Opportunities to Make a Difference

FHN is a nonprofit healthcare system. FHN is the only independent community health and regional care system serving northwest Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Therefore, we do not have shareholders or owners who receive financial payments or dividends. We only have stakeholders - the members of the region we serve.

We're committed to the health and well-being of the people of northwest Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

We have services nearby for all ages, so every member of your family can receive caring, personal, professional healthcare.

Give Now

An average of 1,500 people visit FHN each day for their healthcare needs (that's more than 547,500 patient visits per year). We're proud to be the only healthcare provider in our service area that offers affiliations with all three major hospitals in Rockford, Illinois, as well as with the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in Madison, Wisconsin.

Grateful Patient Program

Every day, our dedicated team delivers compassionate care and outstanding services. Those who have used our services understand the importance of the physician, the compassion of the nurse, and the help of a caring staff member or volunteer.

Give Now

Our amazing team is made up of highly trained, skilled, and experienced people. By taking a moment to recognize their efforts, you let them know how much they are appreciated.

By making a tax-deductible contribution of $15, $50, $100 or more, you honor the person who has played a significant role in the care of those in need.

Would you consider taking this opportunity to support our wonderful caregivers?

Your generosity also will help ensure our patients continue to have access to comprehensive, state-of-the-art healthcare resources. Thank you for your consideration!

FHN Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center
at FHN Memorial Hospital Pavers

A Healing Garden Walkway is the finishing touch outside the chemotherapy wing of the Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport. This graceful, peaceful spot is a place of serenity where those fighting cancer and the people who love them can find encouragement and strength.

Give Now

Help "pave the way to a cure" with a lasting message of strength, love, and encouragement to those who walk this path. Purchase and dedicate a brick paver for the Healing Garden Walkway and your message will live on for generations to come.

You can dedicate a paver ...
In memory of a loved one ...
In honor of a survivor ...
To show your support ...
To show your company's support ...

Giving Methods

There are a variety of methods that one can use to donate to the FHN Foundation. Here is a brief review of various methods that you may choose. We recommend that you do consult with your accountant, financial planner/adviser, or attorney to determine which method may be best for your unique financial situation.

Cash/Cash Equivalent
The most common gift is cash, check, credit card, money order or bank draft. Cash contributions can be made either in lump sum payments or installments.

Make your stocks work for you
One may choose to make gifts in the form of common stock or other securities. Substantial tax benefits may be realized by giving securities that have appreciated in value since their acquisition. For example, by giving the security instead of selling it and donating the proceeds, the supporter avoids payment of capital gains taxes. Therefore, if you own high-performing stocks you wish to sell, or you no longer need, and are looking for a way to avoid owing capital gains tax, consider making a gift of your stock to help further our mission. Plus, if you make a gift of stock rather than cash to us, you can use the cash you would have given to purchase more of the same stock. Then you will have made your gift, but you still own the same stock, only now with a higher basis. Please contact us if you need assistance with making a stock transfer. We can provide you with transfer instructions to make your gift easy and effective.

Life Insurance
Gifts of life insurance are another popular mode of giving. If you are a bargain hunter, you might consider making a gift of life insurance. They can provide a sizable gift at a relatively low cost. One may give an existing paid-up policy by transferring ownership to the FHN Foundation and receive a current deduction on the entire value. One may also insure his/her life, pay the annual premiums, and make the FHN Foundation the owner and irrevocable beneficiary of the policy. A person who does this is entitled to a current income tax deduction for each premium paid. By naming a charity like ours as the beneficiary of an unneeded policy, you can spend dimes to give dollars and receive tax savings. Once you have given the policy, you can receive additional income tax savings by making a gift each year in an amount equal to the premium payment.

Charitable Remainder Trust
An individual may create a trust that will pay an income to the donor and leave the trust property to the FHN Foundation upon the supporter’s death. The supporter is allowed to take a current federal income tax deduction even though the donor will enjoy the benefits of the trust while living. When you make a gift to fund a charitable remainder trust you get cash back as long as you live. Our organization benefits from what remains after all payments have been made to you and any other beneficiaries. You will receive an income tax deduction this year for your gift.

IRA Charitable Rollover
Congress made the IRA charitable rollover permanent. The rollover law allows taxpayers who are required to withdraw money from their IRAs to give directly to charity. Because the rollover counts against your required minimum distribution (RMD), making an IRA rollover gift to an organization like ours could reduce your income and taxes. Persons age 70 ½ or older can rollover up to $100,000 from their IRA to a qualified charity like ours. While you won’t receive an income tax deduction for a rollover gift, you also won’t pay any income tax on the transfer. The transfer only works for IRAs and not for other retirement accounts. You may be able to roll over your 401(k) or other plan into an IRA and take advantage of this strategy. Check with your tax advisor or contact us to learn more about how you can use your RMD for good and lower your taxes.

Real Estate
If you have real estate you are tired of holding then give that real estate (or part of it) to a qualified charity. You lose the burden of maintaining and paying taxes while gaining income tax advantages, such as avoiding paying capital gains tax on the transfer and receive a tax-saving charitable deduction.

Business Ownership
If you have a business ownership where you wish to reduce your share then donate a share of your closely held stock to charity. You receive an income tax deduction and reduce your ownership.

Bequests
Through the simplest of gift planning methods, a bequest, you can give a set amount or a percentage of cash, securities, life insurance proceeds, real estate property and personal property. A bequest may also be used to establish a lasting memorial in honor of the supporter or members of his/her family.

Employer Matching Gifts
Many employers offer programs through which they will match the funds their employees donate to qualified charities. As you make your gift to the FHN Foundation, please check with your employer to see if your company has a matching gift or volunteer program.