Eli Broad, a philanthropist whose causes included the arts, science and education, died April 30. He was 87.

Andrew McMahon, PhD, director of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, shared the following statement:

It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Eli Broad. Eli and Edythe’s philanthropy in the arts, science and education have been transformative.

Eli approached philanthropy with an investor’s instinct for maximizing his impact and a visionary’s intuition for sensing the next big thing. Eli and Edythe were long-time supporters of medical research in inflammatory bowel disease, which runs in both of their families. Wanting to do more, they first partnered with MIT and Harvard to launch the Broad Institute, then leveraged California’s public funding for stem cell research to create the Broad Stem Cell Centers at UCLA, UC San Francisco and USC. Their generous support laid the foundation for stem cell research at these three major California universities. The continuing investment of The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation has shaped the world-class regenerative medicine programs distinct to each of our institutions.

We will miss Eli, though his legacy continues in the research and teaching programs at the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, as well as in his many other lasting contributions to business and philanthropy.

Our warm wishes extend to Edythe, the Broad family, and all the colleagues at The Broad Foundation who have worked so closely over many years with Eli and Edythe.

Andy McMahon
Director, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC