Billionaire Wertheim turns to Nobel laureates to direct millions in philanthropy

A South Florida billionaire is trying a different approach to philanthropy: Instead of deciding which major causes plaguing humanity should receive his millions, Herbert Wertheim is turning to some of the world’s most celebrated minds — Nobel laureates — to decide where the money can do the most good.

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Palm Beach resident Wertheim, 87, an optometry physician, inventor and major donor to Florida International University, whose medical school carries his name, is launching a program that will invite Nobel Prize winners in medicine to direct millions of dollars to charitable organizations they believe can make the greatest difference.

The Wertheim Laureate Prize, launched this month by the Herbert Wertheim Trust for Humanity, will initially invite 13 scientists to participate in a process that will decide how Wertheim will donate $5.5 million over three years.

Leading the way will be the three recipients of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, who are being invited to direct $1 million each to a cause they choose on behalf of Wertheim’s $3 million.

Additionally, 10 scientists honored from 2021 through 2025 will be invited to direct $250,000 each, which completes the $5.5 million donation.

Wertheim, known as “the catalytic philanthropist,” has made philanthropy a central part of his business and personal life. He is the founder of Brain Power Inc. and a member of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame for pioneering ultraviolet and blue-light-absorbing protection for eyeglass lenses.

The initiative reflects Wertheim’s belief that scientists whose discoveries have transformed medicine are well positioned to determine where philanthropic dollars can have the greatest impact. The program will also bring the scientists’ knowledge and experience to students, physicians and researchers through lectures and visits to universities, medical schools and other institutions bearing Wertheim’s name including at Baptist Heath South Florida and Jackson Health System.

“No one is better qualified to direct philanthropy in medicine and science than the men and women the world has just honored,” Wertheim said in the announcement. “The Nobel Prize honors what these scientists have already given humanity. The Wertheim Laureate Prize asks what they will give next.”

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The founding group includes Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel, who received the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics, which uses light to stimulate neurons and other cell types.

The idea of trusting the Nobel laureates to select philanthropic recipients comes from Wertheim’s relationships with Nobel laureates at Scripps Research in La Jolla, California, where he has served on the board of directors since 2021, according to the Trust’s announcement.

Wertheim said seeing how the scientists like Scripps researchers Ardem Patapoutian and K. Barry Sharpless influenced students and colleagues helped convince him that laureates could contribute to society beyond their research.

“Spending time with Ardem and K. Barry at Scripps showed me what happens when a great scientist walks into a room of young researchers,” Wertheim said.

The first lectures and visits are expected in 2027. Participating institutions to host the Nobel laureates include the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University, the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida and the Herbert Wertheim College of Business at Florida State University.

The Trust plans to expand the program to include eligible Nobel laureates in chemistry, physics and economic sciences.

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