#MeetTheNeed – How Life Science Cares mobilized its industry to support communities in need

General Atlantic recently launched #MeetTheNeed, an initiative to collect and share the inspiring stories of the entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations making a positive impact around the world. We’re amazed at the ways our portfolio companies and the broader GA network have mobilized in response to COVID-19. Our teams around the globe are donating to these efforts, and the GA Foundation is amplifying this giving by matching employee donations.

From Rob Perez, Operating Partner in our New York office, Founder & Chairman of Life Science Cares

When Rob Perez looked at the life sciences sector, he thought about how the resources, networks and expertise in his sector might come together to support healthcare providers and at-risk communities in the midst of the current pandemic.

Rob, an Operating Partner on the Life Sciences team at General Atlantic, initially founded Life Science Cares to unite human and financial resources to combat poverty in the Boston and Philadelphia areas. Today, the organization works with over 30 non-profit partners and almost 200 companies to support efforts including hunger and homelessness, education and economic sustainability.

Rob and his team at Life Science Cares saw that COVID-19 would have a devastating impact on many communities. They also recognized their ability to tap into their network’s resources to make a meaningful difference. 

The team quickly mobilized three initiatives to support those in need.

First, Life Science Cares established a fund to support non-profits supporting the emerging and shifting needs of individuals who have been among the most impacted. The organization has raised over $1.5 million thus far and is providing grants to more than a dozen nonprofit partners. 

Those donations have supported organizations like Boston Health Care for the Homeless, the leading organization focused on Boston’s homeless population. With Life Science Cares’ support, they stood up testing centers and are providing temporary housing for those who are infected but not sick enough to be hospitalized.

Life Science Cares has also supported Tech Goes Home, a non-profit that brings web access and technology to those who would be otherwise cut off from vital resources during this time. Their team is helping at-risk populations stay informed and connected to critical services like unemployment benefits.

The second initiative tapped into the deep resources of the life sciences industry to deploy volunteers at hospitals across the community. Life Science Cares launched a database for medical centers, identifying physicians, nurses, lab workers and other invaluable staff willing to pitch in and help at overwhelmed hospitals.

Finally, the organization launched a platform to enable the industry to volunteer virtually while sheltering in place.  Their network has provided valuable resources, including fulfilling Amazon shopping lists for those in needs. 

To learn more, visit www.lifesciencecares.org.

Stay tuned for future stories from #MeetTheNeed in the coming weeks.

Read our first article on XP Investimento’s efforts in Brazil here.