History of Foundation

Community support key to Franklin General Hospital's past and future

Franklin General Hospital has successfully served the healthcare needs of the people in the Franklin County region for over 100 years. A large part of this success is attributed to the unparalleled commitment of the community to support the facility. From the creation of the original hospital association in 1915 to recent renovations and the purchase of new medical equipment, members of the community have been critical in ensuring that quality healthcare was available in Franklin County.

An example of this support is best seen through the development and efforts of the FGH Foundation. Created in 1992, the mission of the Foundation is: to solicit and administer contributions and gifts for the general welfare of FGH; and to promote and advance area-wide programs designed to improve the health of the people in the communities served by FGH.

When the Foundation was originally created in 1992, its focus was on raising funds for capital projects including a new ambulance garage, remodeling the emergency department, and adding specialty clinic rooms, and later for constructing a clinic addition on the hospital.

More than 3.5 million dollars given

Since then, friends of the Foundation have contributed more than 3.5 million dollars. Giving includes not only capital campaigns and bequests, but also annual fund giving and memorials, as well as restricted gifts for specific projects. The Foundation has helped with the construction of hospital additions in the 1990s and a complete renovation in 2010-2012, as well as the purchase of medical equipment for surgery, radiology, cardiac rehab, the emergency room, inpatient care, and the clinics. Other projects have included landscaping, furnishing the common areas of the Franklin Prairie Apartments, and constructing new signage for our campus. 

How can you help?

Contributions may be made to the FGH Foundation in the form of cash or check donations, trust funds, appreciated securities, bequests in wills, and gifts of property and insurance. The FGH Foundation also accepts contributions as memorial funds in memory of a loved one or to commemorate a special event or to honor a relative, friend or business colleague.

Foundation gifts help FGH purchase new equipment, renovate patient care areas, initiate new health care programs, and provide expanded services to those in need. Donations to the endowment fund provide for the long-term support of Franklin General Hospital; only the interest earned from those funds may be used at any given time; the principal remains in the fund to provide a solid base of support for the future.

Contributions to the FGH Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, are treated as a charitable deduction for federal income, gift and estate purposes. The Foundation Board welcomes donations of personal property, stocks and bonds, or trusts and estate, as well as cash gifts.