Charting a New Course With Planned Giving

Over the past year, MWPH has focused on reinvigorating the Horizon Society, our hospital's planned giving program. Planned giving is an increasingly popular choice for people of any age who wish to give a legacy gift of support to organizations they care about — like MWPH.

"When I brought my son to MWPH for services, I was so moved by what I saw our patients and their families experiencing. They were facing serious health situations, but at the same time, there was such a sense of joy," said Horizon Society Chair Heather (Hoffman) Keane. "We saw kids focused on moving forward to heal, grow and thrive."

Many of the specialty services that set MWPH apart, from the child life and therapeutic recreation department to the famous Abilities Adventures patient trips, are not reimbursable by any private health plan or government insurer. At any age, from your 20s to your 90s and beyond, you can make a difference for MWPH by joining the Horizon Society via a planned estate gift.

What Makes the Horizon Society Special?

To support the mission of MWPH and the Horizon Society, a council of experienced advisors has been established and is chaired by Ms. Keane, a former patient parent, member of the MWP Foundation Board and Senior Vice President at M&T Bank. Planned gifts go into the hospital's endowment, which is carefully invested. Proceeds from those investment gains flow out to the hospital's programs and services, in alignment with donors' wishes.

The society is further supported by Jennifer Meyerhoff, MWPH's director of major gifts. "The Horizon Society is a wonderful way for our most important stakeholders to ensure that MWPH is able to continue to provide such outstanding care for decades to come," Meyerhoff said. "Because we are not reimbursed for so much of what we do, we rely on our endowment to enable us to provide innovative programing and special services that really make a difference for these children and their families. The Horizon Society is a key part of those efforts."

Why give to the Horizon Society?

The Horizon Society is a classic example of a win-win. MWPH benefits in the future from a planned gift, giving the hospital's endowment continuing support. Donors pay nothing now and can receive valuable tax benefits depending on their gift. Best of all, through the Horizon Society, individuals and families can ensure that they'll leave a legacy that aligns with their values, supporting an organization dedicated to maximizing children's health and independence. 

"Many people want to make sure that their money goes where it can do the most good, and getting those wishes down on paper through planned giving is a simple way to make sure that happens," Keane said. "I can't think of a better place than MWPH to support with my legacy gift."