Golden Dome Foundation

Transformational grants that touch the lives of those less fortunate

The Golden Dome Foundation, based in Holmdel, NJ was founded in 2015 by the late Dr. Robert H. Harris and his wife – the organization’s current president – Mary Ellen Harris. Golden Dome is committed to enriching and improving the quality of life for people and animals by supporting organizations with demonstrable results in efforts that support our mission and focus areas – health and wellness programs, education programs and animal welfare and training.

Mission

The Golden Dome Foundation is involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors that touch the lives of those less fortunate – supporting capital needs by providing grants to organizations dedicated to helping both people and animals. Funding clinical services, state-of-the-art technology, facility construction and modernizations, outreach initiatives and other vital programs. A 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Golden Dome Foundation invites organizations to apply for a grant to help support the growing needs of their constituents.

About Golden Dome Foundation

The Golden Dome Foundation, based in Holmdel, NJ was founded in 2015 by the late Dr. Robert H. Harris and his wife – the organization’s current president – Mary Ellen Harris.

Dr. Harris earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Notre Dame and a doctorate in biochemistry from Rutgers University and was the president and chief executive officer of Harris FRC Corp., a New Jersey-based firm that offered strategic expertise on projects involving the development of drugs, biologics, medical devices, dietary supplements and cosmetics.

Harris’ experience in research, development, safety testing, evaluation, and regulatory affairs in the industry and academia as well with federal agencies, has aided numerous clients in bringing new products to market while preserving the status of existing products. Prior to Harris FRC, he worked as a research scientist at Warner Lambert and as director of preclinical sciences and executive director of regulatory affairs and product development at American Home Products. While in the latter position, he was actively involved in the approval of five new drug applications and the switch of Advil to over-the-counter status.

In addition, Dr. Harris had held positions with the Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes for Health, and the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at Georgetown Medical Center. He is the recipient of the Young Investigator Award from the American Heart Association and served on the College of Science Advisory Council at Notre Dame.

As a pioneer in innovative research, Dr. Harris worked toward improving the quality of life for the people his work impacted, improving the working environment for clinicians, all while enhancing care for patients.

Past Grants

University of Notre Dame

A grant was awarded to underwrite the construction of a stadium for the Fighting Irish track and field teams.

The Harris Family Track and Field Stadium is located on the west side of the nine-lane outdoor track and field facility in the southeast corner of the Notre Dame campus.

The Seeing Eye®

A principal donor, this grant was awarded for the Seeing Eye’s new state-of-the-art kennel, The Robert H. Harris Canine Pavilion, that will serve as updated living quarters for the dogs that live at the Morristown campus of the Seeing Eye during the 4 months of training it takes them to become Seeing Eye® dogs.

Bayshore Medical Center

A grant was awarded to Bayshore Medical for a 32,000 square foot expansion for their Emergency Care Center that provided the space
necessary for the medical staff to address the needs of the community in a comfortable and private environment.

Located on the Garden State Parkway side of the campus, the center contains 35 patient bays, swing space with capacity for pediatric care and new imaging equipment dedicated to Emergency Care Center patients.

Jersey Shore University Medical Center

A grant was awarded to Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) for a ZAP-X® Gyroscopic Radiosurgery machine – a first-in-the-world piece of medical equipment that will treat many primary and metastatic brain tumors with no incision in one to five brief outpatient visits. ZAP-X® Gyroscopic RadiosurgeryⓇ was invented by John R. Adler, M.D., who previously invented CyberKnifeⓇ.

Located in the Hope Tower at the The Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute within JSUMC, and paired with Synaptive MRI, by Synaptive Medical Inc., the two will provide the care team with real-time imaging feedback at all stages of clinical intervention, significantly shortening the time frame from diagnosis to treatment.

Applying for a Grant

How to Apply:

The Foundation trustees meet throughout the year to consider proposals as scheduled by the Board. Please reach out to Harriet Donnelly, foundation administrator, for inquiries regarding when the meetings are scheduled.  

Grant Disbursements:

Action on grant proposals will be communicated by letter or email within thirty days following the Foundation Board meeting at which the proposals were considered.

Grant Reports:

All recipients of grants will be required to report on the use of the grant within 30-days after receipt of funds. Continuing quarterly reports will be required until the funded project is completed.

List of Requisites for Applying for a Grant:

A grant proposal to the Golden Dome Foundation must be presented for consideration by the Foundation’s Trustees. The proposal must be in electronic form, signed, and be completed by the organization utilizing the grant funds.

All proposals must incorporate the following:

  • The formal name of the organization (Organization / Corporation utilizing the grant funds).
  • Address
  • Telephone number / email address / website URL
  • Corporate Officer or specific contact person preparing the proposal.
  • Description of the organization, including the charitable purpose for which it is founded
  • An overall “executive summary” as well as a complete description with backup documentation of the specific purpose for which the grant is requested. In the event that the purpose of the grant is to finance construction work such as a new building or addition, renovations or equipment purchase (including transportation vehicles), the proposal shall incorporate a complete set of the architect’s drawings and/or broken down monetary estimates.
  • The number of people/animals who will benefit from the capital expenditure 
  • Copy of IRS Tax Determination Letter issued to the organization/corporation.
  • A Certification Regarding “Terrorist Financing” executed by the chief corporate officer.
  • Copy of last audited financial statement of organization/corporation applying for the grant.
  • Other sources of funds to be used to construct the facilities or purchase the capital item in question.
PROPOSAL Submissions should be made electronically to Harriet Donnelly at hdonnelly@e5marketing.com

Contact Information

Please contact the foundation administrator, Harriet Donnelly, with any questions at 908-901-9280 or via email at hdonnelly@e5marketing.com.