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 in March 2022, the Parasol Foundation Centre for Women’s Health and Cancer Research is based at Hammersmith and St Mary’s hospitals in north west London.

The research centre, created in partnership with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial Health Charity, will focus on research to develop advanced treatments for women’s cancers, such as ovarian cancer, and explore the health impacts of pre-term birth.

Imperial College Healthcare provides exceptional care and treatment for the communities it serves, and is at the forefront of pioneering clinical research in a wide range of specialist fields. We’re proud to be funding this new London centre with a donation of £2.25mn.

The centre will open up a brand new care pathway for women with gynaecological cancers underpinned by the latest research and treatments. Our donation is enabling Imperial College Healthcare to purchase innovative surgical equipment and award three fellowships for women to lead research in the field. Three additional grants will also be awarded to help Imperial College Healthcare continue its world-leading research in the field of pre-term birth, exploring approaches to reduce the likelihood of premature labour and improve outcomes for women who may be at risk.

The Parasol Foundation Centre for Women’s Health and Cancer Research underlines our long-term commitment to improving women’s health and creating opportunities for women to break down barriers and excel in the fields of science, medicine and research.

As well as the awards programme for women, we’re initiating a research project investigating the impact of gender on career progression for female academics in science and healthcare. We’re planning for the findings to be widely shared to stimulate debate and change.

Press Release

Imperial Health Charity - Centre for women's health

Imperial Health Charity - New women's health research centre

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust - New research centre

Parasol Foundation Centre for Women’s Health and Cancer Research at Imperial College Healthcare

Launched in August 2022 in response to the devastating situation in Ukraine, our program with Reichman University is creating opportunities for exceptional women to continue their STEM studies in Israel.

The Parasol Foundation Scholarship program for Ukrainian Women at Reichman University offers fully paid STEM scholarships for women from the war-torn regions of Ukraine who can no longer attend university in Ukraine.

We’re funding four talented young women through their undergraduate STEM studies with a donation of $365,000 to help them pursue their dreams and achieve their potential. The female students are joining a growing network of Parasol Foundation students stretching across Israel, the US, UK and Gibraltar.

Reichman University will nurture and support the Parasol Foundation Scholars throughout their degrees to ensure they flourish and succeed in their studies.

The Parasol Foundation Scholarship Program is the first of its kind at Reichman University, providing full scholarships to those whose lives have been disrupted by war. The Program is led by Jonathan Davis, Vice President of External Relations and Head of the Raphael Recanati International School.

Reichman University was founded in 1994 by Prof. Uriel Reichman to train the future leadership of the State of Israel. Reichman University students are educated in light of the motto "Freedom and Responsibility," and alongside the emphasis placed on excellence in research and teaching, prominence is given to social responsibility and community involvement. Since its inception, about 34,000 graduates have earned their degrees from Reichman University.

Reichman University

Parasol Foundation Scholarship Program for Ukrainian Women at Reichman University

The Parasol Foundation Trust is donating £1.5mn to the new Gibraltar National Theatre and Cultural Hub development at the John Mackintosh Hall.

Announced at a special dinner to celebrate Ruth Parasol’s 18th anniversary in Gibraltar, our significant new donation to the community is the latest in a long line of local initiatives supported by the Parasol Foundation. Beginning with the renovation of the Mediterranean steps more than a decade ago, the Foundation has gone on to help support the University of Gibraltar, The Gibraltar Academy of Music and Performing Arts, mammography unit at GHA and many other local initiatives.

By supporting the National Theatre and Cultural Hub – now in the detailed design stage - we’re hoping to help nurture the gifts of the whole community as well as attracting talent to Gibraltar.

Our donation helps kick-start major funding for the the theatre’s development and The Parasol Foundation Art Gallery will be established as a bespoke area to showcase art and collections for everyone in in Gibraltar to enjoy. We’ll also fund a new female led initiative as part of the project’s next phase.

Once complete, the new theatre and cultural hub will also house a new lending library, 1000 seat theatre and smaller 250 seat studio theatre.

