Impact & Partnerships
Partner Projects
The Hummingbird Funds intends to serve as an accelerator for innovation in ALS research, advocacy and overall functional support, via stable and sustainable partnerships, that are patient/family centric and kind.
Duke/UVA QIP
More information to come!
ALS DART Clinic At UVA Health
Recent projects at the Richard R Dart ALS Clinic include a partnership that created a patient/family advisory council (which meets monthly) and an updated patient/family guide for ALS care.
ALS Association, MD/DC/VA Chapter
The Hummingbird Fund funded a local expansion of the ALS Association’s modular ramp program to make homes of ALS patients in our region wheelchair accessible.
I AM ALS
I AM ALS is an advocacy organization that has a finger on the pulse of focused actions you can take to advocate for ALS patients and their families. We partner with and provided funding to I AM ALS to accelerate our shared interests and initiatives.
Duke University ALS Reversals Trial
The Hummingbird Fund has partnered with Duke University researcher Richard Bedlack, MD PhD, to support a new ALS Reverals clinical trial that launched in early 2024.
How the Fund Is Managed
The fund will be housed within the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, a 501(c)3 that provides oversight, assures that the fund abides by all of the legal and ethical and accounting standards of a charitable fund, and supports the necessary accounting and reporting functions. The Hummingbird Fund is designated as a ‘committee advised’ fund, meaning that the Plews-Ogan family and the Hummingbird advisory committee will be deciding how the funds are distributed, through a granting process.
How Funding is Allocated
The Hummingbird Fund accepts applications for grants on an invitation-only basis. Email us to learn more.
Organizations We Support
I AM ALS
Duke ALS Reverals Clinical Trial
The Hummingbird Fund has partnered with and provided funding to Duke researcher Richard Bedlack, M.D. Ph.D to support a new ALS Reverals clinical trial that launched in 2024.
ALS Association, MD/DC/VA Chapter
The Chapter focuses primarily on providing services and support to those currently living with the disease and their families.
UVA Health Richard R. Dart ALS Clinic
The Richard R Dart ALS Clinic at the University of Virginia Health System began in 1999 as the first multidisciplinary clinic in Virginia.