Genentech Foundation for Biomedical Sciences Due to a reorganization of Genentech's philanthropy activity, 2008 marked the final year of the Genentech Foundation for Biomedical Sciences (GFBS). In 2008, GFBS awarded 24 grants totaling $1,264,702 to educational institutions and community-based organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area who share the Foundation's commitment to supporting innovation and expanding the scientific knowledge of local students and teachers. In its 20-year history GFBS granted in excess of $15 million to support health science and education in the San Francisco Bay Area.

"Since its founding in 1988, the Genentech Foundation for Biomedical Sciences has supported science and biotechnology education in the Bay Area," said Herbert Boyer, Ph.D., chairman of the Foundation and Genentech co-founder. "We are proud that our grants have made a positive impact on local students, raising their level of excitement toward becoming the next generation of researchers and employees in the Bay Area's growing biomedical sciences sector. I think I speak for the entire board when I say, it has been a real pleasure over the past twenty years to have participated in community giving through the Foundation, and witnessed a continual growth in students' interest in this amazing field of biotechnology."

Future GFBS grant requests will be referred to the Genentech Foundation. Started in 2002, the Genentech Foundation supports non-profit organizations and educational institutions that align with its objectives of improving patients' lives, preparing future science leaders and strengthening neighboring communities.