The announcement of the Parasol Foundation’s donation was warmly welcomed by the Gibraltar government and the Governor of Gibraltar, Vice Admiral Sir David Steel.

Parasol Foundation’s £1.5m donation is ‘rocket boost’ to National Theatre project

GBC - Gibraltar News - GBC TV and Radio Gibraltar

Gibraltar National Theatre Foundation thanks Parasol Foundation - Gibraltar Cultural Services

Parasol Foundation supports new Gibraltar National Theatre and female led initiative

The Parasol Foundation, together with SpaceIL, has launched an exciting Space and Astro science program to create new opportunities and empower women in the space industry. The Parasol Foundation Women in SpaceIL program will dedicate scholarships to female engineering students and graduates with a donation of $500,000.

In addition, we’re contributing $1,530,000 and joining the distinguished group of donors to the Beresheet2 2024 moon mission. The new mission will build on SpaceIL’s Beresheet1 2019 launch which was the first private entity to reach the moon and secured Israel’s position as the seventh country to reach the moon.

Established in 2011, SpaceIL passionately believes in inspiration through action. With their ground-breaking projects in deep space, they seek to inspire Israel’s future generation and encourage teenagers to think in the direction of science, engineering, and entrepreneurship.

SpaceIL’s goal is to introduce the younger generation to the exciting opportunities that arise from the courage to dream and the determination to make that dream a reality. 

Detailed information for female engineers and scientists on the Parasol Women in SpaceIL fellowships is available on the 

To create a lasting legacy, we’re also initiating a study project analysing the gender gap in space research and engineering in Israel. The findings of the study will be published widely to encourage international progress.

This pioneering STEM project is an integral part of Ruth Parasol and the Parasol Foundation’s wider effort of empowering next generation females to study STEM and choose careers in space, along with other fields of science, technology, and health.

Announcement - Parasol - SpaceIL

SpaceIL Program

CTECH - Program to boost women in space industry

Parasol Foundation Women in SpaceIL

Launched in September 2021, The Parasol Foundation Women in Photography Project at the V&A is a major new programme to support women in photography.  

We’re celebrating the achievement of women photographers, opening up empowering opportunities and aiming to inspire future generations of talented females.  One of our largest projects since the Trust was established, the £3mn donation included a personal donation from Ruth underscoring her commitment to promoting women behind and in front of the camera.  

Fiona Rogers became the inaugural Parasol Foundation Curator of Women in Photography in March and will take the lead on new acquisitions, research, education and public displays at the V&A helping the Foundation to celebrate the achievements of women, nurture contemporary artists and inspire the next generation of women photographers to fully express their creativity. 

With a strong focus on digital art and social media, we’re aiming to open up participation, encourage women photographers to achieve their potential and connect with the widest possible international audience.

A new, dedicated Instagram account has been launched by Fiona and the V&A to highlight works by women artists and is already showcasing extraordinary new talent as well as highlighting the role women have played through the history of photography.

You can enjoy on the Parasol Foundation Women in Photography Project on Instagram by following 

 Gallery 97 at the V&A – part of the V&A Photography Centre Phase Two development – will be named The Parasol Foundation Gallery and we hope to see you there once it is ready to welcome visitors.

V&A Press Release

V&A Blog

FAD Magazine

Instagram

The Parasol Foundation Women in Photography Project at The V&A, London

Recognising the power of enterprise to create opportunity, we’ve invested in our first social impact venture through The Parasol Foundation Trust’s new investment arm, Parasol Social Ventures Limited. The investment in STELAR, a modern artisan goods venture, aligns with our ethos of assisting and promoting organisations and businesses led by female founders with a significant female workforce.

Founded by Lorna Watson, STELAR works directly with artisans in Bali to create unique hand woven and hand-crafted accessories. Working in close collaboration, STELAR is re-imagining indigenous skills that have been passed from generation to generation to create long term positive impact and sustainable livelihoods within the communities that most rely on them. 

