Y.C. Ho/Helen & Michael Chiang Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,926,950 (2023)
• Total Assets: $78,949,700 (2024)
• Number of Grants: 58 grants (2023)
• Grant Range: $45,000 - $100,000+ (fellowship programs); varies by program type
• Geographic Focus: Primarily New York City metropolitan area (two-thirds of grantmaking), with some regional and national programs
• Total Awarded Since Inception: Over $25 million to palliative care programs
• Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: Park West Finance Station, P.O. Box 20845, New York, NY 10025

Email: info@hochiangfoundation.org

Website: http://www.hochiangfoundation.org

Executive Director: Carol Gallo

Overview

The Y.C. Ho/Helen & Michael Chiang Foundation was established in 2004 through a charitable bequest from the late Y.C. Ho and has been governed since inception by his family members, the Chiangs. With total assets exceeding $78 million and over $25 million awarded to date, the foundation is a significant force in palliative care philanthropy. The foundation's mission is to improve palliative care and the quality of life for persons of all age groups with serious illnesses, with a vision that all adults and children facing serious illness will have access to collaborative, supportive (palliative) care. The foundation operates as a low-profile family foundation and was honored with a 2020 Presidential Citation from the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) for making significant contributions to the field of hospice and palliative medicine.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Fellowship and Training Programs (70% of grantmaking) The foundation's primary focus is addressing the acute palliative care workforce shortage through interdisciplinary education and training grants. Fellowship grants typically range from $45,000-$100,000 per year, often renewable for an additional year following evaluation. The foundation has awarded AAHPM $90,000 grants in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and $100,000 in 2025 to support hospice and palliative medicine fellowship training programs.

Supported disciplines include:

• Physicians (adult and pediatric hospice and palliative medicine)
• Nurses and Nurse Practitioners
• Social Workers
• Chaplains
• Other interdisciplinary clinicians

Program Development and Support Grants The foundation also supports palliative care program development, bereavement services, goals of care initiatives, and educational resources.

Priority Areas

Education and Training (70% of grantmaking)

• Fellowship programs for hospice and palliative medicine physicians
• Advanced practice nurse training in palliative care
• Social work fellowships in palliative care
• Chaplaincy training programs
• Interdisciplinary team education

Pediatric Palliative Care (30% of serious illness-related funding) The foundation takes special interest in pediatric patients and their families, directing nearly 30% of its serious illness-related funding toward this population.

Workforce Development Addressing the acute shortage of trained palliative care professionals across all disciplines.

Supportive Services

• Bereavement programs
• Goals of care conversations
• Patient and family support services
• Advance care planning initiatives

Geographic Focus

Two-thirds of grantmaking is focused on New York, New York, particularly the New York City metropolitan area, though the foundation also funds regional and national programs that align with its mission. The foundation states that although it hopes 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.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Organizations outside the palliative care field would not be considered.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Carol Gallo

Governance: The foundation has been governed since inception by family members of the late Y.C. Ho, the Chiangs (Helen Ho and Michael Chiang).

The foundation operates as a private family foundation with a focused mission and strategic approach to grantmaking in palliative care.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Applications are by invitation only and are completed online. The foundation does not consider unsolicited inquiries and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, organizations working in palliative care in the New York City metropolitan area may increase their visibility by:

• Demonstrating excellence in palliative care: The foundation supports organizations that are advancing the field through innovative training programs and high-quality clinical care.

• Focusing on workforce development: Given that 70% of their grantmaking goes to education and training, programs that address the palliative care workforce shortage through interdisciplinary team training are of particular interest.

• Engaging with professional organizations: The foundation has longstanding relationships with organizations like AAHPM. Being active in professional palliative care associations may increase visibility.

• Emphasizing pediatric palliative care: With 30% of funding directed toward pediatric populations, programs serving seriously ill children and their families align with foundation priorities.

• Building a track record: The foundation appears to support established programs and institutions with proven capacity to train palliative care professionals.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a family foundation that operates by invitation only, the decision-making process is internal and likely tied to when the board meets (typically once or twice per year for private family foundations).

Reapplication Policy

Since applications are by invitation only, there is no formal reapplication process. Organizations that have previously received funding may be invited to apply for renewal or new grants based on program evaluation and alignment with foundation priorities.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

Interdisciplinary Approach: The foundation prioritizes interdisciplinary education and training for doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other clinicians. Programs that train collaborative care teams are particularly valued.

