Have questions?
The information below may help answer some of your questions about our giving opportunities.
FAQ
Plan a Fundraiser
How long should I expect to wait for event approval?
Upon submission of your event information form, please allow 3-5 business days for a response. Please provide as much detail as possible on the form to help expedite the process.
Can I use the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford name?
When using the hospital name for your event, you must use the phrase “benefiting Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford,” i.e. “Walk-a-Thon benefiting Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.”
Can I use the hospital’s logo?
Upon approval, you may use our hospital’s logo on any collateral (website, flyer, banner, etc.) that you create for your event. Once your event is approved, we will provide the official logo. Logo use will be established on a case-by-case basis and is not permitted for corporate events.
How can I get the word out about my event?
We have the following tools available for you to get the word out about your event:
● Champions Pages is a perfect way to raise support online
● Create a flyer using our hospital’s logo or use one of our flyer templates to place around the community
● Post your event on our events calendar
How can I use Champions Pages as a way to promote my event?
It's fun and easy to create a personalized Champions Page to collect online donations! With this simple tool, you can share your story, watch your progress, and send thank you notes to supporters. Get started today by completing the online form. Then, we can help you optimize your page, create a custom URL, and more! Create your page today!
Can I use Champions Pages to sell goods or services like tickets to an event, items, etc?
All donations submitted through Champions Pages are treated as 100 percent tax-deductible. You may not offer any goods or services in exchange for a gift to your page as this will limit the tax-deductibility of the gift.
Will someone from the hospital or the Foundation be present at my event?
Because of the large demand for clinical and support staff time, we cannot guarantee that someone will be able to attend your event to represent the hospital. However, each event is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Can I use your tax identification number?
Although we cannot provide you with our tax identification number, we are happy to send your donors a tax receipt if they make their checks payable to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.
How do I ensure all of my donors will receive a tax receipt or participation thank you letter?
All individual checks made payable to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford will receive a tax receipt in accordance with IRS standards, as well as a participation thank you letter.
Do I need to be a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization to host an event?
No, anyone can host a fundraising event. If you are currently with an organization that claims 501(c)(3) status and people make checks out to your organization, we cannot give them tax receipts. We are happy to send participant thank you letters specific to your event.
Will I be reimbursed for expenses?
We do not fund or financially support community fundraising events. We ask that you limit costs to 50 percent to ensure your donors’ support reaches our hospital.
Can I donate toys, books, or other in-kind items to the hospital?
We are always in need of in-kind gifts, craft kits, books for all reading levels, and gift cards. We can only accept new toys in the box or with the tag. Please complete our online form, and we’d be happy to assist you in planning your toy or book drive.
Where and when can I deliver toys, books, and other in-kind items?
Please deliver all toys, books, and in-kind items to the information desk located just inside the hospital’s main entrance at 725 Welch Road in Palo Alto. Drop-off times are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. You can find driving directions here. Parking is free for the first hour.
Can I personally deliver my donations and/or in-kind gifts to the children?
All monetary donations should be submitted directly to the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health (400 Hamiltion Ave., Suite 340, Palo Alto, CA, 94301). Due to our infection control policy and to protect the privacy of our patients, we do not allow donors to distribute items directly to patients. In-kind donations should be delivered to the information desk at the hospital and are distributed to patients by hospital staff. Call (650) 497-8005 for more information.
More questions? We're here to help!
Major Gifts
What is the difference between endowed and expendable funds?
Expendable funds are used in their entirety over a specific period of time. They are spent as directed by the donor and can fund a variety of purposes such as research, uncompensated care, family support programs, community outreach, or facilities.
Endowed funds and endowments, such as an Endowed Professorship or Research Fund, last in perpetuity. These gifts are invested for the long term and are meant to provide a permanent source of financial support to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford or the child health programs at Stanford University School of Medicine. Each year a portion of the fund is paid out, generally around 5 percent, and used for the purposes agreed upon by the donor and the hospital or School of Medicine at the time of the gift.
What is the minimum gift level to establish an endowment?
The minimum gift level to establish an endowed fund is $100,000.
Who manages the endowment?
The endowment is pooled within the university’s endowment and is managed by Stanford Management Company. Stanford Management Company is a division of the University, governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Board of Trustees of Stanford University.
Can I pledge a large gift over time rather than an outright gift right now?
Yes. Many donors find it easier to give sizeable gifts by making a multi-year pledge rather than giving a lump sum. Pledges can be committed in one year and paid over a period of up to five years. We ask donors to commit to such a pledge in writing so that hospital and School of Medicine programs can count those funds in their budgeting for the time period of the gift.
Are there minimum giving levels for large gift opportunities?
Gift Opportunity
Endowed Professorship - $4 million
Endowed Directorship - $3 million
Endowed Fellowship - $2 million
Endowed Faculty Scholar Award - $2 million
Program or Research Endowment - $100,000 and above
Program Support Funds - $100,000 and above
Building Funds - $100,000 and above
How will my gift be recognized? How will I know how my gift is being used?
The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health publishes an annual report on giving and recognizes donors on a donor wall in the hospital. Unless you have asked to be anonymous, your name may appear on the wall at the appropriate gift level.
Donors who have established endowed funds or larger expendable funds will receive an annual report on the use of their gift. Reporting may include a written update or an in-person meeting. Annual financial reports are sent to all donors of endowed funds.
In addition, donors are recognized in various gift societies based on the level of support.
Whom should I contact to discuss a large gift opportunity?
