Wellstar Foundation Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Program service accomplishments the wellstar foundation serves as the development and fundraising center for wellstar health system, a nonprofit organization recognized under irc section 501(c)(3). It is dedicated to serving our community by providing the tools and facilities needed to promote stronger and healthier lives. The foundation was established in response to the medical advances required by our healthcare system to continue delivering world-class care. Starting with a modest team of four dedicated and experienced members, the foundation has grown to a 21-member staff. It has been instrumental in rallying support from employees, volunteers, corporations, and the community for wellstar health system initiatives. Foundation members collaborate with community leaders to raise funds and provide programs and services that result in improved health outcomes for all. Payments to hospital projects during the reporting period exceeded $7.8 million. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the wellstar foundation plays a critical role in securing life-saving resources for the wellstar health system. In fy2025, the foundation raised more than $10.3 million for the system. Donations come from government grants, generous individuals, businesses, and community organizations through annual gifts, grants, tribute gifts, special events, strategic opportunities, and legacy planning. Wellstar team members contributed more than $1 million through the team member giving program, with many donations designated for educational scholarships and emergency assistance for team members in need. Hospital auxiliaries contributed more than $475,000 annually to support enhancements at local wellstar facilities. Enhancement projects benefit community members at their local hospitals, health parks, hospices, pediatric centers, and other wellstar facilities throughout their communities. Past contributions have supported initiatives such as an innovative cardiac aortic surveillance program, orthopedic surgical training platform, workforce development in nursing and cardiac and postgraduate app training, the lucas trauma device, oncology ct technology, and mobile food markets serving diverse populations. Wellstar consistently strives for total patient care, ensuring that all systems and programs within the hospital and community align with this focus. Through community partnerships, the wellstar foundation helps fund programs such as babies born healthy, in partnership with public health;; sexual assault examinations in collaboration with livesafe; health equity and community health programs that include nutrition services, food access, health education, and community health providers; and more. Wellstar also partnered with the whitehead foundation and callaway foundation to support pediatric literacy and address social determinants of health. Health, safety & education the wellstar foundation continues to lead fundraising initiatives aimed at improving the health of children and families within the wellstar service area. These efforts emphasize key service lines and disciplines, including behavioral health, cancer, cardiac care, stroke, pediatric literacy, end-of-life care, prevention and wellness, and overall facility improvements. Over the past five years, wellstar team members have donated nearly $5 million toward system initiatives through annual employee giving campaigns. Charitable donations provide critical medical technology used by physicians to treat and heal patients across various service areas, including cancer, stroke, hospice, cardiology, pediatrics, women's health, orthopedics, and more. As a leader in health equity, the foundation raises funds to support wellstar's commitment to delivering world-class healthcare to every person, every time. This includes programs addressing six critical disparities: access to care, behavioral health, cancer, food insecurity, suicide prevention, and women's health. Some programs include community clinics,

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 46.9%; rating input score 47
• Program expense ratio: 56%; rating input score 56
• Fundraising efficiency: $4.94 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 20; 20th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.3%; rating input score 93; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 0 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 0
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 86.2%; rating input score 86; 19th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 27.5%; rating input score 87; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 4.71; rating input score 84; 84th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 96; 96th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 3.4%; rating input score 65; 65th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 8.6% per year; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 11.7% per year; rating input score 100; 79th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 10.8% per year; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings