To our community of donors:
At CHEST, we share a common purpose—to advance chest medicine in ways that improve patient care. Philanthropy plays a crucial role in achieving this mission, allowing us to push the boundaries of research, elevate medical education, and directly impact communities in need. Because of your generosity, 2024 was a year of extraordinary progress—and it was your investment that made it possible.
This past year, we embraced a new giving structure designed to align more closely with the priorities of our members and supporters. We listened, we adapted, and, together, we built a philanthropic community that is stronger than ever. In response to donor feedback and a shared commitment to strengthening the next generation of clinicians, the Board of Advisors merged the Support of the Profession and Dedication to Education pillars. This shift allows us to focus more intentionally on providing world-class education and professional development to all who seek to advance their knowledge. It reflects our commitment to listening, evolving, and ensuring that philanthropy at CHEST remains as impactful as possible.
With your support, we set out to distribute $600,000 in grants—and we not only did it, we surpassed it, distributing $700,000. That's $700,000 invested in our members, our field, and the future of chest medicine—funding innovative research, expanding access to education and training, and delivering critical resources to communities in need. We raised more than $1.2 million from more than 900 donors, an incredible testament to the commitment of our community. Even more remarkably, 58% of those donors were new or reactivated, marking a banner year for CHEST philanthropy.
The additional dollars raised beyond what was awarded this year are not just excess—they are a crucial investment in the sustainability of CHEST philanthropy. These funds allow us to strategically plan future giving targets, expand the reach of our programs, and ensure that philanthropy at CHEST continues to grow, innovate, and make a lasting impact on our field. They are never used outside of our philanthropic mission and set us up to be responsive to immediate needs and future challenges.
Your generosity has fueled advances across our now three core pillars:
- Clinical Research: With nearly $350,000 in research grants awarded, we enabled groundbreaking studies that explore pressing challenges across pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. Your support is creating pathways for new treatments and advancements that will shape patient care for years to come.
- Dedication to Education: Through travel grants and mentorship programs, we ensured that 50 early career clinicians attended the CHEST Annual Meeting, expanding access to world-class learning and professional connections. Your contributions are helping to shape the future leaders of our field.
- Community Impact: With targeted funding and an eye toward participatory grant-making, we connected vital health resources to underserved communities, supporting initiatives like asthma education, expanded access to care for patients with interstitial lung disease, and community-driven programs tackling health disparities. Your gifts didn’t just support medicine—they transformed lives.
2024 was a milestone year, but we are just getting started. The strength of CHEST philanthropy is not measured by numbers alone—it is measured in the collective commitment of people like you who believe in the power of research, education, and community to drive meaningful change. You are part of something bigger—a coalition of support ensuring that the profession you love continues to grow, evolve, and improve patient care worldwide.
We are deeply grateful for your generosity, your belief in this mission, and the trust you place in CHEST. Thank you for being a part of this journey. We look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the year ahead.
With appreciation,