What is the Frontiers Fund?
The Frontiers Fund is the name of the ACCP Research
Institute’s development campaign. Created in 2003, the fund
has successfully raised and awarded more than $1 million
in grants and program funding. The Frontiers Fund is the
mechanism by which the Research Institute, a section 501(c)
(3) nonprofit organization, is able to meet its strategic goals. A
gift to the Frontiers Fund is the mechanism by which donors
show support of the research agenda of ACCP.
What are the Research Institute’s overall goals?
- To conceive and drive the research agenda of ACCP.
- To help develop the next generation of clinical pharmacy
researchers. The New Focused Investigator Training
Program for experienced researchers and the New
Research and Scholarship Academy Programs, which
will roll out at the 2008 Annual Meeting, are directed at
these goals.
- To help position clinical pharmacist principal
investigators so they can generate a substantial portion of
the research that guides drug therapy in this country and
so they can compete successfully with other health care
professionals for research funding.
- To create a sustainable national clinical pharmacy
practice-based research network (PBRN).
What is new about the Research Institute?
The 2008–2009 Frontiers Fund Campaign launches a new
beginning for the Research Institute. Whether you are a
new graduate, clinical practitioner, pharmacy educator, or
researcher, the ACCP Research Institute can help you realize
your professional development goals.
Frontiers Fund donations in 2008–2009 will support
new programs for clinical pharmacists to enhance their
scholarship and professional growth.
What will the Frontiers Fund monies support in 2009?
The 2008–2009 Frontiers Fund Campaign launches a new
beginning for the Research Institute. Whether you are a
new graduate, clinical practitioner, pharmacy educator,
or researcher, the ACCP Research Institute can help you
realize your professional development goals. Frontiers Fund
donations in 2008–2009 will support programs for clinical
pharmacists to enhance their scholarship and professional
growth.
- Focused Investigator Training (FIT) Program
- National Clinical Pharmacy Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) Start-up
Will the Frontiers Fund continue to support
investigator development grants, fellowships,
traineeships, and mini-sabbaticals in 2009?
The ACCP Research Institute is continuing our commitment
to excellence and rigor in education and research while
expanding the impact of clinical pharmacy professionals
across the entire health care spectrum. We are expanding our
mission from a grant funder to a research agenda facilitator.
Because of the educational and research participation
opportunities available from ACCP, there is an expansion in
the number of members who will directly benefit on an annual
basis from the Frontiers Fund. Benefits of this transition are
as follows:
- Through a commitment to clinical excellence and a
dedication to scientific rigor, we are maintaining our
promise to the profession.
- Through our FIT Program and other initiatives, we are
training the preeminent clinical pharmacy researchers of
today and tomorrow to help them secure leadership-level
funding for their work.
- Through the PBRN, we are creating opportunities for
more qualified clinical pharmacy professionals to have a
greater impact on the research discovery process.
What is the impact of the Frontiers Fund to date?
The Frontiers Fund has allowed ACCP to significantly
expand the scope of support it provides to clinical,
translational, and health services (practice) research. It has
allowed ACCP to significantly enhance its emphasis on
investigator development. Through its Frontiers Fund Career
Development Research Awards, the ACCP Research Institute
is especially interested in supporting the career development
of clinical pharmacy researchers and the creation of
a national PBRN.
Did the Frontiers Fund recently pass the $1 million mark
in donations received?
Yes! Everyone involved with the ACCP Research Institute
and the Frontiers Fund is extremely appreciative of the
generous contributions already made by many ACCP
members and the PRNs. The ACCP Research Institute would
like to thank those who donated to the Frontiers Fund in 2007
to reach this important milestone.
What has the Frontiers Fund accomplished to date?
We rely heavily on donations to continue our mission of
providing funding for basic science and clinical pharmacy
services research projects and professional development
programs. The Frontiers Fund was launched in 2003 with
the theme Invest Today to Expand Pharmacy’s Frontiers. In
just 5 years, gifts to the Frontiers Fund by ACCP members,
the PRNs, and others have allowed the Research Institute
to support new clinical, translational, and health services
research studies with total budgets of more than $1 million.
