For one anonymous donor, Rush’s health equity mission isn’t an abstract idea — it’s transforming people’s lives.
Encouraged by the meaningful difference their past giving has made, the donor wanted to do more. Now they’ve made a new $13.5 million gift to Rush University System for Health that will help West Side community members and Rush students facing some of life’s most difficult challenges.
This includes mothers like Frances,* who lost her baby soon after giving birth and didn’t know where to turn. She found the help and support she needed to begin healing, thanks to Rush’s donor-supported Family Connects Chicago at RUSH program.
It includes students like Melanie,* who struggled to balance her coursework with unexpected family obligations. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in health sciences from Rush University and further her healthcare career, thanks to donor-funded scholarship support.
And it includes community members like Nicole,* who needed help following domestic violence. Nicole worked with Rush social workers to create a safety plan, find a new job and secure full custody of her daughter — made possible by Rush’s philanthropically supported Department of Social Work and Community Health.
“The Rush team has an incredible passion for the work they do,” the donor said. “This gift is the most personally rewarding of all of our philanthropic efforts."
By expanding access to care through community programs and clinics, while also training the next generation of healthcare leaders, the anonymous donor’s gift will not only improve the health of the diverse communities Rush serves but also lay the foundation for a national model.
“Some of the biggest challenges in healthcare can also become our greatest opportunities for impact when partners come together around a shared purpose,” said Dr. Omar Lateef, president and CEO of Rush University System for Health. “We are incredibly grateful for this remarkable gift, which will help Rush accelerate our work to build healthier local communities and bring us closer to a future where everyone has the chance to be healthy.”
Building a healthier future for Chicago and beyond
For the donor, the gift isn’t about them — it’s about making a difference for Rush’s patients, students and neighbors, ensuring everyone has the chance to be healthy.
During a family member’s illness, the donor recognized how difficult it can be to navigate the healthcare system, especially for those who may have limited support or financial means.
“That experience led us to do some research, where we learned about the health equity gap and Rush’s incredible commitment to address this issue,” they said.
Research and public health data have shown that residents in Chicago’s West Garfield Park have a life expectancy 20 years less than residents in Chicago’s Loop, just five miles to the east.
“Rush has always exceeded our expectations in reducing the health equity gap on Chicago’s West Side,” the donor said.
Understanding that this complex issue won’t be solved by a single intervention or program, the donor’s investment takes a holistic approach, supporting a tapestry of community-based and educational solutions to eliminate this gap.
This includes support for the Rush Center for Community Well-Being at Sankofa, which opened in April 2026 and provides mental health services, wellness programming, substance use education, screenings and more.
In addition, their gift will better equip nurses to provide much-needed comprehensive care to thousands of individuals living in historically underserved communities in Chicago through the Rush University College of Nursing Sue Gin Health Center at BUILD and Rush University College of Nursing’s Faculty Practice.
Giving mothers, families and young people the chance to be healthy
By investing in Family Connects Chicago at RUSH, the gift will support more mothers like Frances and their families by enabling registered nurses to provide skilled, compassionate care through in-home visits. Family Connects provides new moms with the resources to care for their infants and themselves, including cribs, blood pressure cuffs, car seats, formula and diapers, while also offering support in navigating complex emotions.
The donor was inspired to support the program after meeting with patients who’ve benefited from it.
“This program changes the lives of patients and family members,” they said. “Every patient we met seemed to view Rush’s employees as trusted family members, not just healthcare workers.”
Building a stronger, more equitable workforce
Through support for a fellowship and scholarships, the donor’s investment will help more students like Melanie. This includes scholarships for Rush University Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences students, for Rush University College of Nursing students conducting clinical projects at Faculty Practice clinics, and for emerging social work clinicians seeking to provide culturally competent, trauma-informed care.
According to Angela Moss, PhD, APRN, FAANP, FAAN, associate dean of faculty practice for Rush University College of Nursing and the Judd and Marjorie Weinberg Presidential Professor, there will always be a need for population-trained healthcare professionals who understand community and public health. That’s why it’s so important to help relieve students’ financial burden.
“Rush is not only doing the work in the community — we’re training future generations of healthcare professionals to continue that work,” Moss said. “It creates a ripple effect, and that’s where I see this gift having a really big impact. Now is such a critical time to provide financial support for our students and clinicians who are building their careers.”
Moss added, “We are so grateful and honored to receive this generous support. While the gift supports a diverse array of programs and services, its common thread is expanding access to care — by supporting students and clinicians as they learn, train and provide services in the communities that need them most.”
About the RUSH Campaign: Partnering for solutions
This anonymous gift demonstrates how philanthropic partners are helping Rush address challenges facing our communities and the field of healthcare. Rush University System for Health has publicly shared its bold plan — Without Boundaries: The RUSH Campaign — to eliminate the boundaries in healthcare that prevent many from living their healthiest possible lives. With donors’ support, the campaign is fueling Rush’s development of the health solutions our region and the field of healthcare need most. Rush plans to especially concentrate investment in six strategic priorities: neuroscience, cancer, bone and joint, education and workforce development, health equity and innovation.
*Names have been changed for privacy.
Learn more about how you can change lives by supporting Rush’s health equity mission.
