The Marcus Foundation, established by Home Depot cofounder Bernie Marcus and his wife Billi, donated $28.7 million to the University of Southern California’s Stem Cell Center to advance clinical trials of stem cell therapies for heart attack recovery. The donation, announced this week, is the largest the foundation has given to USC and supports research led by Dr. Chuck Murry, the center’s director, focused on regenerating damaged heart tissue.
Bernie Marcus, who passed away in November 2024, originally aspired to be a doctor before cofounding Home Depot, now valued at $343 billion. The foundation’s gift aims to support gene-edited cellular therapy as a new form of treatment. Jonathan Simons, chief science officer of The Marcus Foundation, said Murry’s team has advanced these therapies to a stage where cells can be used as living medicine. The foundation was created in 1989 and has since funded various medical research initiatives.
This donation comes amid growing interest in regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies for cardiovascular diseases, a leading cause of death globally. The Marcus Foundation’s support underscores the increasing role of private philanthropy in funding cutting-edge medical research. Comparable large-scale donations have accelerated clinical trials and innovation in similar fields, highlighting the importance of such contributions in advancing treatment options.
The $28.7 million gift will fund ongoing and future clinical trials at USC’s Stem Cell Center, aiming to bring gene-edited cellular therapies closer to widespread clinical use. The Marcus Foundation’s investment marks a significant milestone in the foundation’s philanthropic efforts, continuing Bernie Marcus’s legacy by supporting medical research nearly four decades after its establishment.