Mayo Clinic is consistently ranked the number one hospital in the world by Newsweek — for eight consecutive years as of 2025. It is also a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that depends on philanthropy to fund research, education, and care programs that go beyond what patient revenue covers. Here is what donating to Mayo Clinic actually funds, how to give, and how local nonprofits can apply for grants from Mayo Clinic's community program.
Mayo Clinic was founded in Rochester, Minnesota in 1864 by William Worrall Mayo and later built into a formal medical practice by his sons, William J. Mayo and Charles H. Mayo. In 1919, the Mayo brothers donated their practice and most of their personal assets to establish Mayo Clinic as a nonprofit organization. That founding act of philanthropy established the model the institution still runs on today.
Mayo Clinic operates three main campuses — Rochester, Minnesota; Jacksonville, Florida; and Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona — plus the Mayo Clinic Health System, a network of hospitals and clinics across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Its Department of Development manages philanthropic giving across all campuses.
In 2025, Mayo Clinic received its largest single gift in its history: $200 million from Jay Alix, founder of a corporate consulting firm, followed by an additional $15 million endowed gift. These donations fund cancer research and patient care programs.
The simplest option. Accepts credit cards, debit cards, and ACH bank transfers. You'll receive an email receipt immediately after completing your gift, which serves as your official tax documentation. Designate your gift to a specific campus, research area, or program if you have a preference.
Available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time. Development staff can set up recurring automatic gifts from a checking account or credit card and answer questions about directing your donation.
Mail to: Mayo Clinic Department of Development, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905. Include a note indicating where you want the gift directed (general use, cancer research, education, etc.).
Mayo Clinic accepts grants from donor advised funds. Use Mayo Clinic's EIN (41-6011702) when submitting a grant recommendation through your DAF provider. This is a popular option for donors who batch charitable deductions for tax purposes.
Donating appreciated stock avoids capital gains tax and may provide a larger deduction than a cash gift. Contact the Department of Development at 855-852-8129 to arrange a securities transfer.
Mayo Clinic's gift planning team at plannedgiving.mayoclinic.org handles bequests, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, and life insurance beneficiary designations. Planned giving donors are recognized through the Mayo Clinic Heritage Society.
Mayo Clinic's philanthropy funds three interconnected areas: patient care, research, and education. Unlike hospital systems where philanthropy supplements operating budgets, Mayo Clinic uses donated funds specifically for programs and research that fall outside normal patient care revenue.
Mayo Clinic provides grants to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits within its service areas through its Community Contributions Program. In 2024, this program distributed over $14 million to hundreds of local nonprofit organizations. Grants focus on programs that address health needs identified in local Community Health Needs Assessments — primarily food security, mental health access, substance use treatment, housing stability, and chronic disease prevention.
Service areas covered: communities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Arizona, and Florida where Mayo Clinic operates facilities. Organizations outside these areas are not eligible for Community Contributions grants.
To apply or learn more about grant cycles: communityengagement.mayoclinic.org
Mayo Clinic also accepts food donations from the public — the organization donates over 53,000 pounds of food annually to Community Food Response in Rochester, Minnesota.
More Charity Profiles
Sources: Mayo Clinic Department of Development (mayoclinic.org/giving-to-mayo-clinic); Mayo Clinic Community Engagement (communityengagement.mayoclinic.org); Newsweek World's Best Hospitals 2025; Mayo Clinic 2024 annual community report. For informational purposes only — verify current programs and grant cycles directly with Mayo Clinic.