Traceability is at the heart of what STELAR does. Every hand-crafted item is accompanied by a unique digital code, connecting you to the origins of your bag and the artisan who created it.

With stockists including Selfridges and Fenwicks UK and Lane Crawford in Hong Kong, STELAR featured prominently in Fenwick of Bond Street’s summer window display and we’re excited to see the venture grow and flourish.

Sustainable Handbags Hand-Woven in Bali

 STELAR Our first social venture investment

The Parasol Center for Women's Cancer Research brings together physicians and scientists to focus on how cancer impacts women. This includes both gender-specific cancers (such as breast and ovarian), and other cancers that may affect women differently than men (such as thyroid and lung cancers).

The Center aims to develop a variety of research protocols and clinical trials to develop new approaches to early detection, prevention and individualized treatments that will improve cancer survival for women. 

Integral to the project is an awards programme supporting outstanding women physicians to hold leading clinical positions and carry out independent pioneering clinical research.

The Parasol Center for Women's Cancer is one of the Foundation’s most significant long-term projects. We have donated over $3 million in funding support since it was established in 2016 and continue to support it.

The project builds on our longstanding relationship with the Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center.

Parasol Women's Cancer Research Center (tasmc.org.il)

The Parasol Center for Women’s Cancer Research at Sourasky Medical Center

The Parasol Foundation International LL.M. Program at the Buchman Faculty of Law at Tel-Aviv University was established in 2014.

This 10-month programme attracts exceptionally talented students from across the world and gives them the chance to study for the advanced academic law degree at Israel’s leading law faculty, with some of the world’s renowned professors.

We award a number of scholarships to the most promising and intelligent students in the programme to help create opportunities to participate.

Luiza, 2015-2016 alumni from Brazil, said, “The Parasol Foundation Trust's scholarship allowed me to complete my LL.M. studies with a specialization in technology in one of the most prestigious academic institutions - Tel Aviv University - thus allowing me to pursue my second-degree education in Israel - the Start-up Nation - and to learn with the best professors from all over the world. I am extremely grateful for Parasol Foundation's kind support."

About PFT at TAU

Parasol International LL.M. Program at Tel-Aviv University

The Parasol Foundation has committed almost £1,000,000 to the University of Gibraltar and has supported it since its establishment in 2017.

The Foundation has sponsored the curriculum development programme and contributed towards building The Parasol Library.

We continue to support exceptional students who cannot access higher education for financial reasons from the local area and further afield who are studying their Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Hons) and Masters.

Parasol Library

University Donation from PFT

University of Gibraltar Parasol Foundation Scholars

The Parasol Foundation Trust has partnered with Marin Health Medical Center in Marin County, California since 2013. Most recently we have supported the design, construction and expansion of the hospital.

Marin Health Medical Center was established in 1952 and is the only full-service, acute-care hospital in Marin Country, California. With deep roots in the community, it operates a designated trauma center and offers labor and delivery services, cancer care, paediatric, psychiatric and comprehensive heart care.

MarinHealth Foundation Donors | Hospital in Greenbrae

Marin Health Medical Center

The Parasol Foundation Trust scholarship at Marin Academy, first established in 2011, helps create opportunity by supporting an exceptional, female student to study at the school.

“Receiving The Parasol Foundation Scholarship was a cornerstone of the life that Marin Academy provided me. Not only did the scholarship enable me to achieve my academic aspirations by providing all of my tuition and incidental fees, but it also allowed me an opportunity to explore passions and interests that would not have been available otherwise.” – Kyndelle, 2011-2016 Parasol Foundation Scholarship student at Marin Academy.


For more information

Marin Academy Parasol Foundation Women Scholarship

With our focus on empowering initiatives to help women succeed, we are working with The Prince’s Trust Women Supporting Women Programme. The programme aims to provide the right help to nurture, empower and inspire women to build their own futures through employment, self-employment, education and training.

The Parasol Foundation Trust has previously supported opportunities for over one hundred participants in The Prince’s Trust’s Get Started Programmes which helps young people get back into employment and training.

