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Y.C. Ho/Helen & Michael Chiang Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.9M
Grant Range
$45K - $0.1M

Y.C. Ho/Helen & Michael Chiang Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,926,950 (2023)
  • Total Awards: 58 grants (2023)
  • Grant Range: $45,000 - $100,000+ (typical fellowship/training programs)
  • Cumulative Giving: $25+ million to date in palliative care
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York City metropolitan area, with some regional/national programs
  • Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Foundation Name: The Y.C. Ho/Helen & Michael Chiang Foundation
Address: Park West Finance Station, P.O. Box 20845, New York, NY 10025
Email: info@hochiangfoundation.org
Website: http://www.hochiangfoundation.org/
EIN: 05-0613835

Overview

The Y.C. Ho/Helen & Michael Chiang Foundation was established in 2004 through a bequest from the late Y.C. Ho and began its grantmaking in 2008. The foundation is governed by family members Helen and Michael Chiang, who have served as directors since inception. With total assets supporting nearly $4 million in annual grantmaking, the foundation has awarded over $25 million in grants to palliative care programs to date. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for adults and children with serious illnesses, with particular emphasis on addressing the acute palliative care workforce shortage through interdisciplinary education and training. In 2020, the foundation received a Presidential Citation from the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine in recognition of its significant contributions to fellowship training programs in hospice and palliative care. Two-thirds of its grantmaking focuses on New York City organizations, while the remaining third supports regional and national programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Education & Workforce Development Grants (70% of annual grantmaking)

  • Interdisciplinary fellowship programs for physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains
  • Training programs for both adult and pediatric palliative care
  • Typical fellowship grants: $45,000 - $100,000
  • Multi-year support available for proven programs
  • Focus on building sustainable palliative care workforce

Service Expansion & Access Grants

  • Programs extending palliative care beyond traditional hospital settings
  • Initiatives ensuring equitable access for underserved populations
  • Integration of palliative care into various healthcare settings

Supporting Programs

  • Public education about palliative care and end-of-life preparation
  • Support services for caregivers and family members
  • Bereavement programs
  • Measuring and financing palliative care value

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

  • Interdisciplinary palliative care team training (doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains)
  • Pediatric palliative care (approximately 30% of funding)
  • Fellowship programs in hospice and palliative medicine
  • Workforce development to address acute staffing shortages
  • Service expansion beyond hospital settings

Special Emphasis:

  • Pediatric cases receive significant attention (30% of portfolio)
  • Training for non-physician clinicians (nurses, social workers, chaplains)
  • Programs that extend palliative care access to all who would benefit
  • Organizations in the New York City metropolitan area

What They Don't Fund

  • The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals
  • Organizations outside their identified strategic priorities
  • General operating support without connection to palliative care mission
  • Programs without clear connection to serious illness care quality improvement

Governance and Leadership

Directors: Helen and Michael Chiang (family members of founder Y.C. Ho)

The Chiangs have guided the foundation since its inception in 2004, maintaining close family oversight of grantmaking strategy. Under their leadership, the foundation has maintained a focused mission on palliative care while gradually expanding from initial health-focused grants in 2007 to establishing palliative care as their main program area by 2008.

Recognition: In 2020, the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine awarded the foundation a Presidential Citation, acknowledging its substantial contributions to fellowship training programs in hospice and palliative care.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Applications for grants from The Y.C. Ho/Helen and Michael Chiang Foundation are by invitation only and are completed online. Unsolicited proposals are not considered at this time.

The foundation identifies potential grantees through:

  • Its network within the palliative care community
  • Recommendations from existing grantees
  • Monitoring of palliative care program development nationally
  • Connections through professional organizations like AAHPM and Grantmakers in Health

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Timeline varies based on invitation-based process and board meeting schedules.

Success Rates

With 58 grants awarded in 2023 from an invitation-only process, traditional success rate metrics do not apply. Organizations invited to apply appear to have high approval rates given the pre-qualification inherent in the invitation process.

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only funder, the key to receiving support is being positioned within the palliative care field in a way that brings your work to their attention:

Alignment with Strategic Priorities:

  • The foundation is explicitly focused on "addressing the acute palliative care workforce shortage through interdisciplinary education and training grants"
  • Education and training programs must represent at least 70% of serious illness grantmaking
  • Approximately 30% of funding targets pediatric cases specifically
  • Programs should extend palliative care beyond traditional hospital settings

Geographic Considerations: The foundation states: "Although the Foundation hopes that its grants will ultimately help improve care of seriously ill patients across the United States, it is primarily interested in funding organizations in the New York City metropolitan area." Two-thirds of grants go to NYC-area organizations.

Demonstrated Excellence: The foundation has funded prestigious institutions including Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and multiple NYU and Columbia programs. Track record and reputation in palliative care matter.

Multi-Year Relationships: The foundation has made repeated grants to the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine ($90,000 in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and $100,000 in 2025), suggesting they value ongoing relationships with proven partners.

Interdisciplinary Approach: The foundation specifically emphasizes training "interdisciplinary palliative care teams" with "special focus on nurses, social workers, and chaplains" - not just physicians.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only process: Building visibility in the palliative care community is essential; this is not a funder you can approach cold
  • Workforce development dominance: 70% of funding goes to education and training - fellowship and workforce programs are the primary pathway to support
  • NYC geographic priority: Two-thirds of grants target New York City metropolitan area organizations
  • Pediatric emphasis: 30% of funding specifically targets children with serious illness - strong niche for pediatric palliative programs
  • Interdisciplinary focus: Programs training nurses, social workers, and chaplains (not just physicians) align with stated priorities
  • Proven partnerships valued: Multi-year relationships with organizations like AAHPM demonstrate preference for sustained support of effective programs
  • Prestigious institutional support: Track record shows funding for leading academic medical centers and children's hospitals - strong credentials and reputation matter

References

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