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Virtua Health Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$10.1M
Grant Range
$922K - $4.4M

Virtua Health Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ~$10-13 million in grants
  • Total Assets: $109.2 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: $922,000 - $4,375,000 (to major recipients)
  • Geographic Focus: South Jersey (Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties)
  • Application Method: No public grant application process for external organizations

Contact Details

Office of Philanthropy 303 Lippincott Drive, 4th Floor Marlton, NJ 08053

Overview

Virtua Health Foundation Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2002 in New Jersey. The foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of Virtua Health, a major nonprofit health system serving Southern New Jersey. With total assets of approximately $109 million, the foundation raises funds to support vital programs in patient care, health education, technology, and innovation across the Virtua Health network.

The foundation operates under the tagline "Transforming health care through philanthropy" and describes itself as "100% Local. 100% Impact." In 2023, the foundation distributed over $10 million in grants, primarily to Virtua Health entities and affiliated organizations like the Rowan University Foundation. The organization has earned a 3-Star rating (89%) from Charity Navigator, with a program expense ratio of approximately 95%, indicating that the vast majority of funds are directed toward its mission rather than administrative costs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation's grants in 2023 were directed to three main recipients:

  1. Rowan University Foundation: $4,375,000 (clinical education and research)
  2. Virtua Health: $4,246,301 (medical education and programs)
  3. Auxiliary Board to Virtua-Memorial Hospital: $922,177 (medical equipment upgrades)

Priority Areas

The foundation supports 30+ specialized funds across the following initiative areas:

Healthcare Access & Prevention

  • Mobile Health and Cancer Screening Unit (3,100 screenings in 2024)
  • Pediatric Mobile Services (10,085 children served)
  • Cherry Hill Free Clinic (free primary care for uninsured residents)
  • Dental Center Camden (affordable dental care)

Food & Nutrition Security

  • Eat Well Food Access (mobile grocery store program)
  • Meals That Heal
  • Turkey and Produce Giveaway (1,000+ families annually)

Education & Workforce Development

  • Nursing Scholarship Fund (~$90,000 awarded in 2024)
  • EMT Training Academy
  • Clinical education partnerships with Rowan University

Patient & Family Support

  • Breast Care Comfort Fund ($1M+ allocated since 2009)
  • Camp Oasis (for children with parents battling cancer)
  • CASTLE Program (therapeutic services for children ages 3-15)
  • Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support
  • Visiting Paws Pet Therapy (32 certified therapy dogs)

Community Health

  • Advancing Well: Camden and Mount Holly
  • AED Community Initiative (100+ defibrillators distributed)
  • Behavioral Health Programs

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not operate a public grant program for external organizations. Funds raised are directed primarily to:

  • Virtua Health entities and programs
  • Rowan University Foundation (for clinical education)
  • Internal initiatives and affiliated organizations

External organizations seeking funding should explore partnership opportunities rather than traditional grant applications.

Governance and Leadership

Foundation Board Leadership

Damien M. Ghee - Chair (effective January 2023)

  • SVP and Regional Vice President, TD Bank (Greater Philadelphia Area)
  • 20+ years in financial services, commercial lending, and retail banking
  • Joined foundation board in 2017

Quote: "Growing up in Camden and seeing the challenges families and children continue to experience today has motivated me to give back through service."

John C. Gillespie - Vice Chair

  • Attorney at Parker McCay law firm (Mount Laurel, NJ)
  • 40 years of experience in local government law
  • Joined foundation board in 2019; Governance Committee chair since 2022

Senior Staff

  • Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE - President and CEO, Virtua Health
  • Sarah Fawcett-Lee, FAHP, CFRE - Senior VP and Chief Philanthropy Officer
  • Erin Viereck - Director of Grants (grants@virtua.org)

Recent Board Additions (2024)

  • Lori Lombardo (Principal, Entrepreneur Partners)
  • Brian Lynn (Managing Partner, Claritas Financial Partners)
  • Mike Saccomanno

Notable Trustees

  • Dr. Turner (Emergency Medicine physician, trustee since 2002)
  • Marques Colston (former NFL player, entrepreneur)
  • Brenda O'Brien (Vice President, SJI)
  • Bob Platzer (Founder, PJW Restaurant Group)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public grant application process for external organizations. The Virtua Health Foundation functions primarily as a supporting organization that raises funds for Virtua Health's programs and affiliated entities rather than distributing competitive grants to independent nonprofits.

For Internal Virtua Staff: If you are a Virtua Health clinician, administrator, or staff member interested in seeking grant funding for a program or service, contact grants@virtua.org. The Office of Philanthropy has grant writers who work with internal stakeholders to identify, develop, and write competitive grant proposals.

For External Organizations: The foundation works with Community Partners who host local fundraising events or initiatives. Interested organizations may contact the Office of Philanthropy at 856-355-0830 or gratitude@virtua.org to discuss partnership opportunities.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation collaborates with Community Partners including:

  • Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation
  • Joseph Lacroce Foundation
  • Ron Jaworski Golf
  • Local fire departments and community organizations
  • Corporate sponsors and event hosts

To become a Community Partner:

  1. Contact the Office of Philanthropy at gratitude@virtua.org
  2. Propose a fundraising event or initiative that aligns with Virtua's mission
  3. Work with the philanthropic partnerships team (Cheryl Kreckel, Manager of Philanthropic Partnerships - ckreckel@virtua.org)

Decision Timeline

Grant decisions are made internally by foundation leadership and the Virtua Health system. There is no published timeline for external applicants as no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no competitive grant program for external applicants.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not offer public grants to external organizations, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, for organizations seeking to partner with or be supported by Virtua Health Foundation:

Alignment with Mission: Programs must address health needs of the South Jersey community, particularly in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties.

Evidence-Based Approaches: The foundation emphasizes outcomes and impact. Their 2024 impact report tracks specific metrics like:

  • Number of patients served
  • Screening outcomes and referral rates
  • Community reach and accessibility

Local Focus: All initiatives are South Jersey-focused. The foundation states they are "100% Local. 100% Impact."

Health Equity Emphasis: Programs serving uninsured, underinsured, and underserved populations are prioritized. The Cancer Screening Unit provides 67% of screenings free to qualifying patients.

Collaboration with Virtua: Successful partnerships involve integration with Virtua Health's existing programs and clinical expertise.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Not a traditional grantmaker: Virtua Health Foundation raises funds to support Virtua Health's own programs and affiliated organizations. It does not operate a public grant application process for independent external nonprofits.

  • Internal-facing grants: The $10+ million distributed annually goes primarily to Virtua Health, Rowan University Foundation (for clinical education), and Virtua-affiliated entities.

  • Partnership opportunities exist: External organizations can become Community Partners by hosting fundraising events or initiatives that benefit Virtua programs.

  • Strong local focus: All funding is directed to South Jersey communities (Burlington, Camden, Gloucester counties).

  • Contact for partnerships: Reach out to gratitude@virtua.org or Cheryl Kreckel (ckreckel@virtua.org) to discuss potential collaborations.

  • For Virtua employees: Internal staff with program ideas should contact grants@virtua.org to work with the foundation's grant writing team.

  • High accountability standards: The foundation maintains a 95% program expense ratio and 3-Star Charity Navigator rating, indicating strong stewardship of funds.

References

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