He had developed a growing interest in the study of the brain during his involvement as a founding Trustee of the American Health Foundation and as Chairman of the Phoenix House Foundation, a private non-profit drug abuse agency. In l983, he became a benefactor of neuroscience, contributing $l.7 million to fund the David Mahoney Institute of Neurological Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania. In l990, he established the Harvard Mahoney Neuroscience Institute at Harvard Medical School. In l999, Columbia University honored his many contributions to medical research with the creation of the David Mahoney Center for Brain and Behavior Research.

Since l977, as Chairman of the Board of the Dana Foundation, Mr. Mahoney has had a substantial influence on the progress of brain research. Under his leadership, the Foundation has committed more than $34 million in grants for brain research. In l992, after President Bush declared the l990’s to be the Decade of the Brain, Mr. Mahoney challenged the neuroscience community to publicly declare the scientific accomplishments that could be reached by the end of the decade. He then provided the resources to help the neuroscience community educate the public about the promise of brain research. He was directly responsible for founding, in l992, the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, a non-profit organization of more than l85 neuroscientists committed to advancing public understanding of the progress and promise of brain research. In l995, he created the concept of Brain Awareness Week bringing neuroscientists, government agencies, and patient advocacy groups together to illustrate the advances of brain research to the public. In l997, the European Dana Alliance for the Brain was launched with a similar commitment and a membership of 67 European neuroscientists. Currently Brain Awareness week is observed by 850 partner organizations in 27 countries. In l998 with the establishment of the Dana Brain-Body Institute, Mr. Mahoney turned the Foundation’s attention to the relationship between the brain and the three leading killers in the United States, cancer, stroke and heart disease, supporting research on the inter-relationship between the brain and these terrible diseases.

Mr. Mahoney has had a life-long commitment to health and medical research. As a benefactor and leader of a major philanthropy, he has not only continually challenged the science community to conquer brain-related disabilities and diseases, but he has dedicated philanthropy to support research. Mr. Mahoney’s determination and generosity have made it possible to learn about more about the brain in the last ten years than in all previous history.