Support Life-Saving Research With Your Gift

Online Giving

One-time Gift

Area of Greatest Need

Your contribution to TSF’s Area of Greatest Need benefits hundreds of cardiothoracic surgery professionals through research awards and educational grants. This fund provides unrestricted dollars that allow TSF the flexibility to respond to emerging issues and to make a difference in the specialty. Click here to make a secure, tax-deductible donation online now.

Support Designated Funds

Donors may contribute to a specific TSF Award or special initiative through a designated gift, and provide important funding to awards focused on a specific sub-specialty or mission. Click here to make your online gift and choose your designation from the drop-down menu. 

Make Your Gift by Phone or Mail

Call the TSF team at 312-202-5868 to make a gift by phone, or mail your contribution made payable to The Thoracic Surgery Foundation to: 

The Thoracic Surgery Foundation
633 N St. Clair Street, Suite 2100
Chicago, IL  60611

Print a Donation Form‍

to include with your gift sent by mail.

Recurring Gifts

Monthly Giving

Your monthly contribution provides The Thoracic Surgery Foundation with a steady source of support for the many awards and scholarships granted each year. Monthly giving is a great way to make a meaningful gift a little at a time – and can be earmarked for a designated fund or to our Area of Greatest Need. Sign up for our monthly giving program and make your first gift today. 

Surgeon Match Challenge

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons has announced a very generous matching pledge to TSF for the eighth year of the Surgeon Match Challenge. We are thrilled to report that all surgeon gifts - up to a total of $300,000 - will be matched by STS. Consider a gift today that doubles your impact. Click here to make a secure, tax-deductible donation online right now!

Donor Advised Funds

Making a contribution to The Thoracic Surgery Foundation through your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) provides outstanding tax benefits for you and an immediate gift to support research, education, and innovation in cardiothoracic surgery.

Unlock the potential of your DAF in three easy steps: 

1. Recommend a grant distribution through your DAF administrator
2. Reference TSF’s EIN 36-3635910
3. Indicate your designation for the grant as TSF’s Area of Greatest Need or the specific award or initiative of your choice

You can visit DAF Direct to start the process now. 

Please let us know to expect this DAF grant so that we can provide proper acknowledgement.  

Gifts of Stock

When you make a gift of stock to TSF, you can eliminate the capital gains tax that would be due upon sale of the stock, maximizing your deduction while not affecting your liquidity. You also receive a charitable tax deduction for the full fair market value of the stock that you’ve owned for more than one year.

To make your gift of stock, contact TSF for the DTC number and account information that corresponds with your gift designation so that you may appropriately direct your financial professional. 

Don’t forget to let TSF know to expect this gift of stock so that we can provide proper acknowledgement.

IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution

If you are age 70 ½ or older, you may choose to direct up to $105,000 per year to The Thoracic Surgery Foundation as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA account. Doing so lowers your gross taxable income, thus saving on your overall tax burden. This is a great option for managing the tax effects from Required Minimum Distributions.

If you are requesting the transfer at the end of the tax year, allow enough time for the transfer to be completed by December 31. Do not withdraw the funds yourself, or you will be required to report the withdrawal as taxable income.

There are two options to contribute from your IRA.

Option 1:

Contact your IRA custodian and request a direct transfer to:

The Thoracic Surgery Foundation
633 N St. Clair Street, Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60611
Tax ID: 36-3635910

Option 2:

Send a gift directly to The Thoracic Surgery Foundation using your IRA checkbook. Allow extra time for the gift to clear in order to take a tax deduction in the current calendar year.

With both options, contact TSF with your name, the exact amount of your gift, and the name of your IRA custodian so we can provide you with substantiation for your tax return.

This information is not intended as tax or legal advice. TSF recommends that you consult with your own qualified financial or tax advisors to learn how a gift would work in your circumstances. Laws and regulations governing all gifts vary by state.

Planned Giving

There are many ways to use your estate to leave a legacy to the future of the cardiothoracic surgery specialty. 

Wills & Living Trusts:

Make a generous contribution to The Thoracic Surgery Foundation without reducing your current income by including TSF in your will or living trust. Your bequest may be made for a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your total estate, or the residual amount after expenses have been paid. 

Share the sample bequest language below  with your estate planning attorney to help secure the future of cardiothoracic surgery.

"I give, devise and bequeath to The Thoracic Surgery Foundation, 633 N. St. Clair Street, Suite 2100, Chicago, IL, 60611  (Tax ID# 36-3635910): a. the sum of ____ dollars ($____ ) Or b. ____ percent ( %) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to be used for its unrestricted purpose."

In addition, you can establish a Planned Gift to The Thoracic Surgery Foundation via: 

Life Insurance:

Name the Thoracic Surgery Foundation as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, bank or brokerage account.

Retirement Plans:

Use the assets held in an IRA or other retirement plan to make a significant contribution to The Thoracic Surgery Foundation. 

Charitable Remainder Trust: 

Establish a gift that pays you income and ultimately benefits The Thoracic Surgery Foundation. 

The Thoracic Surgery Foundation will be pleased to assist your financial advisor with including TSF in your estate plan. Contact us here.

If you have already made a planned gift to TSF, please let us know so that we may honor you and recognize your generosity in TSF publications and communications.

This information is not intended as tax or legal advice. TSF recommends that you consult with your own qualified financial or tax advisors to learn how a gift would work in your circumstances. Laws and regulations governing all gifts vary by state.

Gifts in Memory

A gift made to TSF in memory of an honored colleague or family member provides a lasting contribution to the cardiothoracic surgery specialty. Once your gift is received, TSF will send a letter to the family of the honoree informing them of your tribute, while keeping the amount confidential.

Make a gift in memory here or contact TSF to learn more about honoring an individual through our giving opportunities.

Suggested Obituary Language

If you would like to direct gifts to TSF in an obituary or other tribute, consider this suggested memorial gift language:

“In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts in (Name)’s memory to The Thoracic Surgery Foundation. Gifts may be made online or mailed to: TSF, 633 N. St. Clair Street, Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60611."

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Gifts in Honor

Celebrate a special occasion, professional achievement, milestone anniversary, or retirement with a gift that benefits the entire specialty. When you make your gift, we will send an acknowledgment to the honoree informing them of your tribute, while keeping the amount confidential.

Make a gift online in honor of a treasured colleague or contact TSF to learn more about how you can contribute in honor through our other giving opportunities.

Industry Partnerships

TSF is proud to collaborate with committed partners who share our mission to advance heart and lung health for all. To explore available partnership and sponsorship opportunities, contact TSF Executive Director Lee Wiensch.