Founded by Nancy Lurie Marks and headquartered just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, the Nancy Lurie Marks (NLM) Family Foundation concentrates on autism research and education.

The primary mission of the NLM Family Foundation is to help people with autism lead fulfilling and rewarding lives. The NLM Family Foundation is committed to understanding autism from a scientific perspective, increasing opportunities available to the autism community, developing novel ways to ameliorate the difficulties of those with autism while enhancing their abilities, and educating the public about autism. In pursuit of these goals, the NLM Family Foundation has become one of the largest supporters of research and education for autism and has been actively engaged in autism-related projects for over 25 years.

The NLM Family Foundation funds peer-reviewed research projects, supports autism advocacy organizations, supports the production of educational materials about autism, and provides infrastructure and training grants to hospitals, universities, and other research institutions. The focus of these projects has ranged from investigating the genetic basis of the development of autism to developing arts programs in which individuals with autism can explore various means of self-expression and engage in an integrated social environment. Past recipients of support include the National Alliance for Autism Research, the Facilitated Communication Institute at Syracuse University, the Yale Child Study Center, and Georgetown University Center for the Study of Learning.

The NLM Family Foundation supports projects which challenge the stereotypes that hinder the ability of people with autism to become integrated into society. These stereotypes, including the misconception that people with autism are invariably mentally retarded and have no interest in communicating, are based on controversial scientific evidence. Challenging such stereotypes will lead to a more accurate public understanding of autism.

The NLM Family Foundation actively seeks to develop partnerships with other funders and scientists, and plays a proactive role in the projects that it supports. Additionally, the NLM Family Foundation seeks to foster active collaboration between investigators interested in autism as well as collaboration between agencies that have a direct interest in developmental disabilities. To accomplish this, the NLM Family Foundation has sponsored scientific conferences, symposia, workshops, and informal meetings for investigators interested in autism, brain-related research, education, and related areas to share their research findings and exchange ideas for innovative new research.

In addition to its commitment to autism research and education, the NLM Family Foundation has also provided significant support to other biomedical research endeavors. The Foundation has provided support to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and to build the Clinical Neurology Wing at the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. The Foundation also supports civic, educational, arts, and community causes in the Boston metropolitan area including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Symphony, and Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

The NLM Family Foundation is envisioning new possible collaborative opportunities in the areas of 21st century science and bioinformatics; communication collaborations linking the educational, clinical, technology and research arenas, and collaborations designed to elucidate the role that genes play in brain disorders. Ultimately, the Foundation is committed to advancing autism research, education, and service delivery to have a positive and profound impact on the quality of the opportunities and experiences available to the autism community.