The MAYDAY Fund's main emphasis is on the alleviation of human physical pain via thematic grant-making targets, which evolve and change over time. MAYDAY has funded single-year projects as well as multi-year grants. Projects span the spectrum from bench science to education to professional practice. They address the role of patients, as well as that of professionals, rights, as well as responsibilities, and often crosscut our grant-making targets.
Recognizing the diverse nature of pain throughout all stages of life, MAYDAY supports projects affecting groups from infancy to old age. Historically, pain in non-verbal populations has also been specifically targeted and the Trustees remain cognizant of the challenges presented by this population across all project categories.
Many of the Fund's grants support interdisciplinary professional collaboration. They support projects intended to augment evidence that pain is diagnosable and treatable. Grantees are expected to be able to provide credible evidence of measurable impact as a result of our funding.
To date, The MAYDAY Fund has made 327 discrete grants representing a total value of $22.4 million. More information about previous awardees can be seen at https://www.maydayfund.org/grants/
The MAYDAY Fund's current grant-making targets are projects to address the following needs:
Grants are made only to public charities and educational institutions officially recognized as such by the IRS. The MAYDAY Fund concentrates its activities in the United States. On occasion, grants have been made to Canadian organizations when the project has an effect that reaches beyond Canada. Grants cannot be made to individuals.
Preliminary applications are accepted online through an inquiry form on the funder's website at any time throughout the year. The Trustees meet 3 times per year to review letters. When they are interested in a project, they ask for a proposal, which is then sent for peer review. They often invite proposers to meet with the Trustees to discuss the project.
Award amounts vary based on project size and scope. When appropriate, MAYDAY contributes an indirect costs allowance of 10 percent.