Our impact
The Community Foundation supports our community throughout the donation journey by funding programs offered by donor family services, hospital development, and Gift of Hope community partnerships.
Each of the funded programs provides support to the donor family’s well-being through a comforting blanket and shared stories of donation, bedside support through our chaplaincy program, and medical respite care for donor families and transplant recipients.
Donor Family Services: Legacy Blanket Program
In partnership with the Kyle Zuleg Foundation and Live LaMore Foundation, the Legacy Blanket Program is supported by the Community Foundation. At over 180 hospitals, donor families whose loved one is in the process of becoming a donor receive a warm Legacy Blanket. The intent is to send a warm hug to a donor family so they do not feel so alone and know they have a community of support.
Donor Family Services: Family Support Fellowship
The Community Foundation helps fund a Fellow from Bishop Anderson House at John Stroger Hospital. This Fellow provides spiritual and emotional support to families when a loved one is admitted to a critical care unit.
Donor Family Services/Transplant Recipients: Respite Care
The Community Foundation helps fund rooms at The Guest House, which provides medical lodging for patients and families. Their mission is to build community and healing by providing comfortable, affordable accommodations for patients and their families through their treatment.
Research
Gift of Hope is one of four organ procurement organizations in the country involved in a study to provide accurate information regarding organ donation to decision-making Black Americans. The study is testing culturally targeted communication skills training and intervention for the donation professionals responding to policy changes to increase the nation’s supply of transplantable organs and increase access to minority transplant candidates.
2024 Impact Report
Contact the Foundation
We are here to answer your questions about Gift of Hope, the Gift of Hope Community Foundation and your options for charitable giving.
Call 312-500-GIVE (4483)