Henry Ford Health Launches Record $750M Fundraising Campaign

Henry Ford Health in Detroit today publicly launched the largest fundraising campaign in its 109-year history. The nonprofit health system seeks to raise a record $750 million in philanthropic donations by 2028 to invest in the communities it serves.

The campaign — Rising Above, Reaching Beyond: The Campaign for Henry Ford Health — begins as the health system starts construction on its major Detroit campus expansion project, known as Destination: Grand.

The project, which includes a state-of-the-art hospital facility featuring a 20-story patient tower, will be Henry Ford’s most significant investment in the city to date, and the single largest health care investment in Detroit’s history

The tower will offer an expanded emergency department, greater operating room and ICU capacity, green energy sources, industry-leading technologies, and more. Pre-construction activity on the tower is now underway at the southwest corner of the Lodge Freeway and West Grand Boulevard (formerly occupied by the HAP building, which was demolished).

The $2.2 billion expansion will generate 8,000 construction jobs, 700 new hospital positions, the addition of surrounding facilities, and a hotel site. The tower is scheduled to be completed in 2029.

“This is a monumental moment in our long, impactful history,” says Bob Riney, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health. “So much of our progress for more than a century is due to our generous donor community. As we reimagine how healthcare can and should be delivered for the next 100 years, we know philanthropy will directly improve and impact the lives of those we serve.”

Riney adds the benefits of the fundraising campaign will extend far beyond Henry Ford Health’s flagship hospital, ensuring the future of health lives in each of the Central and Southeast Michigan communities the organization serves.

“Since fundraising began in early 2021 we have secured close to $488 million in commitments from our generous donor community, which we are proud to say includes many of our team members,” says Mary Jane Vogt, executive vice president and chief development officer of Henry Ford Health.

“The gifts given to date have allowed us to invest in the future of health. Now we are taking our fundraising campaign to the next level to ensure better health care for all.”

To date, the Rising Above, Reaching Beyond fundraising campaign has enabled investments in seamless patient-centered care; research, discovery, and innovation; education and training; and community health equity. The investments include:

• The Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences Research Center, which has been advanced by a generous gift from Ron and Heather Boji, and will also be home to the Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Institute
• The Janet & Jim Riehl North Tower at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital
• The Al Glick Scholars, a workforce development fund for Henry Ford Jackson Hospital
• Enhancements to rehabilitation services through a partnership with the Gilbert Family Foundation and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, including three floors of dedicated space in the new Henry Ford Hospital patient tower
• The Shari & Stanley Finsilver and Family OncoStat, a program that provides cancer patients same-day support for the side effects and symptoms of treatment

“These are just a few examples of how philanthropy is allowing us to rise above even our current level of excellence and reach beyond to forge a new path toward the cost-effective, accessible, superior care our communities deserve,” Vogt adds. “Our incredible donors — many of whom wish to keep their generosity anonymous — are helping us make the impossible possible.”

On Sept. 14, Henry Ford will celebrate the public phase of the campaign at Destination: Grand Ball, a private fundraising event for the donor community that will take place at Michigan Central in Detroit.

As part of the gala, Henry Ford Health will raffle off a custom, one-of-a-kind 2024 Roush F-150 truck, valued at more than $100,000, to benefit Destination: Grand. The truck was donated by Avis Ford in Southfield with all interior and exterior upgrades provided by Roush Performance in Livonia.

The Ford F-150 features custom graphics showcasing the Motor City skyline, including the Renaissance Center, Michigan Central, and the soon-to-come Destination: Grand Henry Ford Hospital. Raffle tickets are open to purchase here.

More information about the campaign and Henry Ford’s mission and vision can be found at Rising Above, Reaching Beyond: The Campaign for Henry Ford Health.