How will you help shape the future of pediatrics?

Support research to help children — in the way you want! Through this crowdfunding page, we are showcasing four exciting projects that need financial support — all with the potential to directly benefit the lives of children and families. Click "More..." to get information about the projects. If you're ready to make a donation, select the "Donate" button.

What is the Children's National Crowdfunding Initiative?

Help Families Manage Asthma at Home

Imagine being able to measure the triggers for asthma at home or school! With your support, we can literally put this power in a parent's hands. More...

Ease the Wait for Children in Pain

If you think spending time in a doctor's waiting room is difficult, imagine what it would be like to wait when your child is in severe pain. With your support, the Pain Medicine Waiting Room will ease the stress of this experience for children and families. More...

Help Doctors Detect Down Syndrome with a Simple Photo

"Smile for the camera!" With your support, we can make the detection of Down syndrome as simple as a quick picture, without the need for blood tests or expensive specialized tests. This could revolutionize the detection of Down syndrome by offering an affordable solution for doctors worldwide. More...

Bring Image-Guided Surgery to Classrooms

Image-guided surgery represents the next generation of health care. It is less invasive and results in less pain and a quicker recovery. You can help more people benefit from this exciting innovation through educational tools for doctors, parents, and students. More...

Q & A

Q: What is crowdfunding?
A: Crowdfunding is an increasingly popular way for people to support causes and projects they care about through online giving. People are able to make small or large donations to support projects like the ones featured on this page. Back to Top
Q: Do you accept small donations?
A: Absolutely! The goal of this initiative is to get more people involved in supporting pediatric research. Any size donation is welcome. Back to Top
Q: Do I have to donate online?
A: While we have created an easy way for you to make an online donation, you are welcome to contribute to any project with a check or credit card. To learn the many ways you can make a donation, contact Julie Butler or Tracy Church at the Children's Hospital Foundation.

Julie Butler
Director of Development, Sheikh Zayed Institute
(301) 565-8508
jbutler@childrensnational.org

Tracy Church
Senior Director of Development, Children's Research Institute
(301) 565-8513
tchurch@childrensnational.org Back to Top
Q: What if the project I support doesn't meet its fundraising goal?
A: All funds raised will be directed to the research project, even if the full amount is not raised. Back to Top
Q: Is my donation tax-deductible?
A: Yes. Children's National Medical Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which means your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent provided by law. Back to Top
Q: When will the projects begin?
A: Each of these projects has a team ready to begin work. Once they are funded, your donation will be put to work immediately. We will notify you when the fundraising goal is achieved. Back to Top
Q: Doesn't the hospital get grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)? Why is my donation needed?
A: Children's National Medical Center is a top-10 recipient of funding from NIH, and most of those grants support very specific purposes. The projects featured on this page will not be funded without the generous support of individuals like you. Back to Top
Q: How will my donation be used?
A: FirstGiving, the company that processes gifts for this initiative, charges a 7.5 percent fee, which includes credit card fees. Donors can choose to cover the costs of this expense when they make their gift. Any fees not covered will be matched by the Sheikh Zayed Institute to ensure that 100% of your donation supports the projects you choose. Back to Top
Q: Can I support different projects?
A: Of course! At Children's National, we are conducting exciting research at our Children's Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation. Contact Julie Butler or Tracy Church if you'd like to learn more about our research and how you can help:

Julie Butler
Director of Development, Sheikh Zayed Institute
(301) 565-8508
jbutler@childrensnational.org

Tracy Church
Senior Director of Development, Children's Research Institute
(301) 565-8513
tchurch@childrensnational.org Back to Top
Q: How can I learn more about the crowdfunding initiative?
A: Contact Floortje Blindenbach-Driessen,
fblinden@childrensnational.org Back to Top
Q: I donated, but do not see a change in the percentage raised.
A: Fund totals are updated periodically, not automatically. Back to Top
Q: On the donation page, I see an opportunity for my firm to match my gift. What does that entail?
A: Many companies offer a matching gift program to encourage and support their employees' philanthropic giving. When an eligible employee makes a gift to a nonprofit organization that falls within the company's program guidelines, the gift is matched with company funds. While most companies will match an employee gift dollar for dollar, some employers will match each $1 with $2. Other companies match less than dollar for dollar.

To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, check with your human resources department. If you have further questions, contact Julie Butler or Tracy Church and they'll be happy to help:

Julie Butler
Director of Development, Sheikh Zayed Institute
(301) 565-8508
jbutler@childrensnational.org

Tracy Church
Senior Director of Development, Children's Research Institute
(301) 565-8513 Back to Top
Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation
Disclaimer:

Children's National Medical Center does not guarantee or warrant actual outcomes for any of the selected projects. The results of any research project may turn out to be unfeasible or no longer desirable because of unexpected issues.

If for any reason the project cannot continue as planned — or if a project raises more than its established fundraising goal — Children's National will make every attempt to apply the funds to support an initiative with a similar purpose to benefit a similar target audience. If it is not possible to reassign resources to a similar initiative, Children's National will determine the most appropriate manner to use the funds raised.