Malcolm Rivera
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a nonprofit charity that has been operating since 1962 and is exempt from federal income taxes. It costs nearly $2 billion to sustain and grow St. Jude each year, with only 12% of the money coming from insurance recoveries. The hospital relies heavily on donations, and in recent years, there have been concerns about its fundraising practices and the impact on other hospitals' campaigns. While there is no evidence of direct donations from St. Jude to political campaigns, it is worth noting that organizations often influence politics through lobbying and that individuals associated with organizations can make donations independently.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does St. Jude donate to political campaigns anonymously? | No, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital did not donate to any political campaigns in the 2024 election cycle. However, individuals associated with the organization, such as members, employees, owners, and their immediate family members, may have made contributions. |
| St. Jude's financial situation | St. Jude has received approximately $7.3 billion in contributions over the past five fiscal years. About half of this amount went towards patient care and research, 30% covered fundraising costs, and 20% ($1 of every $5 donated) went to their reserve fund, which currently stands at $5.2 billion. |
| St. Jude's fundraising impact | St. Jude's fundraising efforts have faced criticism for potentially undercutting other hospitals' campaigns. The organization's large reserves and high ranking in cancer treatment have led to concerns about the impact on local hospitals and the distribution of funds raised. |
| Patient and family experiences | While St. Jude promises to cover treatment, travel, housing, and food expenses, some families have shared financial struggles, such as draining their savings and relying on additional fundraising methods like GoFundMe campaigns, to manage costs not covered by St. Jude. |
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What You'll Learn
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a non-profit charity
- The organisation itself does not donate to political campaigns
- Individuals associated with St. Jude can donate to political campaigns
- St. Jude's fundraising efforts have been criticised for undercutting other hospitals' campaigns
- St. Jude families have faced financial woes despite the organisation's promise to cover expenses
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a non-profit charity
St. Jude's unique approach to fundraising has led to concerns about undercutting other hospitals' campaigns. The hospital promises that families will never receive bills for treatment, travel, housing, or food, which sets it apart from other hospitals that rely heavily on insurance recoveries for revenue. This promise has resulted in St. Jude receiving more donations than other leading pediatric cancer hospitals. However, it has been noted that only about half of the donations received by St. Jude go towards research and patient care, with a significant portion allocated to fundraising operations and reserve funds.
Despite its substantial reserves, St. Jude relies heavily on donations to sustain and grow its operations. It costs nearly $2 billion annually to run the hospital, and this cost is projected to increase to $2.2 billion by 2027. The hospital's fundraising efforts have raised concerns about the influence of ""dark money"" in elections, as organizations like St. Jude cannot directly contribute to political campaigns or committees. Instead, money from individuals associated with the organization, such as members, employees, or owners, may be donated, potentially influencing policy and public opinion.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's non-profit charity status and tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code make donations tax-deductible. This status, combined with its mission to find cures and save children's lives, encourages supporters to contribute to its cause. The hospital's dedication to its patients and research has made it a trusted and influential institution in the healthcare landscape.
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The organisation itself does not donate to political campaigns
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a nonprofit charity that has been operating since 1962. It is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The hospital is dedicated to providing the best care for children facing cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It costs nearly $2 billion to sustain and grow St. Jude each year, and this cost is expected to increase to $2.2 billion by 2027. The hospital relies on donations to cover these costs, with only 12% of its funding coming from insurance recoveries.
While St. Jude does not donate to political campaigns itself, there have been concerns about its ubiquitous fundraising practices. Some doctors have stated that St. Jude's fundraising efforts may be undercutting other hospitals' campaigns. For example, pediatrician and former chairperson of pediatrics at Albany Medical Center, David Clark, noted that St. Jude raises significant funds in his region, but this does not directly benefit the local children with cancer as they are mostly treated at Albany Medical Center.
In addition to its direct impact on other hospitals' fundraising, St. Jude has also been criticised for its financial practices. According to financial filings with the Internal Revenue Service, only about half of the $7.3 billion St. Jude received in contributions over the past five fiscal years went towards hospital research and patient care. Approximately 30% was spent on fundraising operations, and the remaining 20% ($1 of every $5 donated) went into its reserve fund. This has led to concerns that St. Jude is hoarding billions while the families it serves drain their savings to cover various expenses not covered by the hospital.
Despite these criticisms, St. Jude maintains its commitment to ensuring that families never receive bills for treatment, travel, housing, or food. This allows families to focus solely on their child's health and well-being. However, it is important to note that the organisation itself does not engage in political donations, and any political contributions associated with it come from individual members, employees, owners, or their immediate family members.
