About — The Agape Fund

In honor of Thomas Byrne

The Agape Fund was founded in honor of Thomas Byrne, whose life and spirit have inspired our mission from the very beginning. Diagnosed with Down syndrome, Thomas has long been a beacon of light to those around him — especially during his years at American Martyrs School and Cathedral Catholic High School.

Thomas leads with his heart, offering kindness, courage, and compassion to everyone he meets. Today, he continues to embody strength as he navigates the challenges of Down Syndrome Regression Disorder, supported by the dedicated team at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.

At The Agape Fund, we fundraise with Thomas in our hearts — guided by his resilience and the example he sets for all of us. His journey fuels our commitment to advancing research, care, and community for the neurodivergent and special needs communities.

Here is a video briefly explaining The Agape Fund.

About the fund

The Agape Fund allocates philanthropic capital to advance medical research in neurodegenerative diseases and improve care delivery systems for the neurodivergent community. We are a mission-driven organization dedicated to supporting the most impactful, evidence-based initiatives that serve individuals and families across this spectrum of need.

Our work spans funding breakthrough research, designing and delivering inclusive therapy programs, and launching pilot studies that test and scale innovative models of care. We believe in cross-sector collaboration, scientific rigor, and community engagement as essential tools for creating long-term, systemic impact.

The Agape Fund is a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN: 99-4102585), classified under IRS Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). We also operate a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) platform to enable aligned philanthropists to participate in our mission and co-invest in our grantmaking efforts.