Research has been completed that would not otherwise have
been possible.
Why is research important to clinical pharmacy and
ACCP members?
These are direct quotes from ACCP members participating in
a recent survey:
- “The money goes back to ACCP members; if we want to truly promote a research agenda, these contributions are a
great way to do so.”
- “To help further the research base of clinical pharmacy,
especially documenting the value of our clinical
pharmacy services.”
- “Support of scholarship among College members, both
new and senior investigators. Also, advancement of
clinical pharmacy as an evidence-based discipline.”
- “We are members of a personally and financially
rewarding health care profession. It should be part of
one’s professional commitment to support scholarly and
research activities that not only benefit our professional
interests, but also improve the life and health of our
patients.”
What are Frontiers Fund goals for 2008–2009?
Our first goal is to raise at least $260,000 in 2008–2009.
Help is needed now, as the gifts received in 2008 will support
the new research programs to be funded in 2008–2009. Our
second goal is to increase the percentage of members who
donate from 5.8% to 10%.
In 2006, 618 contributors donated a total of $91,101.
The average individual donation was $174. In 2007, 513
contributors donated a total of $104,118. The average
individual donation was $196. As the pie chart below
indicates, the majority of contributors 65%, contributed less
than $100 to the Frontiers Fund. Approximately 5.8% of
ACCP members contributed to the Frontiers Fund in 2007.
Every gift is important every year! ACCP currently has
almost 10,000 members. Last year, the average gift to the
Frontiers Fund by individual ACCP members was $196. If
each of our 10,000 members donated even $50, it would
total $500,000! Just imagine what could be accomplished if
each gave $100 or $200? This is a perfect example of how
much we can accomplish if we pool our resources and work
together.
How much of my donation goes to
administrative overhead costs?
Only 15% of the monies raised are allocated to administrative
support. This is consistent with, or less than, the costs of
similar national fundraising efforts, and it means that 85%
of all donations are used to support new clinical pharmacy
research.
I gave last year. Why is annual
support critical for success?
Even though you may have invested in the Frontiers Fund last
year, it is critically important that we all do so again this year,
that we make this an annual occurrence, and that we increase
the size of our gift, if possible.
- Contributions made to the Frontiers Fund of ACCP,
which is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)
(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, are deductible for
computing income and estate taxes.
- Show your support of education and research by
making an annual gift to the Frontiers Fund, donating in
memory of a loved one, giving in honor of a survivor, or
commemorating your own award.
My PRN gave to the Frontiers Fund last year.
How much is donated by the PRNs?
During the past 5 years, the PRNs have been a major source
of revenue for the Frontiers Fund. The following gifts and
pledges have been made by the various PRNs:
- PRN combined contributions 2007 $26,333
- PRN combined contributions 2006 $41,541
- PRN combined contributions 2005 $27,570
- PRN combined contributions 2004 $33,339
- PRN combined contributions 2003 $31,550
Without your generous support, the ACCP Research Institute
would not be able to provide grants and professional
development to our members. These gifts are much
appreciated, and they have been an important part of the
Frontiers Fund’s success. In fact, it would be wonderful if the
PRN as a whole could consider a gift for 2008!
Nevertheless, it is critical that individual members provide
their personal support as well. Without it, we cannot be
successful in achieving our goal of supporting and expanding
ACCP member-driven clinical and health services research.
Who makes the decision about the
use of Frontiers Fund monies?
The Research Institute Board of Trustees (BOT) sets the
overall funding priorities. The Trustees, elected by ACCP
members, serve a 3-year term. In addition, appointed BOT
members serve on the Board for terms of 2 years.
How can I contribute to the Frontiers Fund?
Donations can be accepted in many ways. Click on the link to
take you to the donor page, www.accpri.com/frontiers.