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Individuals associated with St. Jude can donate to political campaigns
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a nonprofit charity that has been in operation since 1962 and is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It costs nearly $2 billion to sustain and grow St. Jude each year, with donations helping to ensure that families never receive bills for treatment, travel, housing, or food. While the organization itself did not donate to any political campaigns, individuals associated with St. Jude, including members, employees, owners, and their immediate family members, can donate to political campaigns. These donations are made to candidates and party committees at the federal and state levels, with organizations like OpenSecrets tracking the flow of money in American politics to strengthen democracy.
It is important to note that organizations themselves cannot contribute directly to candidates and party committees. However, individuals associated with St. Jude are free to make political donations as private citizens. These donations are reported to the Federal Election Commission and are made available to the public, ensuring transparency in the political funding process.
The data provided by OpenSecrets offers insights into the political contributions made by individuals connected to St. Jude. It is worth mentioning that St. Jude Children's Research Hospital had no identified affiliates in the 2024 election cycle, according to the information presented.
While St. Jude itself does not engage in political donations, the individuals associated with the organization are free to exercise their right to support political campaigns. These donations are separate from the funds raised to support the hospital's mission of providing treatment and care for children facing cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
In conclusion, while St. Jude Children's Research Hospital focuses on its charitable mission, individuals within its community exercise their right to participate in the political process through personal donations. This separation between organizational funds and individual contributions ensures compliance with legal requirements and allows those connected to St. Jude to engage in the political sphere independently.
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St. Jude's fundraising efforts have been criticised for undercutting other hospitals' campaigns
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has faced criticism for its fundraising efforts, with some arguing that its aggressive campaigns have negatively impacted other hospitals' abilities to raise funds.
St. Jude's is the largest and most highly regarded healthcare charity in the country. Its fundraisers employ a range of tactics, from sending out letters with emotional appeals and photographs of young cancer patients to featuring celebrity endorsements from the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Sofia Vergara in televised advertisements. In 2021, the hospital even sent a former patient as a crew member on the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission, taking its fundraising efforts to outer space.
These strategies have proven highly successful, with St. Jude's raising approximately $2 billion in 2021, a sum greater than the combined fundraising totals of the nine hospitals ranked above it in U.S. News & World Report's list of the country's top children's cancer hospitals. This has led to concerns that St. Jude's fundraising efforts are undermining those of other hospitals, particularly smaller, local institutions.
David Clark, a pediatrician and former longtime chairperson of pediatrics at Albany Medical Center in New York, expressed his concern that St. Jude's fundraising in his region does little to benefit local children with cancer since most are treated at Albany Medical. He is not alone in his sentiment, as other doctors interviewed by ProPublica have also encouraged donors to support hospitals closer to home.
The criticism highlights the complex nature of healthcare philanthropy and the potential unintended consequences of concentrated fundraising success. While St. Jude's has undoubtedly helped thousands of children and families, the impact on other hospitals' abilities to raise funds for their patients is a matter that warrants further consideration and dialogue within the healthcare community.
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St. Jude families have faced financial woes despite the organisation's promise to cover expenses
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, one of the largest healthcare charities in the US, promises that families will never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food. However, despite this promise, many St. Jude families have faced significant financial difficulties while seeking treatment for their children.
The hospital's fundraising efforts have been highly successful, with St. Jude raising more money in 2019 than the rest of the top 10 children's hospitals for cancer combined. As of 2024, the hospital has $5.2 billion in reserves, enough to run the institution for the next four and a half years without any additional donations. However, only about half of the $7.3 billion received in contributions over the past five fiscal years went towards patient care and research. The remaining funds were allocated to fundraising operations and reserve funds.
While St. Jude does not charge families for medical bills, it does not cover all the expenses associated with childhood cancer treatment. Families often face financial stress due to the loss of income when parents quit or take leave from their jobs to care for their child. This can lead to missed payments for cars, utilities, and cellphones, as well as eviction or foreclosure due to inability to pay rent or mortgages. In addition, St. Jude's charity has limits on payments for certain expenses, such as travel, which can be confusing for families.
Some families have turned to online fundraisers like GoFundMe to seek additional financial support. They have also organized concerts, yard sales, and other events to raise funds for expenses not covered by St. Jude. This includes a family who spent $10,000 in savings on treatment-related costs. The perception that St. Jude covers all expenses has made it challenging for these families to raise funds through alternative means. When families seek help from St. Jude social workers, they are often referred to smaller charities or government aid programs.
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Frequently asked questions
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not donate to political campaigns. However, some of its lobbyists have previously held government jobs.
Yes, individuals associated with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have donated to political campaigns. However, these donations are made by individuals and are not reflective of the organization's views or affiliations.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not spend money on political campaigns. However, it does have a significant lobbying presence, with lobbyists in 38 states that elect judges.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not have any direct relationships with political action committees (PACs). However, individuals associated with the organization may contribute to PACs in their personal capacity.
