The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health is an independent public charity, devoted exclusively to elevating the priority of children's health and increasing the quality and accessibility of children's health care through leadership and direct investment. The foundation, established in 1996, evolved from Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University. The foundation is named for noted philanthropist Lucile Salter Packard, who had a lifelong devotion to the health and well-being of children.
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The foundation employs three strategies to advance the health and well-being of children: It is the primary fundraiser for Lucile Packard Children's Hospital; it partners with community organizations to promote the health and well being of children; and it disseminates information to raise awareness and promote action regarding key children's health issues.
Since 1997, the foundation has raised funds to ensure that Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and the pediatric programs at Stanford University School of Medicine are able to provide the finest, family-centered care to children; train the next generation of pediatric medical leaders; and conduct research into treatments and cures for diseases that affect children throughout the world. Growth in community support over the last decade has helped transform Packard Children's into one of the nation's top children's hospitals, and has sustained its commitment to care for any child in the community, including those without health insurance. To support Packard Children’s Hospital, please visit www.supportLPCH.org.
The foundation's grantmaking program aims to promote the health and well being of children through partnerships with community organizations.
The foundation’s Information Program provides information about the health and well-being of local children. Through this program, the foundation sponsors events, research, surveys, and polls about children’s health, including a comprehensive poll to determine how Bay Area parents say their kids are faring. The Information Program also runs several websites aimed at parents, policymakers, and professionals:
In early 2007, the foundation announced the appointment of its new president and CEO David Alexander, M.D.[1] Also in 2007, a survey commissioned by the foundation found that Bay Area parents listed stress, depression, weight and the fallout from family conflict as among the chief concerns for their children.[2] In 2006, the foundation released a survey that found that schools and the well-being of children were the top concerns for Bay Area adults regardless of parental status, gender, political affiliation, or income level.[3]
Lucile Packard (1914–1987) and her husband, David (1912–1996), co-founder of Hewlett Packard Company, were dedicated to children and were the driving force behind the development of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. There are several distinct organizations that bear Lucile Packard’s name. Among them are The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. Because of their similar names, the organizations can be confused with each other, and they often work closely together to help improve the health of children.