Major Gifts Princes Trust

The Prince’s Trust Women Supporting Women Programme

The Parasol Foundation Trust’s donation to the Gibraltar Academy of Music and Performing Arts (GAMPA) forms part of our vision to support unique centres of excellence.

GAMPA nurtures young and talented individuals, encourages creativity and inspires aspiring musicians and performers from an early age.

The Foundation’s ongoing support has enabled GAMPA to establish its Development Programme, which offers classes, workshops and courses to students in all areas of music and performing arts. The programme enables gifted, young people the opportunity to harness their talents and develop into avid performers.

Chronicle

Gampa

Gibraltar Academy of Music and Performing Arts

The Parasol Foundation Trust’s collaboration with Atidim underlines our commitment to creating opportunities for exceptionally talented females. Through three programmes, we have sponsored hundreds of extremely intelligent, academically excellent and hand-picked female students to support their growth within the engineering and scientific fields.

Atidim is a non-profit organization that strives to help build a strong Israeli society through harnessing the immense potential of individuals unable to financially support themselves and their families.

The Foundation has collaborated with the Atidim in Industry programme which encourages young adults who have completed their compulsory military or national service in Israel to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and the Sciences, and intern in companies and industries throughout Israel.

We have also worked with the Atidim Take-Off programme and the New Frontiers programme. The Take-Off programme provides highly motivated, lone immigrant soldiers with support when starting their civilian life post-military. The New Frontiers programme is a science and engineering enrichment programme aimed at giving talented female high-school students the support, knowledge and tools to forge a new generation of young women in the field that are so crucial to Israel’s defence, security and economic future.

Takeoff program

Friends of Atidim Parasol Foundation Women STEM Scholarships

The Parasol Foundation has sponsored two excellent and financially in-need female students studying STEM bachelor’s degrees at the University of San Francisco since 2018.

University of San Francisco Parasol Foundation Women STEM Scholarships

The Parasol Foundation Trust is a longstanding supporter of The Britain Israel Research and Academic Exchange Partnership (BIRAX), a £10,000,000 initiative led by the British Embassy in Israel and the British Council.

BIRAX collaborates with several research organizations in Israel and in the UK and provides support to ground-breaking, joint UK-Israel research projects most recently in the field of ageing and previously in regenerative medicine.

We have supported a range of projects including two rounds of funding towards the Regenerative Research Project. Most recently, the Foundation committed additional funding towards BIRAX’s new initiative in the field of ageing with support for a research team of two females from Israel and the UK.

British Council

BIRAX

The Parasol Foundation Trust has collaborated with Cambridge University on a broad range of projects since 2009.

Our support enabled research on Darwin and gender as part of the internationally renowned Darwin Correspondence Project at Cambridge University Library.

The Foundation supported the library in its acquisition of the Lewis-Gibson Genizah Collection and supported a dedicated Genizah Research Associate to investigate the role and place of women in the medieval world of the Cairo Genizah.

Donations have also been made to the work of the Cambridge Trust which provides crucial support for outstanding students.

More recently the Foundation has been a significant benefactor to the Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club (CUWBC), contributing to the development of the first ever joint boathouse for all Cambridge University boat clubs at Ely.

Cambridge Trust

New Graduate Scholarships in STEM subjects

More information on the Cambridge University Boat Club

Cambridge University

The Parasol Foundation Trust has been a long-term partner of Laniado Hospital in Israel and has supported a number of the hospital’s projects since 2008.

Laniado Hospital was founded 30 years ago by a Holocaust survivor on the principle that everyone deserves to be treated, no matter their faith or race. It is a non-profit community hospital and treats over 50,000 patients every year.

Our projects have included support to purchase state-of-the-art equipment for the Maternity Department and the IVF Department, new delivery beds for the Maternity Department and new ultrasound machines, including a 3D machine.

PFT at Laniado

Laniado Hospital Netanya

The Parasol Foundation Trust is creating opportunity through a series of ambitious projects and collaborations. Our projects have an international outlook and seek to make a lasting impact.