Every dollar received supports WCA Foundation and its mission to sustain the current and future healthcare services of UPMC Chautauqua. Donations large or small are welcomed for the purposes of building the endowments for UPMC Chautauqua or as grants for immediate needs of the hospital.

Donor directed gifts make the most impact when placed in the Foundation’s Unrestricted Fund where the interest earned can support a wide variety of the grants to enhance the healthcare services of UPMC Chautauqua. Donors may also specify a special need which they wish to support through one of the Foundation’s Restricted Funds or create a fund for that purpose. Planned giving opportunities are available.

A note about our funds:

There are basically two kinds of funds held at WCA Foundation – endowed funds and non-endowed or pass-through funds. Endowed funds are held in perpetuity – forever. The original gifts are prudently invested and 5.25% of the trailing twenty quarter average market value of each long-term fund’s portfolio at year end is annually used for grants to UPMC Chautauqua and operations of the WCA Foundation. Non-Endowed or Pass-Through funds are given by donors to be used for more immediate needs – either general or specific – of UPMC Chautauqua. They are fully expended for the use designated and not held for generational growth.

Endowed funds are further divided in purpose by their donors. They can be Restricted or Unrestricted/Undesignated endowment funds as prescribed by the donor’s directions.

Individuals or families who want to create a fund for a very specific type of service delivery of the Hospital, such as pediatrics or cancer treatment, often choose what are called Restricted funds. Grants from these funds enhance the operations in these specific target areas.