The Celiac Disease Foundation has announced the launch of the Celiac Disease Foundation Impact Fund, a venture philanthropy initiative with an initial goal of $15 million aimed at accelerating innovation across the celiac disease ecosystem.
Developed in partnership with Triple G Ventures, the fund represents a shift beyond traditional philanthropy, deploying investment capital into scalable solutions focused on early detection, prevention, education, and curative therapies. The initiative is designed to address longstanding funding and infrastructure gaps that have slowed progress in the field.
The Impact Fund will prioritize investments across four key areas: early detection technologies such as at-home diagnostics and AI-driven screening tools; prevention strategies including microbiome-based therapies and immune-modulating approaches; education and awareness platforms for providers and patients; and potential cures such as enzyme therapies, immune tolerance treatments, and gene or cell-based solutions.
Celiac disease affects approximately one in 100 people globally, including around three million Americans, yet an estimated 70 to 80 percent remain undiagnosed. Untreated, the condition can lead to serious complications including osteoporosis, infertility, neurological issues, and certain cancers. Despite its prevalence, research funding for celiac disease has historically lagged behind other autoimmune conditions.
The fund will operate as a mission-aligned investment vehicle, reinvesting any financial returns back into future initiatives to create a sustainable cycle of innovation. An independent investment committee and advisory network will oversee decisions to ensure scientific rigor, commercial viability, and patient-centered outcomes.
The Foundation said the Impact Fund is actively seeking investors, donors, and partners, while also evaluating companies for potential investment opportunities.
KEY QUOTES:
“For more than three decades, the Celiac Disease Foundation has led efforts to expand research, improve diagnosis, and elevate patient voices. But the pace of change has not matched the scale of need. Celiac disease affects 1 in 100 people worldwide, and the majority remain undiagnosed. This Impact Fund represents a decisive shift in how we accelerate progress by investing directly in the solutions that will redefine what’s possible for our community. Patients have waited too long for meaningful investment at scale. Through the Impact Fund, we are building the infrastructure needed to accelerate innovation from diagnostics to disease-modifying therapies and to ensure promising solutions reach families faster.”
Marilyn Geller, CEO, Celiac Disease Foundation
“A few years ago, my wife was diagnosed with celiac disease around her 43rd birthday, and I’ve seen firsthand how deeply it disrupts daily life. Awareness and education are foundational. Too many people go undiagnosed or unsupported. We’re creating a repeatable engine to find, fund, and scale what works and we’re doing it with urgency.”
Gregg Stein, Managing Partner, Triple G Ventures and Investment Manager of the Celiac Disease Foundation Impact Fund
