The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation has received a transformative estate gift of $642,000 that will support three vital programs and services in the Fond du Lac area: St. Francis Home, SSM Health Hospice Home of Hope, and newborn needs at the SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital Family Birth Suites.
The generous gift reflects the donor’s commitment to ensuring compassionate care is available to community members at every stage of life, from welcoming newborns into the world to providing comfort and dignity at the end of life.
The estate gift – from a donor wishing to remain anonymous – will help meet ongoing needs at each of the designated areas, enhancing care experiences for patients, residents, and families for years to come.
“This remarkable gift demonstrates how one person’s generosity can have a lasting impact across generations,” according to Mason Gravelle, philanthropy director for the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation. “The donor’s legacy will touch the lives of newborns and their families, support residents who call St. Francis Home their home, and provide comfort and peace to patients and loved ones receiving end-of-life care through Hospice Home of Hope.”
Planned gifts – such as bequests – are among the most powerful ways donors can support the future of health care in their communities. These gifts allow individuals to make a meaningful contribution that reflects their values and creates a lasting legacy without affecting their current financial needs.
“Many people do not realize that one of the greatest gifts they can leave is the gift of caring for future generations,” Gravelle says. “By including a charitable organization in their estate plans, donors can continue supporting causes that matter deeply to them while creating a legacy that extends far beyond their lifetime.”
The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation works with donors who wish to support a variety of health care needs throughout the greater Fond du Lac area. While donors may choose to support specific programs or services, gifts to greatest needs funds provide flexibility to address emerging priorities and opportunities that directly benefit patients, families, and caregivers.
“Every planned gift tells a story,” Gravelle shares. “It is a reflection of a person’s values, priorities and commitment to helping others. We are deeply grateful for individuals who choose to invest in the future of local health care through their estate plans.”
The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation encourages anyone interested in exploring charitable gift planning options to discuss their wishes with their financial or legal advisor and learn more about how a planned gift can support exceptional health care in the community.
“When people take time to plan their legacy, they create opportunities to make a difference that can last for generations,” Gravelle says. “Whether a gift supports a specific area of care or our greatest needs, it helps ensure we can continue delivering compassionate, high-quality care close to home.”
Ways to Support the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation
The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation offers several opportunities for individuals and families to support local health care, including:
- Online donations
- Memorial and tribute gifts
- Endowment funds
- Planned gifts and estate giving
- Employer matching gifts
- Employee giving programs
For more information about making a gift or including the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation in your estate plans, contact the Foundation at 920-926-5418 or [email protected].
About the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation
The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation supports the mission of SSM Health by securing philanthropic resources that enhance patient care, advance medical services, provide innovative equipment and technologies, and strengthen the health and well-being of communities served throughout the greater Fond du Lac area. Through the generosity of donors, the Foundation helps ensure exceptional health care remains available close to home for generations to come.
Date posted: September 10, 2026