Focus on Workforce Shortage: The foundation explicitly states that addressing the acute palliative care workforce shortage is its main priority. Programs should demonstrate how they contribute to building the pipeline of trained palliative care professionals.

Quality Education and Training: The foundation supports rigorous fellowship programs and educational initiatives. Programs should offer structured training experiences with clear learning objectives and outcomes.

Pediatric Expertise: Nearly 30% of funding goes to pediatric palliative care. Programs serving children with serious illnesses and their families are a distinct priority area.

New York City Focus: While the foundation makes some national grants, two-thirds of funding stays in New York, particularly the NYC metropolitan area. Local presence matters.

Established Institutions: Recent grant recipients include major academic medical centers and well-established hospice and palliative care organizations, suggesting the foundation supports institutions with proven capacity.

Recent Grant Recipients as Examples

The foundation has supported numerous leading institutions including:

• Boston Children's Hospital (Pediatric Advanced Care Team Social Work Fellowship)
• The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation (Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship)
• Columbia University Irving Medical Center (Pediatric Palliative Care Social Worker)
• Mount Sinai/Center to Advance Palliative Care (General Support)
• NYU Langone-Hassenfeld Children's Hospital (Pediatric Palliative Care Social Worker)
• University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Children's Hospital Foundation (2024-2025 Ho/Chiang Foundation Grant Award recipient)
• Calvary Hospital (Bereavement Programs)
• George Mark Children's House (Pediatric Palliative Care Nursing Education)
• Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (APRN POLARIS Program)

Foundation Recognition

The foundation was awarded a 2020 Presidential Citation from AAHPM, with Presidential Citations given to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the field of hospice and palliative medicine. This recognition underscores the foundation's significant impact on advancing palliative care through strategic grantmaking.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder - You cannot submit an unsolicited application. Organizations must be identified and invited by the foundation to apply.

• 70% of funding goes to education and training - If your organization runs fellowship programs or trains interdisciplinary palliative care teams, you align with their primary funding priority.

• Pediatric palliative care receives 30% of funding - Programs serving children with serious illnesses have a distinct advantage.

• New York City is the primary geographic focus - Organizations in the NYC metropolitan area receive two-thirds of funding, though some regional and national programs are supported.

• Interdisciplinary is key - The foundation explicitly values training for nurses, social workers, chaplains, and physicians working as collaborative teams.

• Build relationships through professional networks - The foundation's long partnership with AAHPM and support for major academic medical centers suggests that engagement in professional palliative care communities may increase visibility.

• Focus on workforce shortage - Frame your programs in terms of how they address the critical shortage of trained palliative care professionals across disciplines.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Y C Ho Helen & Michael Chiang Foundation (EIN 05-0613835). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/50613835. Accessed February 27, 2026.

2. Ho Chiang Foundation Official Website. http://www.hochiangfoundation.org/. Accessed February 27, 2026.

3. Grantmakers In Health - The Y.C. Ho/Helen & Michael Chiang Foundation. https://www.gih.org/grantmaker-focus/the-y-c-ho-helen-michael-chiang-foundation/. Accessed February 27, 2026.

4. American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) - Ho/Chiang Foundation Education Grants. https://aahpm.org/career-resources/professionals-in-training/educationgrants/. Accessed February 27, 2026.

5. Cause IQ - The Y C Hohelen and Michael Chiang Foundation. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/y-c-ho-helen-michael-chiang-foundation,050613835/. Accessed February 27, 2026.

6. Candid Foundation Directory - The Y C Hohelen and Michael Chiang Foundation. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=CHIA011. Accessed February 27, 2026.

7. Philanthropy New York - The Y.C. Ho/Helen and Michael Chiang Foundation. https://philanthropynewyork.org/redhen/org/566. Accessed February 27, 2026.

8. Ho Chiang Foundation - Recent Grants. http://www.hochiangfoundation.org/recent-grants. Accessed February 27, 2026.

9. Ho Chiang Foundation - Grantmaking Guidelines. http://www.hochiangfoundation.org/grantmaking-guidelines. Accessed February 27, 2026.

10. Ho Chiang Foundation - About Us. http://www.hochiangfoundation.org/about-us. Accessed February 27, 2026.