Nonprofit finds niche in handing out grant awards

Published in the June 26, 2013 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Marty Cheek

Marilyn Librers

Marilyn Librers

When Morgan Hill rancher Alphonse Pauchon died in 1999, his will stipulated that most of his estate be used to fund research in science, medicine and business. Nine years later, the Pauchon Foundation was established to fulfill his wishes. The nonprofit organization found its focus on funding researchers throughout the globe who are working to make the world a better place for all. Some grant awards can be as much as $10,000, depending on the scope of the project.

Soon after the Pauchon Foundation’s start, Marilyn Librers was hired as the executive director to oversee operations. A board of directors was also formed which now consists of local residents Bradley Leach, Edward Taylor, Bob Chidester and Dave Conragan. When she’s not overseeing daily operations of the research grant foundation, Librers serves as a member of the Morgan Hill City Council. She also volunteers for several nonprofit organizations such as Community Law Enforcement Foundation (CLEF) as co-chair of the Cops and Robbers Ball fundraiser as well as working with the Sister City International and its volunteers in Morgan Hill.
Librers shared with us recently how the Morgan Hill-based Pauchon Foundation is positively impacting science and medicine.

The Pauchon Foundation’s reputation is growing in the world of research grants. What makes it unique compared to other funding groups?

There are a lot of people who fund research. However, we look for projects that help mankind worldwide. It’s a unique challenge. I find a lot of great ideas when I’m searching for research projects on websites and in scientific magazines as well as conferences I attend.

Describe what kind of funds you give through the Pauchon Foundation.

We give what’s called “unrestricted funds.” A lot of organizations give funds that are very restrictive about how researchers and scientists can use the money. We’ve found that researchers have lots of money to do their work, but they don’t have money for basic needs. Some of the things we’ve given funding for include an underwater camera, a 3-D lab microscope, and also a 3-D laptop computer for field work. Those are the kinds of things that are not funded usually by large government and corporate grants. So we fill a unique niche. Our only restriction is that our funds can’t be used for salaries or for travel.

And what specific projects have you funded?

In 2010, we funded a nonprofit in Oxford, England. The researcher, Dr. Josh Silver, developed a system for self-adjusting eyeglasses for people in third-world countries. These glasses, which let users change the focus adjusting liquid in the lens with a small gear on each of the arms, are very unattractive, but they cost less than $20 a pair. There might be a man in Africa, for example, who is supporting his family as a tailor. As he ages, like we all do, his eyesight starts to fail. Without glasses, his livelihood will start to fail. We helped Dr. Silver develop his nonprofit by providing the seed money to start it. And after he started his nonprofit, he was able to go out and get bigger grants.

Any other Pauchon Foundation grants that you also feel proud of?

Just last April, we gave our first U.S. grant. It was awarded to Professor Steven Garrett at Pennsylvania State University. What he has done is invent a heating system that uses audio waves – a thermoacoustic kettle co-generator. He brings up the audio – or sound waves – so high that it actually produces heat that can then be used in cooking food on stoves where electricity and gas are not readily available.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Finding people to give the money to. But last October, I was given the opportunity to attend the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Advancing Technology for Humanity Conference in Seattle. Through that, I made a lot of connections. It was like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. In years before, I spent a lot of time, looking, looking, looking. I found a lot of great ideas, but they were not necessarily going to better mankind. Now, I actually can say I have a global network.

The Pauchon Foundation is also very involved with encouraging Morgan Hill school students to explore science. Tell us about that.

About four years ago, we were invited to be judges at the Santa Clara County Synopsis Science Fair at the San Jose Convention Center. We saw that there was so little student representation from South County. And I thought, ‘I know we have smart students down there, why aren’t they applying?’ So I started checking out science fairs through the school district, and discovered we really don’t have them. I went to my board and made a proposal to organize a science fair. The board members said, ‘Let’s do it.’ The first was three years ago where we partnered with the city of Morgan Hill for its Earth Day event. We had about 18 participants. Last year, we held it at Britton School – and we had up to 75 participants. This year, we held it at Oakwood School. We had 118 participants and 87 projects submitted – so we’ve just grown in leaps and bounds. The students are learning while having a good time.

Why do you encourage students to explore science pursuits?

We believe strongly that an interest in science has to begin at a young age, and that we have to spark that interest. Unfortunately, with budget cuts in public schools, and even private schools, science is going by the wayside. The competitive edge of a science fair project is very good. Kids learn how to write papers, and put a project board together and talk to a judge who will ask them, ‘Did you do this project or did your dad?’

It sounds like you have a real passion for your job.

I find it fascinating, and I find it heart-warming. Giving back to the world and helping people is very important to me. I can honestly say I’ve found my niche here at the Pauchon Foundation by helping to fund science research. I absolutely love the fact that we’re contributing to the betterment of mankind.