What Lee Health Foundation does

Lee Health Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization established in 1995 as the philanthropic arm of Lee Health, a community-focused nonprofit health system founded in 1916 in Southwest Florida. The Foundation mobilizes charitable contributions to support Lee Health's integrated delivery network, which comprises five hospitals (including the only children's hospital in the region, Golisano Children's Hospital), 80+ physician practice locations, and specialty institutes spanning cancer, cardiac care, pediatrics, and musculoskeletal services. In the past year the Foundation distributed more than $27 million to enhance patient care across a seven-county service area serving 1.4 million residents; cumulative donor impact has exceeded $500 million over 30 years.

The Foundation operates five revenue streams: individual donations (one-time and recurring monthly gifts with designation options), employee giving through payroll deduction (raising over $217,000 in 2026 from 14,000+ Lee Health team members), planned giving via the PlanMyGift.org platform, corporate point-of-sale campaigns through Children's Miracle Network partners (Costco, Dairy Queen, Ace Hardware, Valvoline), and event-based fundraising including the Madisen's Match Gala, Boston Red Sox Celebrity Classic, Minnesota Twins Celebrity Classic, and Porsche & Friends Parade. Donor acquisition is multi-channel: direct-to-consumer via website, email newsletters, and social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Vimeo); event-driven through signature galas and celebrity sporting events; channel-partner driven through retail point-of-sale rounding; and community-led through employee payroll deduction. Payment processing runs on Blackbaud.

The Foundation supports a portfolio of designated programs and funds including Barbara's Friends (pediatric cancer), Kids' Minds Matter (pediatric mental health, $10M+ raised since 2016), Little Red Wagon Fund, Sharon MacDonald Breast Health Fund, Compassionate Mammogram Fund, Shipley Cardiothoracic Center, and named clinics (Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Cancer Clinic). Major financial partners include B. Thomas Golisano ($20M challenge gift), Baycross Christian Family Foundation ($5M), SWFL Children's Charities ($3M), Shipley Foundation ($2.5M), Naples Children and Education Foundation, and SanCap Cares ($16M+ raised). The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees (Chair: Dominic Cameratta) and led by Chief Development, Marketing and Communications Officer Chris Simoneau. Lee Health itself converted from a public health system to a community-focused nonprofit in 2025 and is undergoing CEO transition with Ben Spence succeeding Dr. Larry Antonucci effective October 1, 2026.

Name

Lee Health Foundation

Legal name

Lee Health Foundation

Website

https://leehealthfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lee Health Foundation is a nonprofit that raises philanthropic funds for Lee Health's five-hospital Southwest Florida system, distributing $27M+ annually to support pediatric, cancer, cardiac, and musculoskeletal care across a seven-county region serving 1.4 million residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Philanthropy / Nonprofit Hospital Fundraising

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hospitals, Clinics & Charitable Healthcare Providers (BPAGACAB)

Keywords

• Healthcare philanthropy
• Nonprofit fundraising
• Charitable giving programs
• Hospital donations
• Community health fundraising

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Myers

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring gifts from individual donors made through the website, by mail, or in person. Donors can designate gifts to specific facilities (e.g., Golisano Children's Hospital, Cancer Institute) or to areas of greatest need.
2. Employee Giving (Team Member Giving): Lee Health employees contribute through payroll deduction (recurring) or one-time credit card donations. The program raised over $217,000 in 2026 and includes prize drawings as donor incentives.
3. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts including bequests, charitable remainder trusts, and other estate planning instruments through the PlanMyGift.org platform, allowing donors to create lasting philanthropic legacies.
4. Corporate Campaigns & Partnerships: Corporate partners (Costco, Dairy Queen, Ace Hardware, Valvoline, and others) drive donations at point of sale through rounding programs and checkout donations. These campaigns generate significant unrestricted revenue.
5. Event-Based Fundraising: Signature galas, auctions, parades, celebrity sporting events, and community runs generate major gifts and corporate sponsorships. The foundation's events include Madisen's Match Gala ($156,000+ in 2026), Boston Red Sox Celebrity Classic ($385,000 in 2026), and Porsche & Friends ($2.5M raised over 10 years).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Lee Health Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that raises philanthropic support on behalf of Lee Health, a community-focused nonprofit health system in Southwest Florida. It solicits and distributes donations to establish, expand, and enhance lifesaving and preventive healthcare programs across Lee Health's five hospitals and multiple specialty institutes, including Golisano Children's Hospital, the Cancer Institute, Heart Institute, and Musculoskeletal Institute. The foundation distributed more than $27 million in funding in the past year, with donor commitment totaling over $500 million of impact over 30 years.

