Philanthropy at Mayo Clinic

Heritage of Generosity

Philanthropy — which derives from Greek words meaning "love of mankind" — is central to the culture of Mayo Clinic. For more than a century, Mayo has been a leader in patient care, research and education. This is due, in large part, to the many patients, alumni, staff members and friends who follow the example set by our founders.

When you make a gift to Mayo Clinic, you continue the tradition of generosity described in this timeline.

Roots

"Our father taught us."
— Frequent comment by Dr. Will and Dr. Charlie Mayo

William Worrall Mayo, M.D. (1819-1911) was born near Manchester, England. He witnessed the social upheaval caused by the Industrial Revolution and developed a humane philosophy of giving back to others. He came to the United States as a young man and moved west, settling in Rochester, Minn., during the Civil War.

The elder Mayo encouraged teamwork and often told his children that no man or woman was "big enough to be independent of others." Zealous in his pursuit of excellence, he often used the phrase "left open for further thought and research" in his medical records.

His sons, William James Mayo, M.D., (1861-1939) and Charles Horace Mayo, M.D., (1865-1939) made his ideals the basis of their growing medical practice. They often said, "Our father taught us" and spoke of their accomplishments in terms of "My brother and I."

1889

"With our faith and hope and energy, it will succeed."
— Mother Alfred Moes, founder of the Order of St. Francis

You could say that Mayo Clinic was "born in a storm." When a tornado struck Rochester in 1883, Dr. W.W. Mayo took charge of caring for the wounded. For nursing care, he turned to Mother Alfred Moes and her Order of St. Francis, a teaching community.

Based on this experience, Mother Alfred later proposed to Dr. Mayo that the Franciscan Sisters would fund the purchase of land and construction of a hospital, and provide nursing service, if he and his sons would offer medical care. Hesitant at first, Dr. Mayo finally agreed, and Saint Marys Hospital opened in 1889. Since then, Saint Marys Hospital has played a key role in the growth and global renown of Mayo Clinic.

In an age of religious hostility, the cooperation between the Catholic Franciscan Sisters and the Protestant Mayo brothers set a model of service to people in need. The Mayo-Franciscan values continue today as a cultural taproot of our organization.

1894

"We decided upon a plan."
— Dr. Will Mayo

Saint Marys Hospital opened at the dawn of "safe surgery." The Mayo brothers made early use of the new antiseptic techniques, which dramatically improved survival rates. Success came quickly.

This was the Gilded Age, when "robber barons" made vast fortunes, often by exploiting their workers. In contrast, Dr. Will and Dr. Charlie felt a profound responsibility to give back to society. In 1894, when Dr. Will was 33 years old and Dr. Charlie was 29 years old, they decided to live on half of their income, investing the other half in a fund that would benefit humanity through medical education and research.

1919

"The object of the Clinic is service to mankind."
— Excerpt from the Deed of Gift presented by the Mayo brothers and their wives

By the World War I era, the Mayo brothers and their wives undertook a series of steps that transformed the private medical practice into a not-for-profit organization with a salaried staff that dedicated their time to the needs of the patient, not financial gain for the doctor. In an unprecedented act of generosity, the Mayo brothers gave most of their earnings back to the foundation to ensure that Mayo Clinic would flourish long after the lifetime of its founders.

Dr. Will said: "The people's money, of which we have been the moral custodians, is being irrevocably returned to the people from whom it came."

1928

"Here science serves, enthroned in architecture and crowned with music."
— James Drummond, carillonneur of the Plummer Building

The opening of the Plummer Building, with its distinctive bell tower and carillon, symbolized Mayo's commitment to the art, as well as to the science, of medicine. Mayo's earliest buildings combined physician offices with research facilities and educational programs – a tradition that continues today. Efficient systems and a warm, welcoming ambience remain a hallmark of the Mayo Clinic Model of Care. Philanthropic support is essential to the ongoing vitality of this model.

1932

"It was on such rocklike confidence that the basis for an even greater post-Depression progress was built."
— Harry J. Harwick, chief administrative officer of Mayo Clinic

The way that Mayo Clinic coped with the Great Depression is a lesson in the values of our institution.

Unlike many other businesses, Mayo refused to have mass layoffs. Rather, in a spirit of shared sacrifice, everyone on staff took a salary cut to preserve jobs and maintain service to patients. As the nation's banking system neared collapse, Mayo Clinic even used its own financial reserves as the basis of bearer notes, or scrip, which staff members could use to pay their local bills.

Also, Mayo realized that many patients faced financial hardships. In one case, Mayo allowed a young man, Jesse Baldwin, to take an extended time to pay for his care. He never forgot this lesson in trust and kindness. Years later, as a successful entrepreneur, he provided funding for a new building at Mayo Clinic that bears his name.

Mayo's commitment to its people — our patients and staff — is the basis for the loyalty that many people feel for Mayo Clinic today.

1957

"He asked me what I'd think of a hospital in the shape of a circle. At the time, the whole idea was new."
— Esther Roesti, director of nursing for Rochester Methodist Hospital, one of Mayo's hospitals.

