Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Where the Power of Childhood Meets the Power of Research

Oct 10, 2019 9:00 AM ET
Campaign: Connecting Business to Cause

The Children’s Inn at NIH is “A Place Like Home.” The Inn provides free lodging, meals, therapeutic, educational, and recreational programming for families who come to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for groundbreaking clinical research studies. Each year, more than 1,700 children stay at The Inn as they participate in over 546 clinical trials at the NIH. The support from donors like you makes this possible by providing respite to families who stay at The Inn, relieving the burden of having to worry about accommodations or activities. With this, families can focus on the health and medical needs of their children.

Since The Inn opened its doors in 1990, we have supported more than 15,000 children and their families from all 50 states and 94 countries. With the ability to house up to 59 families every night, we take care of the little things, so our families can stay focused on the big ones, like keeping their child happy, making time for themselves and supporting one another.

In our vibrant community spaces, kitchens host nightly family dinners, children run from the game room to the teen lounge, and parents enjoy a morning cup of coffee in our cozy bistro. Because each member of the family needs support, our programs are available to siblings, parents, and caregivers. Last year, we offered 1,400 recreational, educational, and therapeutic activities that let families experience the joys of everyday life; exploring exhibits at the Smithsonian or turning the frustration of illness into art in one of our many creative classes.

The NIH, one of the world’s foremost medical research centers, makes discoveries that improve health and save lives. These children are driving innovations that will be the first steps to eradicating diseases and making better lives possible not only for themselves and also future generations.

The Children’s Inn is a private, nonprofit organization, and is responsible for raising its funds to provide support services to the families who stay at The Inn. It relies significantly on the generosity of its many donors to be able to support its programs and services entirely.

Every donation you make will help us relieve the burden of illness for our families:

  • $300: Provides a fun activity at The Inn
  • $250: Allows a family one night’s lodging at The Inn
  • $100: Serves a grab & go breakfast to families before doctor visits
  • $50: Provides one week of groceries for an Inn family
  • $25: Provides a new game or toy Inn children can enjoy

Abram’s Story

Abram looked like a healthy baby. However, frequent infections and fever spikes of up to 106 degrees frightened his parents and baffled his doctors in St. Louis, Missouri. As Abram grew, the fevers came every four to six weeks, coupled with excruciating joint pain that made it difficult for him to walk or even play. A diagnosis with a rare fever disorder finally brought Abram to the National Institutes of Health.

Doctors at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) admitted Abram to a natural history study that allows them to learn more about the little-understood autoinflammatory disease. He is part of genetic testing to see if doctors can identify the pathways or maybe even the gene that is causing his symptoms. Doctors are also working toward finding an effective treatment, so patients like Abram can be more active – and in his case, go back to school and get back into the sports that he so loves.

Since 2017, Abram and his family have visited The NIH eight times. On each visit, The Children’s Inn has provided accommodation, meals, and recreational activities to take his mind off his sickness or pain.  Thanks to The Children’s Inn, Abram continues to do the things he loves best such as arts and crafts, cuddling with The Inn’s therapy dog Zilly, or playing with a new friend.

Abram is one of more than 1,700 children who stay at The Children’s Inn every year to seek help and hope in a clinical research studies and trials at NIH – help they cannot find anywhere else. However, The Children’s Inn cannot do this without your support. Please help children like Abram and their families by supporting The Children’s Inn with your CFC contribution. Every dollar you give allows children to participate in groundbreaking clinical research that can help children now and for generations to come. Every dollar makes a difference!

Thanks to your support of The Inn, Abram looks forward to every visit to the NIH where he gets one-of-a-kind medical care.

Support The Children's Inn at NIH through your employee giving program:

As a donor, you can support The Children's Inn at NIH by donating to them through your employer’s workplace giving program (CFC#10324 if you're a military or federal employee participating in the Combined Federal Campaign). Payroll pledges made through employer-sponsored charitable giving programs represent a cost effective and near effortless way to support your favorite charities.

As The Children's Inn at NIH's workplace giving partner, America’s Charities can help your company design and implement a program centered on supporting their work - through workplace giving campaigns, employee fundraising, cause-focused signature programs, volunteerism, donation drives, matching gifts, Dollars-for-Doers, In-Kind Giving and other employee engagement and philanthropic initiatives. Click here to request a demo and learn how we can help you do this.