Marian Foundation Named CommonSpirit Health's Foundation of the Year

SANTA MARIA, CA – March 26, 2024 – Marian Regional Medical Center is pleased to announce that the Marian Foundation was recently honored with CommonSpirit Health’s Foundation of the Year Award. CommonSpirit Health’s coveted Foundation of the Year Award celebrates one fundraising foundation across CommonSpirit’s more than 80 fundraising entities.

The Foundation of the Year Award honor is bestowed to the top-performing CommonSpirit Health foundation that excels across major gifts, grants, and planned gifts. The awardee must demonstrate a well-balanced philanthropic program, keeping expenses under budget while investing in transformative programs and building strong teams dedicated to advancing the mission of the organization.

“The Foundation of the Year Award recognition is a tribute to the spirit of our gracious and giving community,” said Sue Andersen, President & CEO, Marian Regional Medical Center, after learning of the recent honor.  “I am incredibly proud of our foundation’s team members for their dedication and commitment to furthering our hospital’s healing mission.” 

In fiscal year 2023, the Marian Regional Medical Center Foundation increased fundraising revenue by 29% over the prior year, raising nearly $5.1 million. 

“It's a joy and true honor to fundraise for life-saving program and equipment needs at Marian,” shared Jessa Brooks, Vice President of Philanthropy, after the recent award announcement. “Although our foundation doesn't raise the highest dollar amount throughout our national healthcare system, we exceeded our annual metrics, earning the Marian Foundation the title as the top-performing fundraising entity. Ultimately, our organization is exceptionally grateful to our generous community whose support is invaluable in order to provide advanced medical care to local patients and families in need.”