Innovation and expansion were bywords of the post-World War II era. Rochester Methodist Hospital pioneered many concepts that became industry standards: the radial nursing unit, which shortened the distance between the nursing station and patient rooms, as Esther Roesti described; unit dose measuring of medications; open-heart and joint replacement surgical procedures; and chaplaincy education. These wide-ranging initiatives attracted philanthropic support from foundations, the community and employees.

1970

"Mayo Clinic is a private trust for public purposes."
— Warren Burger, chief justice of the United States and member, Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees

In the late 1960s, with the guidance of Mayo's senior leaders and the Board of Trustees, we took the bold step of starting a medical school. Mayo Medical School, which opened in 1972, complements our other educational programs for physicians, scientists and allied health professionals.

The level of support needed to launch the school — as well as to fund Mayo's ongoing commitments to research and education — led to the establishment of the Department of Development. In a collegial partnership, the department serves as a liaison between Mayo Clinic and the worldwide family of benefactors who support Mayo's mission.

1977

The Doctors Mayo Society
"... the opportunity to return to others what was done for me and for thousands of others."
— Dwight Wilbur, M.D., founding chair of The Doctors Mayo Society

Mayo alumni — the physicians and scientists on our staff and the graduates of our schools — were among the earliest champions of philanthropy. The first benefactor organization at our institution, The Doctors Mayo Society, was chartered by alumni in 1977. Members enjoy meetings and publications, which provide opportunities for communication across specialty fields.

The society's founding document states that members pledge "to engender widespread understanding of Mayo's purposes and accomplishments; to pledge themselves and their resources in support for Mayo's educational and scientific programs in a way worthy of emulation by all alumni; and to develop the Society as a symbol of sustained fellowship and support for Mayo."

1986

"We don't know what we can do until we've tried."
— J.E. Davis, philanthropic leader in the founding of Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.

Benefactor J.E. Davis and his brothers, Austin, A.D. and Tine, knew the importance of business expansion. In making a generous offer of land and financial support, the Davis family worked with friends and community leaders to bring Mayo Clinic to Jacksonville in 1986 — the clinic's first expansion outside Minnesota. The Davis family continue to be philanthropic leaders who support Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, as do growing numbers of patients, employees, friends and alumni, along with foundations and corporations.

1987

"I was born with an inherited condition called philanthropy. It's the one disease Mayo Clinic has never tried to cure!"
— Samuel Johnson, former chair of the Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees

Sam Johnson was the longest-serving public member of Mayo's Board of Trustees. The Johnson family represents the many loyal benefactors who support Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Our Scottsdale campus opened in 1987 and our Phoenix campus in 1998. Philanthropic support fuels our threefold mission of patient care, education and research in the Southwest.

1990

"A gathering of friends."
— Poppy (Mrs. Alan) Rich, honorary first member of The Mayo Legacy

Established in 1990, The Mayo Legacy is a philanthropic organization of patients, employees and friends. Members make a planned gift, such as a bequest, charitable gift annuity or charitable trust. Many members also provide generous gifts on an annual basis, directing their funds to priority areas in clinical innovation, research and education.

As Mrs. Rich described, members of the Legacy enjoy attending meetings on each campus of Mayo Clinic. These gatherings offer opportunities for fellowship and in-depth understanding of Mayo's plans for the future.

2001

"The great oak must grow."
— Leslie Gonda, principal benefactor of the Gonda Building

Members of the Gonda family have a multigenerational relationship as benefactors of Mayo Clinic. Mr. Gonda's statement that growth is essential for an organization to flourish is emblematic of the support that he and his family have provided to Mayo.

In 2001, the Gonda Building opened on our Rochester campus as the "jewel in the crown" of the largest construction project in Mayo's history. Mr. Gonda believes in collaboration. His example represents the many benefactors who support endowment, facilities, technology, scholarly initiatives and art at Mayo Clinic.

TODAY

"Mayo Clinic has a moral imperative to provide leadership."
— Denis A. Cortese, M.D., president and chief executive officer, Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic has always focused on meeting the needs of each patient. We offer comprehensive, state-of-the-art care, and we continually advance the standard of care through innovative programs in medical research and education.

Just as Mayo Clinic pioneered "safe surgery" in the 1890s and the vast expansion of medical knowledge after World War II, we are uniquely positioned to be the world leader in the emerging field of individualized medicine. By discovering and applying new knowledge about the fundamental processes of the human body, Mayo Clinic is transforming the prediction, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a wide range of illnesses — tailoring treatment to the unique needs of each patient.

To achieve this vision, we need your help. That's why we launched The Campaign for Mayo Clinic — a $1.25 billion initiative and the first comprehensive campaign in Mayo's history. Gifts of all sizes help us create the future of medicine. By supporting Mayo Clinic, you will help us improve quality of life for our patients and people around the world.

Please join us as Mayo Clinic brings help and hope, and a healthier future for all.