The Ventricular Foundation
Our main goal is to empower children to become anything they choose in life, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
We are a California nonprofit public benefit corporation for potentiating science activities directed to enhance the study and understanding of the evolution of the cerebral cortex. Activities of The VENTRICULAR FOUNDATION include: • Visits to elementary schools to teach children about the brain, with a special focus on children from under-represented groups. Photos from all our outreach events can be found on our website. • Mentorship activities for underrepresented students in high school and college who may be interested in pursuing a career in science. • Fellowships for underrepresented high school students to help cover the costs of exams, exam materials, and application fees for college and graduate school. Information about our Fellowships, eligibility and how to apply can be found on our website too. La FUNDACIÓN VENTRICULAR es una organización sin ánimo de lucro cuyo propósito es diseminar el conocimiento científico en la comunidad.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Scholarships
The Ventricular Foundation offer scholarships for underrepresented high school students to help cover the costs of exams, exam materials, and application fees for college and graduate school. AP Exams - $50/exam (after discount code). Many High School students are enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Taking “college level curricula” not only prepare high school students for university, but also grant them the opportunity to obtain college credit upon successful completion of the course. To obtain college credits, students must take the AP exam for their respective class and obtain a score of 3 or higher (on a scale of 1-5) . These exams are optional, but some low-income students do not take these exams because of funding issues. There are no fee waivers readily available for students as there are for SAT/ACT college entrance exams. However, there is a discount code that reduces the exam fee from $90 to $50 for low income students. The Ventricular Foundation can help fund the exam fee for low income students who are prepared to take the exam and who meet eligibility criteria. To apply, check out our website!
College Entrance Exam Prep Materials - $25/book. The Ventricular Foundation funds exam prep materials (SAT/ACT) that are not readily available to some low-income high school students.
College Application Fees - $70/school (after fee waiver) . The University of California (UC) and California State University System (CSU) offer application fee waivers for up to 4 schools in each of their respective school systems, granted that the student meets the required financial income requirements listed on their website. If a student chooses to apply to more than 8 schools, The Ventricular Foundation can help cover the additional cost of application fees for eligible students. Student who qualify for the IUC and CSU waiver also qualify for The Ventricular Foundation scholarships.
Where we work
External reviews

Photos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of children who have been exposed to neuroscience as a teaching tool
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Economically disadvantaged people, Students
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The VENTRICULAR FOUNDATION is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to further public knowledge of science. Our main goal is to empower children to become anything they choose in life, mainly those from underrepresented backgrounds. We do so by using neurosciences as a teaching tool. Students of all ages, the scientific community, and the public benefit from the outreach and scientific activities organized by the Foundation in the greater Sacramento area and the central valley of California. Join us!
Donations to the VENTRICULAR FOUNDATION make our outreach activities possible, and will fund student fellowships and international conferences about the brain.
La FUNDACIÓN VENTRICULAR es una organización sin ánimo de lucro cuyo propósito es diseminar el conocimiento científico en la comunidad. Nuestro objetivo principal es inspirar a los niños a alcanzar cualquier meta que se propongan en la vida, sobre todo aquellos pertenecientes a minorías raciales y étnicas. Para ello utilizamos las neurociencias como herramienta de aprendizaje. Estudiantes de todas las edades, la comunidad científica, y el público en general se benefician de las actividades organizadas por la fundación en Sacramento y en el valle central de California.
Actividades realizadas por La FUNDACIÓN VENTRICULAR incluyen:
• Visitas a escuelas para enseñar a los niños sobre el cerebro, con especial atención a niños de grupos minoritarios.
• Tutoría de estudiantes de High-school y graduado insuficientemente representados que que tengan interés en empezar una carrera en ciencias.
• Becas para estudiantes de High-school para cubrir gastos de exámenes, de materiales para preparar los exámenes, y de tasas aplicacion para ir a la universidad.
• Organización de la Conferencia en Evolución Cortical.
Donaciones realizadas a la FUNDACIÓN VENTRICULAR hacen estas actividades posibles y financian becas para estudiantes y conferencias sobre el cerebro.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The VENTRICULAR FOUNDATION supports the dissemination of knowledge on brain development and evolution and promotes scientific outreach.
We work together with graduate students and professors at UC Davis to visit schools and participate in local fairs to educate students and the public about basic scientific research, and the benefits of understanding brain function, development and evolution. We are always looking for more opportunities to discuss the benefits of scientific research with the public, so please contact us at our Facebook Page if you have any special requests.
La FUNDACIÓN VENTRICULAR es una organización sin ánimo de lucro cuyo propósito es diseminar el conocimiento científico en la comunidad.
Trabajamos con estudiantes de doctorado, investigadores y profesores voluntarios de UC Davis y visitamos escuelas y eventos públicos para educar estudiantes y el público general sobre investigación en ciencia básica y sobre los beneficios de comprender el funcionamiento, el desarrollo y la evolución del cerebro. Siempre estamos en la busca de nuevas oportunidades para conversar sobre estos temas. Por favor, póngase en contacto con nosotros usando el link de abajo si tiene interés en que visitemos su escuela o evento.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The VENTRICULAR FOUNDATION was founded by two professors from the University of California, Davis School of Medicine who have expertise in neuroanatomy and brain development. Members of the Foundation, including undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and professors participate in outreach activities.
¿Quienes somos?
La FUNDACIÓN VENTRICULAR fue fundada en 2016 por dos profesores de la Escuela de Medicina de la Universidad de California en Davis, cuya especialidad es en neuroanatomía y desarrollo cerebral. Miembros de la fundación, incluyendo estudiantes de grado, estudiantes de doctorado, y profesores participan en las actividades educativas. Donaciones realizadas a la FUNDACIÓN VENTRICULAR hacen estas actividades posibles y financian becas para estudiantes y conferencias sobre el cerebro.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
As of November, 2019 we have:
- Taught to over 1,500 students through educational outreach
- We have 35+ undergraduate, research and faculty volunteers
- Visited 13 elementary schools, 6 University of California-Davis outreach events & 3 after school & summer school programs
- Developed Fellowships and a Mentorship Program
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
The Ventricular Foundation
Board of directorsas of 02/22/2022
Dr. Stephen Noctor
Organizational demographics
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Leadership
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Race & ethnicity
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