Product overview

Lee Health Foundation is a nonprofit philanthropic organization that raises funds to support Lee Health's healthcare system in Southwest Florida. The foundation supports a portfolio of major healthcare institutes and programs including Lee Health Cancer Institute, Lee Health Heart Institute, Golisano Children's Hospital, and Lee Health Musculoskeletal Institute. Additional programs include Barbara's Friends (pediatric cancer fund), Kids' Minds Matter (pediatric mental health), Team Member Giving (employee giving program), and various designated funds such as Little Red Wagon Fund, Sharon MacDonald Breast Health Fund, and Compassionate Mammogram Fund. The foundation distributed over $27 million last year to enhance patient care throughout its five-county region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Barbara's Friends: A fund supporting children and families facing cancer and life-threatening blood disorders at Golisano Children's Hospital. Founded in 1995 by Frank and Betty Haskell in honor of their daughter, Barbara's Friends has raised more than $20 million.
• Team Member Giving
• Shipley Cardiothoracic Center
• Little Red Wagon Fund
• Kids' Minds Matter

Products and services

• Lee Health Cancer Institute Comprehensive cancer care center providing treatment, research, clinical trials, and survivorship programs for cancer patients in Southwest Florida. Donors can designate gifts to support the institute's programs.
• Lee Health Heart Institute Cardiovascular care center recognized as PINC AI Top 50 Cardiology Hospital offering cardiac surgery, advanced heart failure care, and women's heart health programs, supported by donor contributions.
• Golisano Children's Hospital The only children's hospital in Southwest Florida providing pediatric care including NICU, PICU, pediatric surgery, oncology, and specialty services for children, supported by donor contributions.
• Lee Health Musculoskeletal Institute Musculoskeletal care program including orthopedics, spine, arthritis, and sports medicine services to prevent, treat, and rehabilitate musculoskeletal injuries, supported by donor contributions.
• Barbara's Friends Pediatric Cancer Fund Fund supporting children and families at Golisano Children's Hospital facing cancer and blood disorders with expert medical care, emotional support, and financial assistance. Founded in 1995 by Frank and Betty Haskell in honor of their daughter Barbara.
• Kids' Minds Matter Pediatric mental and behavioral health initiative addressing the critical shortage of mental healthcare services for children in Southwest Florida. Has raised over $10 million since 2016.
• Team Member Giving Program Employee giving program that provides Lee Health team members with opportunities to support colleagues and patient care through payroll deduction and one-time donations. Raised over $217,000 in 2026.
• Little Red Wagon Fund Philanthropic fund supporting innovative pediatric programs, technologies, and services at Golisano Children's Hospital in Southwest Florida.
• Sharon MacDonald Breast Health Fund Fund helping breast cancer patients who cannot afford to pay for medical services receive lifesaving cancer care including chemotherapy, radiation, and medication.
• Compassionate Mammogram Fund Program providing access to leading-edge mammograms for women in need, supporting early detection given the 98 percent survival rate for early-detected breast cancer.
• Shipley Cardiothoracic Center World-class surgery center established through philanthropy providing life-saving care for heart disease and lung cancer, funded by the Shipley Foundation.
• Planned Giving Program Planned giving program allowing donors to create lasting philanthropic legacies through bequests, charitable remainder trusts, and other estate planning instruments via planmygift.org.
• Madisen's Match Gala & Auction Annual signature fundraising gala and auction for Lee Health Foundation; the 15th annual event in 2026 raised over $156,000.
• Boston Red Sox Celebrity Classic Annual celebrity sporting event partnership for 33 years between Lee Health and the Boston Red Sox, raising $385,000 in 2026 to benefit intellectual and developmental disability services at Golisano Children's Hospital.
• Minnesota Twins Celebrity Classic Annual celebrity sporting event with the Minnesota Twins that has supported Lee Health and Golisano Children's Hospital for over 20 years as part of a 10-year official healthcare partnership.
• Porsche & Friends Parade 10th annual charity parade organized by the Porsche Club of America (Everglades Region) that has raised more than $2.5 million over a decade supporting pediatric care at Golisano Children's Hospital.

