The Gila Regional Medical Center Foundation was organized in late 1989 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The purpose of the Foundation, as stated in its articles of incorporation, is to "concern itself with the procurement and extension of financial aid toward the operation, maintenance and modernization of facilities of Gila Regional Medical Center...to the end that the greatest amount of hospital and medical service may be extended to the greatest number of persons served by Gila Regional Medical Center."

The Foundation is a fund-raising entity, and 100 percent of donations to the Foundation are used to benefit the Gila Regional Medical Center health system's patients - none of the money is used for administration of the Foundation or medical center. This is accomplished with the help of Gila Regional, which provided personnel to do Foundation bookkeeping and other fund-management duties.

All Foundation spending decisions are made by the Foundation's 15 member board. Board members, who serve three year terms, are elected and represent a cross section of the community. Many have special knowledge in banking and finance, and lend their expertise to responsible management of the Foundation's funds. The Foundation bylaws dictate that the board will also include five non-voting members - the hospital administrator, a nursing staff representative, a medical staff representative, a member of Gila Regional's Board of Trustees, and a member of the hospital's auxiliary.

Foundation donors often earmark their gifts for specific programs or departments of Gila Regional. If a donation is made for an unspecified use, the Foundation Board, in consultation with hospital administration, determines how it will be spent.

Recently, the Foundation has financed the refurbishing and beautifying of patient rooms, equipment for Hospice and the rehabilitation center, and thousands of dollars worth of scholarship funding which help students who are pursuing educations in healthcare fields just to name a few.

To make a donation to Gila Regional Medical Center's Foundation or to get any other information about the Foundation, call 505-538-4870.