Rockford Memorial Development Foundation

Information about the Foundation

In 1883, Rockford’s leading citizens banded together to raise funds and establish the city’s first hospital. Over the next 120-plus years, that first cottage hospital has grown and developed to become Rockford Health System, the region’s largest provider of medical services. Philanthropy has been a part of the growth and development from those first days to the present.

Today, the Rockford Memorial Development Foundation is the fundraising arm of Rockford Health System. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity and gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible to the extent of the law.

Gifts to the Foundation support virtually every area of care at Rockford Health System including the “tiny miracle” patients in our renowned Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, our oncology patients fighting cancer, trauma patients brought to us after an accident or injury, children of all ages being treated in pediatrics or pediatric intensive care, or fragile elderly patients who receive care in their homes thanks to our Visiting Nurses Association…. and many more.

Charitable gifts to the Foundation help:

• underwrite the latest technology for medical excellence at Rockford Health System,
• fund facilities that improve caregiver effectiveness and enhance the patient experience,
• support programs that improve the health of the community,
• provide education and training opportunities for nurses, therapists, physicians and other caregivers,
• promote the medicine of tomorrow through clinical research, and
• make special projects happen to benefit the patients of our health care system.

Click on any of these links below to find out more about how you can join the donors, volunteers and other friends of the Rockford Memorial Development Foundation.

Make a Gift
Gifts made by generous donors to the Rockford Memorial Development Foundation support the work of our expert physicians, nurses, therapists and other caregivers to change lives and save lives every day at Rockford Health System! With your gift to the Foundation, you may choose to honor caregivers or pay tribute to a loved one.

Fundraising Focus for the Year
Each year the Rockford Memorial Development Foundation selects a significant fundraising project to promote medical excellence, patient care and comfort. Read about our exciting plans.

Wishbook
A tradition since the 1970s, each year the Foundation publishes a catalogue of “wishes” – care and comfort items from medical departments throughout Rockford Health System. Donor gifts help make these wishes come true!

RHS Ambassadors
The RHS Ambassadors is a group of professionals, business executives, community leaders and other friends of Rockford Health System who enjoy networking, learning about the latest advances in medicine, and supporting the “superior care” mission of Rockford Health System. We welcome new Ambassadors!

Triumvirate Recognition Society
We count the members of the Triumvirate Recognition Society among the most loyal friends and supporters of the Rockford Memorial Development Foundation. Learn how you can become eligible for Triumvirate recognition.

Foundation Events & Photos
Enjoy photos from Foundation events and make plans to join us for future events.

External Grants
Each year, the Rockford Memorial Development Foundation provides support to community organizations that partner with Rockford Health System to improve the health of the community. For more information, please see the External Grant and AED guidelines and application forms.

Special Appeals                                                                                                                              From time to time, the Rockford Memorial Development Foundation develops special appeals to fund specific projects on behalf of the health system.

Memorials and Planned Giving                                                                                                       Many donors to the Rockford Memorial Development Foundation are looking for an appropriate way to honor or memorialize a loved one. Donors work with the Foundation to determine appropriate projects, services or special needs that can be supported by gifts.

Named Endowments
Endowments are a powerful way for donors to establish a legacy that will benefit the community for years to come. Because an endowment is structured to protect the gift principal and spend only investment proceeds, the charitable purpose continues to be funded year after year.