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Hal Foster, MD Endowment Society
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The Hal Foster, MD Endowment
Preserving Our Legacy, Securing Our Future
Endowments are the financial foundation of an institution. They are invested, rather than used for immediate needs. The earnings provide a stable, ongoing funding to sustain excellence in research, lifelong learning, humanitarian missions and aid, evidence-based medicine, international work, and advocacy—all core to our mission. Every day, we are called to respond to changes in the medical landscape by creating new programs and knowledge for the specialty. But these efforts can only be sustained in the long term with additional funding. By giving to the Hal Foster Endowment you provide a fundamental gift that will enrich the specialty every year.
Preserving Our Legacy
History
In 1896, Dr. Hal Lovelace Foster called the first meeting of what would later become the AAO-HNS. He invited more than 500 ophthalmologists and otolaryngologists to what was to be the first meeting of the Western Ophthamological, Laryngological, and Rhinological Association (renamed the American Academy of Ophthamology and Otolaryngology in 1903).By then, the membership had reached 185. Just four years later, at 434 members, the AAO-HNS was the largest specialty society in the United States. Hal Foster estimated that the entire first meeting cost $400, which he paid entirely from his own funds. Foster said of that first meeting, "the money I spent in calling those specialists together was the best investment I ever made." This is the first-ever endowment campaign that the AAO-HNS and AAO-HNSF have embarked upon. As such, we found it fitting to pay tribute to the man who created this organization by naming the campaign in his honor. We are calling on you to follow Dr. Foster's incredible gesture of generosity and leadership that resulted in the creation of AAO-HNSF, the largest organization representing today's otolaryngologist— head and neck surgeons. Through this endowment, you help the AAO-HNSF fulfill the vision and dedicated leadership of Dr. Foster. Those who donate to the Hal Foster Endowment will also become an integral component of the history and future of this organization as they help to preserve the AAO-HNSF legacy for many generations to come.
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"I've always felt, too, that we weren't put on this earth just to be takers. We need to be givers. And in order for the success of our organization, I felt it was my responsibility to contribute back, because I've had so much given to me through the organization." |
Securing our Future
Today Touches Tomorrow…
| "As I reflect upon my career in otolaryngology, the symmetry between AAO-HNS activity and my career track is very evident. I am delighted to have this opportunity to help ensure the continued support of otolaryngology everywhere through the AAO-HNS." ——Jonas T. Johnson, MD, FACS |
To meet our responsibilities to our members, further our mission, and encourage future physician leaders, AAO-HNSF relies on a broad foundation of support, including private philanthropy, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants. From these areas we do have a strong foundation on which to build. But a living, thriving organization cannot grow in the long term if it is dependent only on sponsorships and annual donations. We need reliable revenue – something that we can count on year in and year out – even when the economy fluctuates. Endowed funds ensure that the important aspects of our work are supported forever. They give us the flexibility to carry out our mission at the highest level, to respond to new opportunities, and to take the risks we must in order to flourish. Based on a campaign feasibility study and other assessments, we plan to raise an endowment of $30 million over the next 30 years. As a first step to achieving this goal, the AAO-HNSF Boards of Directors resolved to embark on a 10-year campaign to raise half of these funds, or $15 million. When fully realized, the endowment income will provide a crucial piece of our financial puzzle.
