The Ruth Gottscho Kidney Foundation

The Ruth Gottscho Kidney Foundation Kicks Off $1 Million Matching Funds Endowment Campaign

April marked the start of an endowment fundraising campaign to ensure The Ruth Gottscho Kidney Foundation (RGKF) camp program continues in perpetuity.

Our goal is to raise $1 million, which will help us secure a $5 million endowment fund and sustain our camp program for decades to come. The RGKF has funded a camp experience at Frost Valley for 50 years. It’s the nation’s only sleep-away camp where “kidney kids” are seamlessly integrated with healthy children. The impact of this program is profound; it has transformed the lives of more than 2,000 kids over the years. And our campers leave with memories of adventure and friendships, gain life skills, and grow a sense of confidence that helps shape their futures in positive ways.

Our History

Ruth Gottscho was 15 years old when she died of kidney disease in 1960, before dialysis was widely available. Her parents founded the RGKF to help other New Jersey kidney patients that same year. For several years, we purchased home dialysis machines for families who could not afford this life-saving equipment. When Medicare began covering much of the treatment kidney patients needed, the RGKF shifted its focus to helping children with kidney disorders attend summer camp — a dream of Ruth’s that wasn’t possible during her lifetime.

The RGKF became a fund affiliated with the Community Foundation of New Jersey in 2020 to help sustain our work into the future, maintain our existing mission, and make the greatest positive impact on children and their families.

How Can You Help?

To launch this endowment campaign, Judy Gottscho Eichinger and Rick Gottscho are offering a matching challenge to donors. Together, they will match every dollar donors give — up to $500,000. This means your donation will have double the impact; every $1 you give becomes $2 for kidney campers.

You can give in two ways:

• Donate online: Visit the CFNJ giving portal to make your donation.
• Send a check: Make your check payable to “Community Foundation of New Jersey” and write “Ruth Gottscho Kidney Foundation” on the memo line. Mail it to Community Foundation of New Jersey, P.O. Box 338, Morristown, NJ 07963-0338.

Your donation will make the dream of sleep-away summer camp a reality for kids with kidney disorders and secure the future of a program that has brought hope and joy to so many. We thank you for your generosity and for helping us reach our $1 million goal.

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