Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why does Saint Mary’s Hospital need philanthropic support?
Saint Mary’s provides health care services to patients without regard income. Our patient population continues to grow in dramatic proportion as the demand for quality health care surges. Whether patients need health care for cardiac, cancer, and orthopedics or to welcome a new baby, Saint Mary’s has the equipment, the technology, the physicians and the staff to treat them. It’s no secret that the cost of health care has skyrocketed while rates of reimbursement have plummeted. Philanthropic support allows Saint Mary’s to bridge the gap between cost and reimbursement so we can maintain our facilities and provide quality care – all while continuing to provide expert care without regard for patient income.

How are philanthropic funds allocated?
Our donors can decide what area of the Hospital they would like to support. You can contribute funds to an endowment to sustain the hospital, or to assist a particular clinical service with their needs or to fund patient care.

How important is it that Saint Mary’s Hospital is Catholic?
At Saint Mary’s hospital, being Catholic means that we include the spiritual needs of our patients in their care. Our patient’s values will be reflected and respected in our health care. Our pastoral care department helps us focus on the needs of the whole person – regardless of the patient’s faith – including their emotional, spiritual and medical needs. We are Catholic by reputation in caring for the whole person and by name, in caring as Mary did.

May I give anonymously?
Yes, our donors may contribute to the hospital and remain known only to the head of the Foundation.

What are Saint Mary’s Hospital financial goals?
Our primary goal is to achieve financial stability through adequate compensation for health care services. It makes sense that we should be financially viable through the recovery of the true cost of our services. And while the hospital continues to work with state legislators, federal regulators and insurance companies, we – like every other hospital – have much work to be done.

Second to that goal is continued investment in our infrastructure along with acquisition of new medical equipment to continue our ability to delivery state-of-the-art medical care.

What makes Saint Mary’s Hospital a good investment for my gift?
An investment in Saint Mary’s Hospital is an investment in the health care services of your community. Whether the patient is you, a member of your family, a neighbor or someone you don’t know, quality health care will be available and accessible to you because of the generosity of our donors.

Will my gift really make a difference?
Yes, your gift, no matter the size, will directly impact patients’ access to quality health care – even if the patient is the donor!

Is Saint Mary’s Hospital a not-for-profit organization?
Yes, Saint Mary’s Hospital is a 501C3 not for profit organization.

Who governs Saint Mary’s Hospital?
We are governed by our Board of Directors but we are a diocesan hospital of the Archdiocese of Hartford chaired by the Archbishop of Hartford.

What is the role of planned giving at Saint Mary’s Hospital?
Planned giving gifts support Saint Mary’s Hospital in two specific manners. First, they assist the hospital in bridging the gap between health care costs and patient reimbursement. Second, they assist the hospital in maintaining with technology, equipment and facilities necessary to provide state of the art care.

How do I include Saint Mary’s Hospital in my will?
You can include Saint Mary’s Hospital in your will simply by expressing your wishes to the attorney developing your will. The Foundation Office can assist you and your attorney as well. Saint Mary’s recognizes individuals who have allocated a portion of their estate to the hospital with membership in Legacy Society.

Does Saint Mary’s Hospital accept charitable gift annuities?
Yes, Saint Mary’s Hospital recognizes that charitable gift annuities are a wise investment for our community members. The hospital benefits from an invested gift while a donor continues to receive investment income from the hospital for the gift. The Foundation Office can share more information on charitable gift annuities and how they might benefit you as a donor.

Does Saint Mary’s Hospital manage charitable trusts?
Yes, Saint Mary’s manages charitable trust as part of a team administrative effort typically involving a bank and an attorney. These more substantial gift initiatives require individual attention. The Foundation Office works one-on-one with donors considering charitable trusts.