The Los Angeles-based W.M. Keck Foundation gave $20 million to UCLA to fund biomedical research grants and support a renovation of the UCLA Medical Plaza, the university announced April 2.

The gift will go toward upgrading the medical plaza, a major center for outpatient care. In recognition, the area outside its three main buildings will be renamed W.M. Keck Court.

The gift will also support research at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine.

The W.M. Keck award brings its total contributions made to UCLA to $55 million, and to the University of California to more than $165 million.

“Its visionary investments have helped accelerate groundbreaking discoveries that have improved countless lives,” said UCLA Chancellor Gene Block, in a statement.

The downtown foundation was founded in 1954 by William M. Keck, the founder of Superior Oil Co., to support scientific, engineering and biomedical research. His grandson Robert Day, chairman and chief executive since 1995, has personally given $22 million to UCLA.

Health business reporter Dana Bartholomew can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @_DanaBart.