Singletons Donate $23 Million to UCI Dementia Center

A $23 million gift from Cary and Will Singleton will support the construction and equipment of a new facility for dementia research at UC Irvine in Irvine.

The donation covers $13 million for the construction of Ann Hutchinson Quilter Hall. The remaining $10 million will purchase advanced MRI and PET scanners. These tools allow researchers to study the structure and function of the living brain. The scanners will help scientists track changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other brain conditions over time.

The facility is scheduled for completion in 2029. It will house the UC Irvine Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, known as UCI MIND. The building will bring researchers, clinicians, students, and community programs under one roof.

Chancellor Howard Gillman said the gift will give researchers tools to change the pace of discovery. "Cary and Will Singleton’s extraordinary generosity will give our researchers tools and opportunities that can fundamentally change the pace of discovery," Gillman said. "We are deeply grateful for their partnership and their remarkable commitment to improving the lives of those affected by dementia."

Joshua Grill, director of UCI MIND, noted that the new space allows for more ambitious questions. "This gift will allow us to ask more ambitious questions and answer them with greater precision," Grill said. The institute unites more than 70 faculty members across 25 academic departments. It operates one of only 35 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers funded by the National Institute on Aging.

Cary Singleton said the collaborative model of the institute influenced the decision to donate. "We recognize the importance of the collaborative approach UCI MIND takes," she said. The couple was also drawn to the reputation of the people directing the program. Will Singleton stated a desire to see progress in understanding the causes of various forms of dementia and its eventual prevention.

The Orange County Community Foundation helped facilitate the gift. CEO Shelley Hoss said the foundation was pleased to connect the couple’s goals with the university’s research strengths. This investment follows nearly $80 million in philanthropic support announced in 2025, which included more than $50 million from the Quilter family.