To learn more, please email or call Nao Shin-Williams at
(650) 497-0718.
Donor Advised Funds
What is a DAF?
A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is an investment account for charitable dollars. You can easily set it up and fund it with assets when the timing makes sense (e.g. for tax reasons). Then, you can hold the funds there and let them invest and grow, while you decide which specific charities you want to support over time.
I created a DAF. Now, how do I use it to make gifts?
You simply contact the administrator of the DAF and let them know you have a grant recommendation. Many even allow you to do this online and track your prior gifts. The fund administrator will then reach out to the charity and let them know the gift is coming.
Does the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health accept gifts from DAFs?
Yes! Many of our supporters give in this way.
Stocks and Securities
How do I make a gift of stock?
- Contact your broker to arrange the gift. You may use the printable securities transfer form to make electronic transfers directly into our brokerage accounts. Please send the form to your broker and fax us a copy at (650) 498-7557.
- Be sure to indicate if your gift should be directed to an area other than the Children's Fund or if your gift is in honor or in memory of someone special.
- Do you not have a broker? Or do you have a certificate that you would like to give? Call our Development Services team at (650) 497-8141 to arrange the gift and to obtain instructions on how to transfer the certificate.
Are other brokerage accounts available?
Yes. Please contact our Development Services team at (650) 497-8141 for additional account information.
Can I use stocks and securities in my estate planning?
Stocks and securities are commonly involved in planning your estate. This type of asset can fund various gift planning vehicles, and can be part of your estate planning considerations. To learn more, contact our Gift Planning team.
Tribute Gifts
What is a tribute gift?
A tribute gift to our hospital can celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary, or wedding; or it can serve as a meaningful way to honor the life of a loved one. Gifts can be directed either to the Children’s Fund, which supports the hospital’s most critical needs in pediatric research, care for all, and family and community services, or to research programs in child health at Stanford University School of Medicine. To recognize your generosity, we will send you an acknowledgment letter that also serves as your tax receipt.
How can I make a tribute gift to the hospital?
The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health is the sole fundraising agent for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford and the child health programs at Stanford University School of Medicine. To ensure that your gift is received and processed properly, please pick from one of these four convenient giving options:
1. Online: Use our secure online donation form.
2. Champions Pages: Champions Pages are perfect if you’re honoring the memory of someone special or if you’re gathering donations in lieu of gifts for a birthday or wedding. It’s easy to build a page and invite friends and family to support your efforts. With our simple, online fundraising tools you can watch your progress and send thank you messages to supporters. Visit ChampionsPages.org to create a personalized honorary or memorial gifts page.
3. Mail: Complete and mail in our downloadable donation form (PDF) with your check or credit card information to:
Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health
Attn: Development Services
400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 340
Palo Alto, CA 94301
4. Phone: Call the Development Services Department at (650) 497-8141.
Can I donate by sending my credit card information via fax or email?
For your protection, we do not accept credit card information via unsecured communications such as fax or email. Please use our secure online donation form or mail in our downloadable donation form (PDF). You may also call (650) 497-8141 to give over the phone.
How do I direct friends and family to make gifts to the hospital in memory of a loved one?
Directing gifts in memory of a loved one can be a meaningful way of marking their passing. The suggested language below may be used in an obituary or memorial notice:
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. Gifts can be made online at supportLPCH.org/donate or by check payable to: Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, 400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 340 Palo Alto, CA 94301‐1805.
Or, consider creating a Champions Page where you can customize a personal fundraising page to support the hospital.
Can I obtain a list of individuals who have made gifts in my honor or in memory of a family member?
The Foundation can supply you with a comprehensive spreadsheet listing the names and addresses of all donors who have made a tribute gift. Please call (650) 497‐8141 to request this information. The list will reflect the number of donations and total amount received, but will not specify individual gift amounts. If you have created a Champions Page, an up-to-date donor list will be available on your fundraising page.
How do I direct my tribute gift to a special area at the hospital or School of Medicine?
If you wish to support a specific area of interest, please call us at (650) 497‐8141 to discuss the available fund designations. If you are the family member of a deceased individual, or a friend calling on behalf of a bereaved family, you can also request that all memorial donations be directed to a specific fund. If you are creating a Champions Page, please email us for more details.
My friends and family have written tribute gift checks payable to me. Is the Foundation able to process these gifts and subsequently receipt and acknowledge the donors?
If you would like to direct checks payable to you as donations to the hospital, please sign the checks over to the Foundation by endorsing the back. Please keep in mind that in doing so, you become the donor and will receive the tax receipt. We can send a letter to acknowledge the individual who wrote the check, but due to official IRS regulations, that individual will not receive tax credit for the charitable donation.
Do you have donation envelopes available that I can distribute at an upcoming celebration or memorial service?
Yes, we would be happy to send you pre‐printed donation envelopes addressed to the Foundation, including the required fields to make a tribute gift. Please call us at (650) 497‐8141.
Who should I contact if I am planning a benefit event?
Before you get started on planning your event, please visit the Plan a Fundraiser section of our website, or email us. Our staff will walk you through the approval process and will give you tools for a successful event.
Will you send a card to acknowledge my tribute gift?
Yes. Please provide the name and address of the person you want to notify. A card, featuring patient artwork, will be sent to the person you specify.
Will they know who gave the gift?
Yes. Your name and mailing address will be included in the acknowledgement card.
Will they know how much I gave?
No. We will simply acknowledge that a gift has been made without mention of the amount.
Who should I contact for more information?
Call our Development Services Department at (650) 497-8141.