Local Program Spotlight

Sequoia Hospital Foundation Sees Strong Results From Legacy Giving

Chicago, Ill. (May 14, 2021) - Sequoia Hospital Foundation in Redwood City, Calif. has renewed its focus on identifying and stewarding donors who are interested in utilizing their estates’ assets to benefit Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital beyond their own lifetimes. Increased outreach through mailings, social media, newsletter articles and targeted emails have led to deeply meaningful conversations about the hospital’s future, the benefits of estate planning, and the legacy of care that can be created.

In fiscal year 2020, the foundation learned that a generous community member, together with her late husband, had declared their mutual intention to leave approximately $2.9 million of their estate to benefit Sequoia Hospital. The couple, both grateful patients and long-time donors, are utilizing their planned giving to benefit several community organizations that have been important to them in their lifetime.

“It is a joyous experience to be able to work with our donors to help them plan a legacy that reflects what is truly meaningful to them,” says Jennifer Svihus, President of Sequoia Hospital Foundation. “Being an active part of the estate planning process allows us the opportunity to show these individuals how their gift will impact the future of our hospital and the patients we serve and, more importantly, to celebrate their generous giving with them while we can.”

Another grateful patient, Roger Goad, a 33-year veteran of the San Mateo County Sherriff’s department, named Sequoia Hospital Foundation as a beneficiary of his life insurance policy. When he passed in 2020, the foundation received a wonderful gift to support the future of health care in our community. His gift allowed the foundation to celebrate Roger’s life and the impact of his generosity with his wife, Dorene.

Individuals like these, who provide for Sequoia Hospital’s future through an estate or planned gift are recognized as members of the foundation’s 1950 Sequoia Society. The 1950 Sequoia Society was launched on October 15, 2018 to coincide with the 68th anniversary of the dedication of Sequoia Hospital.

In recognition of the generous $2.9 million gift, Sequoia Hospital Foundation was recognized with the Largest Gift Intention award at CommonSpirit Health®’s Philanthropy Education Summit 2021. This recognition distinguishes them among CommonSpirit’s 80+ fundraising offices across the ministry.

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