Quantifiable outcome

• 84% childhood cancer survival rate at Golisano Children's Hospital, exceeding the national average
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Children's Miracle Network (CMN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLee Health Foundation participates in Children's Miracle Network, a national nonprofit that raises funds for children's hospitals. CMN corporate partners including Costco and Dairy Queen run annual campaigns benefiting Golisano Children's Hospital. The foundation is designated as the CMN hospital for Southwest Florida, between Tampa and Miami.
• Bonita Bay CommunityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Bonita Bay residential community has demonstrated sustained commitment to Lee Health Cancer Institute, raising $474,508 in 2026 through community fundraising events and campaigns.
• SanCap CarescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSanCap Cares has spearheaded fundraising on Sanibel and Captiva islands, raising more than $16 million from island residents including major support for building Golisano Children's Hospital. The organization hosted its 26th Annual Island Celebration in 2026.
• Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry CountiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLee Health partnered with Habitat for Humanity to assist team members in the homeownership process and support recovery efforts following Hurricane Ian, demonstrating a community-building approach beyond traditional healthcare philanthropy.
• Johns Hopkins All Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLee Health collaborated with Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital to launch a new pediatric neurosurgery program at Golisano Children's Hospital, bringing specialized surgical care closer to home for Southwest Florida families.
• Encompass HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLee Health and Encompass Health (the nation's largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals) broke ground on a new inpatient rehabilitation hospital, expanding post-acute care services in the region.
• Minnesota TwinscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Minnesota Twins and Lee Health announced a 10-year partnership designating Lee Health as the Twins' official healthcare provider and renaming the Twins' club the Lee Health Sports Complex. The Twins have supported Lee Health and Golisano Children's Hospital for over 20 years through the Celebrity Classic, raising significant funds annually.
• Boston Red SoxcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Boston Red Sox have partnered with Lee Health for 33 years through the Celebrity Classic Event Series, raising $385,000 in 2026 to benefit intellectual and developmental disability services at Golisano Children's Hospital.
• Porsche Club of America (Everglades Region)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganized by John and Valerie Petracco, the 10th Annual Porsche & Friends Parade has raised more than $2.5 million over a decade supporting pediatric care at Golisano Children's Hospital.
• Florida Heart AssociatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLee Health Heart Institute acquired Florida Heart Associates, a highly respected cardiology practice bringing 16 cardiologists and advanced practice providers, enhancing coordinated cardiovascular care throughout the region.
• Cancer Support CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with a global network of cancer support offering compassionate care to patients and their loved ones, provided free of charge to ensure no one fights cancer alone through the Lee Health Cancer Institute.
• Camp Boggy CreekminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports children with serious illnesses to experience summer camp in a safe, medically sound environment near Orlando, Florida. Part of the Barbara's Friends support ecosystem for pediatric cancer patients.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AdventHealth Foundation: Foundation arm of a large multi-state, multi-hospital Florida-headquartered health system. Comparable in campaign scale and capital project fundraising but operates over a broader geography than Lee Health Foundation.
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital / ALSAC: Nation's largest pediatric medical charity with broad mass-market and corporate fundraising machinery. Adjacent comparable in pediatric philanthropy economics, donor cultivation practices, and signature event programming.
• Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Philanthropy Institute): Philanthropy arm of a nationally-ranked, multi-specialty health system. Comparable in capital campaign sophistication and planned giving scale, though substantially larger and broader in geographic reach than Lee Health Foundation.

Direct peers

• Nemours Children's Health Foundation: Pediatric hospital foundation operating in the same Southeast US pediatric philanthropy space, with similar Children's Miracle Network affiliation and signature event-driven giving model.
• Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation: Florida-based specialty cancer center foundation with similar cancer institute programming, clinical research fundraising, and major gift campaigns. Comparable donor cultivation practices and designation-specific giving options.
• Orlando Health Foundation: Foundation supporting a large multi-hospital Florida health system with similar reliance on signature galas, corporate partnerships, and planned giving programs. Strong geographic and structural comparability in the same state regulatory environment.
• Tampa General Hospital Foundation: Philanthropic arm of a major Florida academic health system serving the West Coast of Florida. Directly comparable as a hospital foundation raising capital and annual gifts in a similar regional, multi-hospital context in Florida.
• Johns Hopkins All Children's Foundation: Foundation for a Florida pediatric specialty hospital; Lee Health Foundation already has a strategic collaboration with Johns Hopkins All Children's for pediatric neurosurgery, making this a directly adjacent peer in pediatric philanthropy in the same state.
• Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation: Community-focused hospital foundation on Florida's Gulf Coast serving an overlapping seven-county-type geography. Comparable structure, regional donor base, and reliance on signature galas and planned giving.
• Nicklaus Children's Hospital Foundation: Philanthropic arm of a Florida-based children's hospital. Direct peer on pediatric philanthropy, corporate point-of-sale campaigns, and signature fundraising events (e.g., Miami-based galas and CMN-style partnerships).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/leehealthfdn
• Facebookfacebook.com/LeeHealthFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/leehealthfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/leehealthfoundation/?hl=en

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lee Health Foundation