Stop Alzheimer’s Now awards two $100,000 research grants to advance cure-focused science in 2026

AUSTIN, Texas—May 11, 2026—Stop Alzheimer’s Now (SAN) is proud to announce the awarding of two separate $100,000 research grants in 2026, supporting groundbreaking Alzheimer’s disease research led by Domenico Praticò at Temple University and Benjamin Deneen at Baylor College of Medicine.

Sharing a deep connection to the Scott Richards North Star Foundation, SAN was founded in 2013 by Shaun McDuffee, AEP, CLU®, ChFC®, CEPA®, a North Star Resource Group senior vice president. Driven by a personal connection to the condition, McDuffee and his wife, Kristin, founded SAN to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s as well as its effects on families around the world. Since its founding, SAN has raised over $1 million, of which 97% has directly funded research and awareness initiatives.

These grants will directly fund innovative, cure-focused research initiatives that aim to better understand and ultimately eliminate Alzheimer’s disease. Both projects were selected following careful review of recent funding requests and align with SAN’s unwavering commitment to accelerating meaningful scientific breakthroughs.

What makes these contributions especially powerful is their source.

These research gifts are made possible 100% by the generosity of SAN’s donors and supporters. This is their money in motion—creating real impact, fueling discovery and driving hope forward.

“Every dollar we grant is a direct reflection of the people who believe in this mission,” said McDuffee. “Our donors are not just supporters—they are partners in the fight. Their generosity is what allows us to fund bold, innovative research with one goal in mind: to find a cure. We simply could not do this without them.”

Stop Alzheimer’s Now remains committed to stewarding donor contributions with transparency and purpose, ensuring funds are directed toward high-impact research efforts that have the potential to change the trajectory of this devastating disease.

For more information about Stop Alzheimer’s Now or to support ongoing research efforts, visit www.stopalzheimersnow.org.

About Stop Alzheimer’s Now
Stop Alzheimer’s Now (SAN) is a nonprofit dedicated to funding cure-focused Alzheimer’s disease research. Through community events and grassroots fundraising, SAN has raised over $1 million to support groundbreaking research that aims to end Alzheimer’s once and for all. To learn more about Stop Alzheimer’s Now, visit www.stopalzheimersnow.org.

About North Star Resource Group
North Star Resource Group is a Minneapolis-based financial services firm that provides both individuals and businesses with the resources to help create, preserve and protect their wealth. North Star has more than 200 full-time advisors and over 218 employees. In a network of 43 offices in over 17 states, they have contributed to the financial security and well-being of over 150,000 individuals and small businesses.* To learn more about North Star Resource Group, visit www.northstarfinancial.com.

*Data as of December 2025

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If you would like more information about this topic, please call Jenna Turton at 651.983.0738 or email her at jenna.turton@northstarfinancial.com.