About the OHSU Foundation

OHSU depends on you.

OHSU has designated two independent nonprofit foundations — the Oregon Health & Science University Foundation and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation. The foundations exist to secure private philanthropic support for OHSU, and to invest and manage gifts responsibly in accordance with donors’ wishes. Each year tens of thousands of donors contribute millions of dollars in financial support to OHSU through these organizations. The foundations also oversee the efforts of hundreds of volunteers who participate in community-based fund-raising programs and events supporting OHSU.

This broad range of support places OHSU among Oregon’s top beneficiaries of private philanthropy. And it makes the OHSU Foundation, with more than $419 million in assets, the largest public university foundation in Oregon — and among the top higher education funds in America.

The OHSU Foundation also administers a separate grant-making program, the Medical Research Foundation awards, supporting biomedical research in Oregon by new investigators. On average, 10 seed grants of up to $30,000 each are awarded quarterly. Additional awards honor outstanding mentors.

Both the OHSU Foundation and Doernbecher Foundation are governed by boards of trustees made up of business, civic and philanthropic leaders. Trustees are responsible for formulating long-range goals and policies while a full-time staff manage day-to-day operations.