Supporting Sentara team members in times of unexpected crisis

The Sentara Foundation is dedicated to responding to the needs of the communities, patients, and people we serve. As part of this commitment, the HOPE Fund (Helping Overcome Personal Emergency) provides compassionate, one-time financial support to team members facing significant, unexpected hardships.

Established in 2003, the HOPE Fund reflects a shared commitment to supporting those who care for our patients and communities every day.

  • Healthcare professionals wearing scrubs and stethoscopes sit around a conference table reviewing documents and discussing information during a team meeting in a clinical setting.

    About the HOPE Fund

    The HOPE Fund assists team members facing unexpected, life-changing events, such as serious illness, family emergencies, loss, or natural disasters. Support is intended to address urgent, short-term needs during times of crisis and is not designed for ongoing financial challenges.

  • Group of healthcare employees stand in front of a Sentara hospital building holding a “Thank You” banner outside the main entrance.

    Generosity in action

    Since 2003, our shared commitment has turned compassion into action. In 2025:

    • 735+ Sentara team members received critical financial assistance.
    • $1M+ was distributed directly to colleagues navigating unforeseen challenges.
    • 20+ years of standing together as a resilient community.

    Each number represents a moment when timely support made a difference.

The power of your gift

Gifts to the HOPE Fund provide direct assistance to team members during critical moments. 100% of gifts support colleagues experiencing a qualifying crisis.

Your tax-deductible gifts help cover essential, emergency life expenses, including:

  • Housing and utilities: Preventing emergency eviction, foreclosure, or utility disconnection.
  • Personal tragedy: Supporting team members facing extraordinary personal hardship, such as domestic violence or the sudden loss of expected financial support.
  • Daily essentials: Providing quick relief for groceries, childcare, and other urgent needs.

Your generosity ensures that support is available when it is needed most.

"The HOPE Fund means exactly what it says: hope. It’s genuinely there to help people through unforeseen hardships."

- Scott J., HOPE Fund Recipient

Make an online donation

Make a secure, one-time or recurring gift to support the HOPE Fund.

Give now

Sentara team members also have the option to support the HOPE Fund through ongoing payroll deduction during Open Enrollment.

Need support?

If you are a Sentara team member facing a personal crisis, we are here for you. To ensure a timely, fair, and equitable distribution of funds, the HOPE Fund is administered in close partnership with The Planning Council.

All applications and requests are reviewed promptly, with the utmost care, sensitivity, and strict confidentiality.

How to apply:

If you would like to explore eligibility, learn about qualifying events, and begin an application for HOPE Fund assistance, please visit the HOPE Fund page on the Sentara intranet (SharePoint). If you need help locating this page, you can search “HOPE Fund” in SharePoint.

For confidential help or questions, you may also reach out directly to The Planning Council.