Membership

Membership is composed of exceptional women dedicated to preserving the vital role of Children’s National Hospital in our community. 

Members of the Founders Auxiliary Board have been described as “hardworking, resourceful, understanding and compassionate.”  At the day’s end, each volunteer prioritizes her time, resources, energy and spirit on behalf of the world-renowned Children’s National Hospital and the families it serves.

Board members represent a variety of backgrounds. Our members are primarily located in the Greater Washington, D.C. region, however due to the rise of the virtual meeting, participation is no longer limited by geography. Some of our members have personal connections to the exceptional care provided by the Hospital, while others have been motivated by its critical mission to provide care to all children.

About Founders Auxiliary Board

This multifaceted auxiliary board supports Children’s National through ongoing fundraising initiatives, special events and volunteer services. The Founders Auxiliary Board of Children’s National is composed of the former Children’s Health Board and The Board of Visitors, honoring their common mission over the past 150 years and recognizing their predecessors as founding members of our hospital. These founding members brought in 12 cribs, infant bedding, and towels to the Hospital’s first location.  They also responded to the concern over the level of starvation among Civil War orphans by creating a kitchen to feed these hungry and sick children. All funds raised by the Board are given directly to Children’s National through its Annual Grants and Major Gift Programs. 

Annual Grants

The Founders Auxiliary Board invites Children’s National staff to submit grant proposals each fall. Funding requests range from $150 to $25,000 and address the diverse needs of the main hospital campus and community-based programs of Children’s National. Proposals are carefully reviewed by Founders Auxiliary Board members and are awarded in the spring. More about our Annual Grants program.

Major Gifts

Major Gifts made by the Founders Auxiliary Board’s predecessors, the Children’s Health Board and The Board of Visitors, have launched, established, or enriched a wide range of Children’s National Hospital services. These include the Telehealth Command CenterSeacrest Studio, Cancer Immunotherapy Research, the Simulation Learning Center, the Cerebral Palsy Prevention Program, the Child Health Advocacy Institute (CHAI), and the Children’s National Dental Clinic. More about our Major Gift Program.

Fundraising

Founders Auxiliary Board continues our mission to support Children’s National Hospital by hosting multiple annual fundraising events such as the Race for Every Child, A Vintage Affair and Light Up The Season.

A General Overview of Member Requirements

  • Attend monthly Board meetings from September to June at the Hospital or via video conferencing
  • Actively participate on at least one committee
  • Support annual fundraising events through the procurement of sponsorships and personal contributions
  • Pay annual membership dues
Board members together after a race

I’ve been on several philanthropic boards but nothing like this one. This is an amazing group of bright and energized women who can roll up their sleeves, get to work and accomplish anything we set out to do. I have so much respect and admiration for our dedicated Board who, simply put, make things happen.

– Sandy, Honorary Member