virus. But our mandate allows us to work on a broad range of public health issues in the future. And it is not fixed to one issue.
Future Work
Later in the year, we will put a spotlight on the need for long-term research. And one of our key goals is to prevent the next pandemic. In the future we will be fundraising to support it, too.