Funding the Future of Women’s Health & Aging Science
Research, education, and health equity.
Our Purpose
Women’s health has been underfunded for far too long.
For too long, menopause has been treated as a niche women's issue, despite affecting nearly every system in the body and influencing cardiovascular health, cognitive function, bone density, and metabolic health across decades of a woman's life. Women have been told to push through symptoms, accept gaps in care, and wait for answers that never came. Meanwhile, the science that could change their outcomes has gone underfunded.
That's not just a women's health issue. That's an aging issue. A public health issue. A research issue.
Through Dr. Mary Claire Haver's work with patients and The 'Pause Life community, our family has seen firsthand how difficult it can be for women to find trusted information, meaningful support, and answers grounded in science. The Haver Family Foundation is our commitment to changing that by directing real, sustained funding toward the research, education, and community programs women have needed for decades. Grants are funded by a commitment of 2% gross profit from The 'Pause Life.
Our Work
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RESEARCH
Funding the science women deserve.
Apply for a GrantWe support scientific and medical research that helps close those gaps and improve women’s health across every stage of life. We’re especially interested in supporting early-stage and emerging researchers who may not yet have access to larger funding opportunities, but will consider projects at all stages of development.
Areas of interest:
- Research related to menopause and aging science, hormonal and post-reproductive health, autoimmune and inflammatory disease in women, cardiovascular and metabolic health, and brain and mental health conditions affecting women
- Research addressing social determinants of health and disparities in care
- Data-collection efforts that improve understanding of women’s health conditions
- Scientific meetings, symposia, and research dissemination
- Funding open-access publication fees that make women’s health research freely available to researchers, clinicians, patients, and the public.
Priority will be given to projects with clear, measurable outcomes and the potential for meaningful impact on women’s health.
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HEALTH EQUITY & COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Expanding access to better care and support.
Apply for a GrantWe support community-based programs that help improve access to care, education, and support services for women and underserved populations.
Focus areas:
- Partnerships with community health centers, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations
- Access to screenings, health navigation resources, and support services
- Community-based health education and outreach programs
- Initiatives that improve representation in women’s health research
- Programs that expand access to trusted health information in underserved communities
Priority will be given to programs with measurable outcomes and meaningful community impact.
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
CO-FOUNDER
Mary Claire Haver, MD
Dr. Mary Claire Haver, MD, FACOG, MSCP, is a board-certified OB-GYN, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The New Menopause and The New Perimenopause. In 2021, she founded The ‘Pause Wellness a clinic dedicated to comprehensive menopause care, and in 2023 launched ThePauseLife.com, a trusted resource for women navigating menopause. She is also the host of unPAUSED with Dr. Mary Claire Haver. A sought-after speaker and educator, Dr. Haver has built a community of more than 7 million followers, where she demystifies menopause through relatable, science-backed content. Through her writing, clinical practice, podcast, and digital presence, she continues to empower women worldwide with evidence-based menopause education.
Board of Directors
Co-Founder
Christopher Haver
Christopher Haver is Director of The 'Pause Companies, where he oversees strategy, finance, and organizational development. After a 34-year international executive career in oil and gas, he retired early to help his wife, Mary Claire, advance her mission of improving women's health. He brings expertise in project management, technology development, planning, and organizational design. During his career, he managed the construction and commissioning of one of the world's largest offshore oil and gas projects in Angola, West Africa. Today, he applies that experience to support the Haver Family Foundation's mission of advancing research and improving women's health in midlife and beyond.
Board of Directors
Chief Executive Officer
Deb Millard
Deb Millard is Chief Executive Officer of The ‘Pause Life and a seasoned consumer-brand leader with more than 20 years of experience across retail, e-commerce, beauty, wellness, and health. Since joining The ‘Pause Life, she has helped accelerate growth across the company’s consumer products, media, community, and clinical platforms, expanding access to evidence-based solutions for women navigating midlife and beyond. Previously, she co-founded Stripes with Naomi Watts and held leadership roles at Amazon, Old Navy, Williams-Sonoma, and Restoration Hardware.
Board of Directors
MD, FACOG, MSCP
Dr. Sharon McCloskey
Dr. Sharon Syers McCloskey, MD, FACOG, MSCP is a board-certified OB-GYN and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner with more than 20 years of experience in women’s health. As a clinician with The ‘Pause Wellness, she focuses on midlife and menopause care, helping women feel informed, empowered, and supported. Dr. McCloskey is recognized for her leadership in healthcare, including being named Physician of the Year at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center.
Application & Award Process
Next Grant Deadline: September 30, 2026
1. Complete the application
Share your project, goals, timeline, and how funding will be used.
2. Submit supporting materials
Include your IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter and budget overview.
3. Applications are reviewed
Applications are evaluated based on mission alignment, measurable impact, scientific integrity, and responsible stewardship of funds.
4. Funding decisions are announced
Selected applicants will be contacted directly with next steps and grant details.
Questions? Please email hello@haverfamilyfoundation.com.
Eligibility Requirements
Grant applicants must:
- Be a registered 501(c)(3) organization
- Have been operating for at least one year
- Demonstrate basic financial transparency
- Propose work led by or directly benefiting women
The Haver Family Foundation is designed to provide early-stage funding that helps promising projects gain traction. Applicants should propose a budget appropriate to the scope and objectives of their project, reflecting focused, achievable work rather than large capital campaigns. All requests are reviewed individually, and final award amounts will be determined based on project merit, impact, feasibility, and available funding. As a newly established fund, the Foundation is committed to learning alongside the communities, researchers, and organizations we support. Funding priorities, eligibility criteria, application requirements, and grantmaking processes may be modified at any time as the Fund evolves and refines its approach to maximizing impact.
Stay in Touch
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The Haver Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All activities are conducted for the broad public benefit. No commercial entity, including The ‘Pause Life, receives benefit from Foundation expenditures or programs.