On Jun. 8, 2002, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community pledged $5 million to the Translational Genomics Research Institute.

The Indian community initially planned to use money from its General Fund. However, state voters passed a new gaming law in November that required a portion of casino revenue to be set aside for use in surrounding communities. Salt River leaders negotiated with Phoenix to designate $1 million a year for five years from its revenue sharing for the genomics institute. Their participation in the effort drew appreciation and praise from across the state and the nation.