Generous donors fueling programs across Michigan Medicine

Approximately a 3-minute read

Key takeaways:

• The Office of Development has had a strong start to the fiscal year, raising more than $110 million from June through December.
• Most gifts are given by patients and patient families who are grateful for the care all of us provide, promote, and facilitate. 
• Gifts are fueling impactful programs across our enterprise.

“Dr. Hood and the Kellogg Eye Center saved my vision. I want others to have the gift I received.”

“Our daughter was in the hospital to treat a brain tumor. The bear she was gifted was by her side the entire time. … This small gift gave our daughter comfort during a tough time. We want to make sure every kid at the hospital has the same comfort.”

“The University of Michigan’s residency education at the Neuropsychiatric Institute and Children’s Psychiatric Hospital [from] 1968-72 informed and supported my entire career.”

These are just a few responses people gave when asked why they were making an online gift to Michigan Medicine. The gifts given by these individuals are part of $110 million in philanthropic dollars committed across Michigan Medicine in the first half of fiscal year 2023. That includes generous support from D. Dan and Betty Kahn Foundation to support the new hospital as well gifts across multiple areas of medicine. Additional recent highlights include: 

• $3 million to establish a research fund in support of myelofibrosis research
• $1.5 million planned gift benefiting the Taisch Family Endowed Scholarship Fund
• $1 million for cancer programs for the Burnstine Family BRCA Cancer Research Initiative
• $470,000 for the Department of Surgery 
• $250,000 to support Antepartum Wellness Music 
• $250,000 to establish the Simulation Modeling Project Fund in Psychiatry
• $100,000 to the Health, Spirituality and Religion Program Fund
• $80,000 for Paws4Patients 
• $50,000 to the Care & Cure Institute Pediatric Epilepsy Fellowship Fund
• $25,000 to Michael M. Johns, M.D., and Trina L. Johns IHPI Fund and to the IHPI Clinician Scholars Program Fund 
• $25,000 to establish the H H Bell Jr M.D. Opportunity Fund to support the Black Medical Association for the area of highest need 
• $25,000 to support the Brandon ICU nurses and Little Victors League
• $20,000 to support Nursing at Michigan

As one way to thank our donors, development’s stewardship team created a flipbook that was sent to 13,605 individuals to demonstrate the impact their gifts are having, which you might find interesting, too. 

Stewardship is also preparing its first report to donors who make tribute gifts to remember or celebrate a friend or loved one. 

In 2021, the most recent year for which there is complete data, Michigan Medicine received $4.9 million in tribute gifts. Almost 70% of this total came from gifts of $100 or less, and just under 40% of this total, or about $1.9 million, came from gifts of $50 or less.

Some of Michigan Medicine’s most dedicated supporters are part of the student group Dance Marathon at the University of Michigan. The DMUM leadership team (pictured above with some Development colleagues) was awarded the David B. Hermelin Award, U-M’s highest honor for volunteer leadership. DMUM is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for pediatric therapies at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

Fundraising events and digital campaigns also play a key role in raising awareness and funds. Last fall, the Milestones, Memories and Momentum event celebrating the legacy of Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital raised over $575,000 for Little Victors. More recently, a collaborative Valentines for the Little Victors effort, which ran from February 3 through February 13, invited Mott supporters to send valentines to our patients with an option to also send a gift. The final result: more than $18,000 for the Mott Annual Fund, with 827 individuals making a donation.

The Office of Development is working on a wide range of initiatives to continue to engage our patients and our community.

“We are immensely grateful for the steadfast partnership of everyone throughout Michigan Medicine,” said Eric Barritt, senior associate vice president and chief development officer. “I look forward to advancing medicine through philanthropy throughout the year and beyond.”