Projects
We don’t just fund ideas, we build them.
We incubate projects internally to prove concepts, de-risk execution, and spin them out as independent, high-impact organizations.
Future of Cancer Care Today
Future of Cancer Care Today is a pilot initiative of the Sijbrandij Foundation, led by Poornima Parameswaran, exploring how to support patients navigating complex cancer treatment decisions. Informed by lessons from Sid Sijbrandij’s cancer journey and from the experiences of other patients and families, the initiative addresses a gap in modern cancer care: advances in science are expanding treatment possibilities, but the systems that help patients make sense of those possibilities have not kept pace. We are piloting approaches to help patients organize information, understand options, and engage more effectively with their care teams.
Data Center Energy
AI progress and safety both depend on abundant energy, yet today’s default, gas-powered data centers, is costly and short-sighted. Led by Aric Li, We’re building the playbook for solar-powered data centers to unlock faster growth, lower costs and energy independence. By proving the model in practice, we will set the new industry standard.
100x Impact
100× Impact is an initiative to set a new standard for philanthropic giving. We help funders apply practical, pre-grant analysis and outcome-based decision-making to ensure every dollar achieves outsized impact. By combining rigorous tools with peer learning and social proof, we aim to shift how philanthropic capital is deployed at scale.
GM Accelerator
In collaboration with Renaissance Philanthropy, the General Manager (“GM”) Accelerator backs exceptional leaders tackling important, underexplored problems. We support early work that can sharpen a thesis, map a field, recruit key talent, and unlock larger follow-on funding. Like the rest of our grantmaking, we focus on opportunities where early capital and strong leadership can produce outsized social returns.
Big Art
People want to live in beautiful, inspiring and joyful places. Big Art attracts people to cities, and where the people are, jobs and community investments follow.
Long admirers of larger-than-life sculptural art, Sid and Karen Sijbrandij have witnessed how public Big Art can invigorate communities by founding artist in residencies in Uganda, Zambia and Grand Bahama. Big Art describes sculptures that are larger than humans, typically over 10 feet (3 meters) in height or width.
In 2024, the Sijbrandij Foundation took an unconventional approach to revitalizing San Francisco and launched its Big Art Loop initiative to support public art along a cohesive trail around the city. With ongoing collaborations and projects planned for 2026, the foundation is actively working to enhance San Francisco’s shared spaces in ways that reflect its diverse and vibrant culture.
Launched in 2025 by the Sijbrandij Foundation, the Artist in Residence Grand Bahama (AIR GB) program brings Big Art to the island as part of its long-term revitalization. In its first cohort, Launa Eddy led the design of the landmark sculpture Theater of the Horizon with a local volunteer team including Menyelek Smith, Jacki Boss, Maquelle Monroe, and Sheldon Saint. Together, they mark the beginning of an ongoing effort to populate Grand Bahama with large-scale sculptures that inspire community engagement and economic renewal.
