The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation was founded in 2006 by its namesake benefactors, who were married for more than 60 years. Shurl and Kay believed that they should share the many blessings that life had bestowed upon them, so they started the Curci Foundation to support science-based research, striving for the advancement of a healthy and sustainable future for humans.
Shurl, who passed away in 2013, was a graduate of the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He married Kay, who survives him, in 1952. Shurl had an illustrious career in real estate, and was founder and chairman of Transpacific Development Company (“TDC”). Through TDC, he developed major office and industrial properties totaling more than 10,000,000 square feet of space in California, Arizona and Hawaii, and acquired another 10,000,000 square feet of property across the U.S. He was a true icon of the real estate industry. Kay continues to be actively involved in the Curci Foundation, both by providing guidance and funding, and as a member of the Board of Directors.
Mission
The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation supports science-based research striving for the advancement of a healthy and sustainable future for humans. To carry out its mission, the Curci Foundation will:
- Support scientific research primarily in the areas of
- Neuroscience/brain science
- Regenerative medicine
- Cell Biology including stem cells
- Cancer
- Nanotechnology/nanoscience
- Support basic research addressing fundamental scientific questions that, when answered, will lead to significant advances in medicine or scientific knowledge.
- Direct funds to efforts intended to benefit all or a large portion of humanity rather than specific individuals.
- Remain independent of any political party or religious organization.