American Century Investments
Investing & Breakthrough Medical Research: A Shared Connection
American Century Investments
What do a money manager and biomedical research have in common? One founder’s vision and an unwavering purpose.
In 1958, Jim Stowers Jr. founded American Century Investments to help people improve their financial health. The small company he started has grown into a leading global asset management firm, serving individual investors, financial intermediaries and global institutions.
In 1994, following his family’s personal experiences with cancer, Jim and his wife Virginia established and then bestowed much of their personal wealth to the Stowers Institute. They wanted to create an environment for scientists to focus on research and not spend valuable time seeking external funding.
“This is a fundamental principle that will make the Stowers Institute different. The Institute will attract the very best scientists because of the uninterrupted financial support.”
Jim E. Stowers Jr.
Founder of American Century Investments and the Stowers Institute for Medical Research
An Enduring Connection
As one of the largest examples of individual generosity in American history, Jim and Virginia gifted the Institute over $1 billion in American Century stock in 2001. Since then, over 40% of American Century Investments' profits, received as dividends, directly support the Stowers Institute. These payments, totaling almost $2 billion since 2000, ensure the Stowers Institute is self-sustaining.
Today, the President and Chief Executive Officer of American Century Investments, Jonathan Thomas, and Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer of the Stowers Institute, Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado, serve on the board of directors for both organizations and carry forward the Stowers’ family values and cultures into the future, sharing many of the same virtues and goals. Other members of the Stowers Institute’s leadership also serve on the American Century Board of Directors, further aligning the governance of the two organizations.
A Visionary Model
The unique relationship between American Century Investments and the Stowers Institute provides our scientists the freedom to ask big questions.
A Powerful Bond
The relationship between American Century and the Stowers Institute is intentionally symbiotic. The income-generating for-profit activities of American Century Investments ensure ongoing support of the Stowers Institute’s research and allow Stowers researchers to ask big questions.
In return, American Century benefits from the stability provided by nonprofit ownership as well as the market differentiation that comes from profits being used for charitable purposes. Also, this remarkable relationship serves as a great source of pride and inspiration for American Century employees and Stowers members and makes them uniquely motivated to give back to their communities.
Together, we are a powerful force for good.
Where golf makes an impact
American Century Championship Celebrity Golf Tournament
The American Century Championship is a premier golf tournament where giving back is the focus. As title sponsor, American Century Investments understands their commitment to clients’ financial futures and also their responsibility to do good.
The Stowers Institute has been the primary beneficiary of the funds raised in this nationally televised championship event.
