Childrens Hospital Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Support from the Children's Hospital Foundation allows the pediatric specialists at Norton Children's Hospital to continue to respond to the unique medical needs of children from birth to age 18, and in some cases through adulthood. It also supports the hospital's health and wellness prevention initiatives, as well as any pediatric-related needs of all other organizations affiliated with Norton Healthcare
- Income
- $32.1 million
- Spending
- $19.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 23 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 69%
- Employees
- 33
- Volunteers
- 576
- Highest pay
- $4.1 million, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 23.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 62% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2529 of 30 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (2)
- $9.0 million spent. The Children's Hospital Foundation (dba Norton Children's Hospital Foundation) raises funds for Norton Children's Hospital, Kentucky's only full-service, free-standing pediatric hospital; servicing Norton Children's Medical Center, Norton Women's & Children's Hospital, as well as all Norton affiliated organizations in need of supporting pediatric programs, equipment and facilities, research, advocacy and education. The Children's Hospital Foundation is motivated to ensure that children from throughout Greater Louisville have the medical care they need when they need it, while keeping kids as close to home as possible. Support from the Norton Children's Hospital Foundation allows the pediatric specialists of Norton Children's facilities and pediatric services to continue to respond to the unique medical needs of children from birth to age 18, and in some cases through adulthood. Norton Children's Hospital is Louisville's only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and the primary teaching facility for the U of L School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics. Major programs funded in 2024 included: * Operational funding for the Norton Children's Prevention & Wellness team, including Safety City and No Kid Hungry, as well as additional education and outreach * Expansion of the Heal Dog Heal Program
- $5.3 million spent. The Children's Hospital Foundation provides funding for capital projects, in addition to programs, advocacy, education and research. In 2024, the Foundation funded the following capital projects: * Islet Cell Research and Transplant Program Equipment * Pediatric Specialist Department - Support to build Center of Excellence * NICU Care equipment * Transport Team Ambulance assistance * Vans for Neonatal-pediatric Outreach Vehicles * Pediatric Cardiology Mapping equipment * Transport Team JFK Ambulance support * Simulation Vehicle * Autism Research Support for Playground * Neuro OR Renovation support
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1964.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Childrens Hospital Corporation (Boston, MA), EIN 04-2774441. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.