The Dana Foundation (formerly the Charles A. Dana Foundation) is a private philanthropic organization based in New York dedicated to the support of grants and outreach in science, health, and education, particularly in the neurosciences. It was a key supporter of the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute and the Dana Centre at the Science Museum in London.
The foundation was founded in 1950 by Charles A. Dana, a legislator and businessman from New York State, and CEO of the Dana Corporation. He presided over the it until 1960, but continued to participate in the foundation until his death in 1975.
The Dana Foundation supports the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives and the European Dana Alliance for the Brain, nonprofit organizations of leading neuroscientists committed to advancing public awareness about the progress and promise of brain research. The Alliances coordinate the annual International Brain Awareness Week campaign in mid-March to unite the efforts of partner organizations worldwide in a celebration of the brain for people of all ages.
From 1997 to 2010 the Dana Foundation operated a specialized publishing house, the Dana Press. It published a series of books, mainly in the neurosciences, and other online and print publications. The Foundation continues to publish articles, primers, and interviews about brain-related topics. They can be found at the organization’s website.
The current chairman of the Dana Foundation is Edward F. Rover.