Presbyterian Foundation History and Mission

The mission of the Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation is to raise and steward funds necessary to improve the health and lives in Presbyterian Healthcare Services communities.

The Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation was incorporated in 1967 and was one of the first 100 hospital foundations in the country. It was the brainchild of then-CEO Ray Woodham, who felt that Medicare legislation passed in 1965 and implemented in 1966 would result in decreased payments to hospitals. Woodham wanted a formal vehicle to raise and accept charitable donations and in 1966 set up the Presbyterian Hospital Center Foundation, our forerunner.

The Foundation is a self-supporting organization funded entirely by a portion of the proceeds from investment income. All charitable contributions from our donors are distributed based on the donor's intent. This stewardship is the cornerstone of philanthropic accountability.

Annual Giving Programs

The Foundation supports two Annual Giving Programs:

• The Cornerstone Annual Fund Campaign
• PresGiving Employee Campaign

Proceeds from these programs directly benefit patient care through purchased equipment and services, training and educating clinical staff, and supporting numerous programs and activities throughout the organization.

Planned Giving Programs

The Foundation's Planned Giving Programs provide opportunities for individual giving through:

• Wills and estates
• Stocks, bonds and other similar assets
• Annuity and life insurance programs
• The Acequia Madre Society and the Heritage Society recognize donors who have made significant gifts to the Foundation.

Special Project Giving

We solicit major gifts for the purpose of funding one-time special projects or equipment needs of Presbyterian Healthcare Services. These gifts usually come in the form of cash or other liquid assets and are given specifically for a targeted project.

Special Events

The Foundation participates in a variety of special events, including:

• Daffodil Days, a region-wide spring sale of flowers to benefit Presbyterian's Homecare and Hospice Patient Care Fund
• Laughter is the Best Medicine, an annual gala featuring a nationally-recognized comedian to benefit Critical Needs programs at Presbyterian  
• Memorial Tree Program, a holiday ornament purchasing program to benefit Presbyterian's Hospice services

Annual Recognition Gatherings

The Foundation sponsors the annual Physician Recognition Dinner which awards the Hugh A. Cooper Award to a retiring/retired Presbyterian physician in recognition of superior healthcare delivery and service to the community.  The evening also presents the Chief of Medical Staff Award/Clinical Quality Award for leadership in and outstanding contributions to clinical quality improvement at Presbyterian.  

Volunteer Services Program

More than 600 volunteers provide their services at 11 Presbyterian facilities.  The Presbyterian Volunteer Services Program annually provides tens of thousands of invaluable hours of service to Presbyterian Healthcare Services, and, in its 55 year history, the Presbyterian Volunteer Services has contributed nearly $7,000,000 in cash to support Presbyterian.