The Frontiers Fund is the name of the ACCP Research Institute’s development campaign. Created in 2003, the fund has successfully raised and awarded more than $1 million in grants and program funding. The Frontiers Fund is the mechanism by which the Research Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is able to meet the strategic goals of the Research Institute. A gift to the Frontiers Fund is the mechanism by which donors show support of the research agenda of ACCP.

• To conceive and drive the research agenda of ACCP.
• To help develop the next generation of clinical pharmacy researchers. The New Focused Investigator Training Program for experienced researchers and the New Research and Scholarship Academy Programs, which will roll out at the 2008 Annual Meeting, are programs directed at these goals.
• To help position clinical pharmacist principal investigators so they can generate a substantial portion of the research that guides drug therapy in this country and so they can compete successfully with other health professionals for research funding.
• To create a sustainable national clinical pharmacy practice-based research network (PBRN).

The 2008 Frontiers Fund Campaign launches a new beginning for the Research Institute. Whether you are a new graduate, clinical practitioner, pharmacy educator, or researcher, the ACCP Research Institute can help you realize your professional development goals.

Frontiers Fund donations in 2008 will support new programs for clinical pharmacists to enhance their scholarship and professional growth.

The 2008 Frontiers Fund Campaign launches a new beginning for the Research Institute. Whether you are a new graduate, clinical practitioner, pharmacy educator, or researcher, the ACCP Research Institute can help you realize your professional development goals. Frontiers Fund donations in 2008 will support new programs for clinical pharmacists to enhance their scholarship and professional growth.

2008 New Programs

• Focused Investigator Training (FIT) Program
• National Clinical Pharmacy Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) Start-up

The ACCP Research Institute is continuing our commitment to excellence and rigor in education and research, while expanding the impact of clinical pharmacy professionals across the entire health care spectrum. We are expanding our mission from a grant funder to a research agenda facilitator. Through the educational and research participation opportunities available from ACCP there is an expansion in the number of members who will directly benefit on an annual basis from the Frontiers Fund. Benefits of this transition are:

• We’re maintaining our promise to the profession: A commitment to clinical excellence and a dedication to scientific rigor.
• Through our F.I.T. program and other initiatives, we’re training the pre-eminent clinical pharmacy researchers of today and tomorrow to help them secure leadership level funding for their important work.
• We’re creating opportunities for more qualified clinical pharmacy professionals to have a greater impact on the research discovery process through the PBRN.

The Frontiers Fund has allowed ACCP to significantly expand the scope of support it provides to clinical, translational, and health services (practice) research. It has allowed ACCP to significantly enhance its emphasis on investigator development. Through its Frontiers Fund Career Development Research Awards, the ACCP Research Institute is especially interested in supporting:

• Clinical and translational research that extends beyond areas funded by existing ACCP grants;
• Much needed health services research to document the impact of clinical pharmacy services on patient care; and
• The career development of clinical pharmacy researchers.

Yes! Everyone involved with the ACCP Research Institute and the Frontiers Fund is extremely appreciative of the generous contributions already made by many ACCP members and the PRNs. The ACCP Research Institute would like to thank those who have donated to the Frontiers Fund in 2007 to reach this important milestone of more than $1 million.

We rely heavily on donations to continue our mission of providing funding for basic science and clinical pharmacy services research projects and professional development programs. The Frontiers Fund was launched in 2003 with the theme Invest Today to Expand Pharmacy’s Frontiers. In just 5 years, gifts to the Frontiers Fund by ACCP members, the PRNs, and others have allowed the Research Institute to support new clinical, translational, and health services research studies with total budgets of more than $1 million. Research has been completed that would not otherwise have been possible.

These are direct quotes from ACCP members who participated in a recent survey:

• “The money goes back to ACCP members; if we want to truly promote a research agenda, these contributions are a great way to do so.”
• “To help further the research base of clinical pharmacy, especially documenting the value of our clinical pharmacy services.”
• “Support of scholarship among College members, both new and senior investigators. Also, advancement of clinical pharmacy as an evidence-based discipline.”
• “We are members of a personally and financially rewarding health care profession. It should be part of one’s professional commitment to support scholarly and research activities that not only benefit our professional interests, but that also improve the life and health of our patients.”

Our goal is to raise at least $260,000 in 2008. Help is needed now, as the gifts received in 2008 will support the new research programs to be funded in 2008–2009. Our second goal is to increase the percentage of members who donate from 5.8% to 10%.

• NUMBER OF 2007 DONORS = 513 with total donation of $104,118
  • Average individual donation was $196
• NUMBER OF 2006 DONORS = 618 with total donation of $91,101
  • Average individual donation was $147

Every gift is important every year! ACCP currently has almost 10,000 members. If each of our 10,000 members donated even $50, it would total $500,000!! Just imagine what could be accomplished if each gave $100 or $200? This is a perfect example of how much we can accomplish if we pool our resources and work together.

Only 15% of the monies raised are allocated to administrative support. This is consistent with, or less than, the costs of similar national fundraising efforts, and it means that 85% of all donations are used to support new clinical pharmacy research.

Even though you may have invested in the Frontiers Fund last year, it’s critically important that we all do so again this year, that we make this an annual occurrence, and that we increase the size of our gift, if possible.

• Contributions made to the Frontiers Fund of ACCP, which is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, are deductible for computing income and estate taxes.
• Show your support of education and research by making an annual gift to the Frontiers Fund, donating in memory of a loved one, giving in honor of a survivor, or commemorating your own award.

During the past 5 years, the PRNs have been a major source of revenue for the Frontiers Fund. The following gifts and pledges have been made by the various PRNs:

• PRN combined contributions 2007 $26,333
• PRN combined contributions 2006 $41,541
• PRN combined contributions 2005 $27,570
• PRN combined contributions 2004 $33,339
• PRN combined contributions 2003 $31,550

Without your generous support, the ACCP Research Institute would not be able to provide grants and professional development to our members. These gifts are very much appreciated, and they have been an important part of the Frontiers Fund’s success. In fact, it would be absolutely wonderful if the PRN as a whole could consider a gift for 2008!

But ... it is critical that individual members provide their personal support as well. Without it, we cannot be successful in achieving our goal of supporting and expanding ACCP member-driven clinical and health services research.

The Research Institute Board of Trustees (BOT) sets the overall funding priorities. The Trustees are elected by ACCP members and serve a 3-year term. In addition, appointed BOT members serve on the Board for terms of 2 years.