Over the years, The Floating Hospital has developed valuable relationships with any number of donors. We have been grateful for the generosity of the organizations that regularly support our mission with targeted funding for special projects, but special thanks must be reserved for supporters of our general operations. Such a funder is the Charles A. Frueauff Foundation (CAFF). The family-run foundation has been a regular and significant donor to the hospital since 2000, with annual unrestricted gifts as well as funds to build our new clinic in 2020 and extra money to deal with the expenses we incurred during the Covid pandemic in 2022. Florence Eng, The Floating Hospital grants manager, said “general operating support (GOS), or unrestricted support, is deeply important to organizations like ours. It provides flexible funding and allows organizations to allocate resources where they are most needed. With GOS, The Floating Hospital can be responsive to unexpected crises (such as the influx of migrants), ensuring we can continue our work without interruption.” The leadership of CAFF understands that “organizations know best what their greatest needs are,” according to Anna Kay Frueauff, the vice president of communications and sister of David Frueauff, the current president of the organization. She added that GOS monies are the “most difficult funds to raise. Often, these expenses include salaries, rent and utilities, etc. If funders believe in the mission and purpose of the organization, then it is our opinion that general operating support is critical to the success of the organization.” Eng added, “Donors who provide general operating support demonstrate to the grantee they trust in the organization’s leadership and ability to make sound financial and strategic decisions. This trust can strengthen the relationship between donors and organizations, fostering long-term partnerships and collaboration such as ours with The Charles A. Frueauff Foundation.”

A history of support

In 1950, the Foundation was established with assets of $5 million by the will of Charles A. Frueauff, who was Anna Kay’s great-great uncle. Her great grandfather and grandfather served as the first presidents. “Under my grandfather’s leadership, the Foundation’s assets increased sevenfold,” she said. According to its website, CAFF “is committed to assisting in areas we feel can make the most profound impact today and tomorrow—focusing on education, human services and health-related causes around the country. CAFF is dedicated and honored to support those on the frontlines, working to address the needs of their neighbors and communities.” Frueauff said that since 1950, CAFF has awarded more than 9,900 grants totaling more than $190 million to 1,200 groups in the sectors of education, social services, and health and hospitals. “Blessed by Charles’s thoughtful planning, intelligence and own philanthropic values, CAFF has been able to address and support issues and organizations that did not exist in 1950,” she noted. With a goal to maintain the physical health and well-being of all our citizens and a belief in the fundamental right to quality of life for all people, CAFF has given funds to hospitals and health agencies since its inception. “Equipment, outreach programs, staff positions, screening and education materials are just a few examples of grants given. Health education programs for at-risk children and their parents, support for the critically ill, AIDS/HIV education programs and nursing scholarships have all received awards in the past decade,” the Foundation said.

‘Everybody deserves healthcare’

“When you go to The Floating Hospital’s website, it reads ‘Everybody Deserves Healthcare. Healthcare is a fundamental human right,’” Frueauff said. “The Hospital provides a safety net to nearly 27,000 children and their adults annually. And nearly 100% of the unhoused families the Hospital serves (40% are children) live below the Federal Poverty Line. CAFF is proud to support the Floating Hospital and its mission.” And we are proud of and grateful for its support. “With stable GOS funding, we can focus on our mission without the constant pressure of securing project-specific grants and managing multiple restricted grants with different reporting requirements,” said Eng. “This streamlined approach allows us to allocate more time and resources toward delivering services and achieving our mission.” Moreover, she noted, “GOS funding allows organizations like The Floating Hospital to innovate and pursue new ideas. We can pilot new programs, explore different approaches, and take calculated risks that might not be possible with restricted funding. This ability to innovate is essential for growth and meeting the evolving needs of the homeless families we serve.”