$28 million latest gift from Sidney and Caroline Kimmel fuels hospital expansion, elevating their giving to $1.3 billion
With a lifetime of generosity that now surpasses $1.3 billion, Sidney and Caroline Kimmel have firmly cemented their place among America’s most impactful philanthropists.
Their latest $28 million gift to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia is more than just another major contribution—it’s a reflection of their enduring belief in the power of medicine, research, and education to elevate humanity.
The new donation will fund a sweeping renovation of Jefferson’s Center City emergency department, which will be renamed the Caroline Kimmel Emergency Department in tribute to their continued support. The renovation—set to launch in July 2025—will introduce redesigned treatment bays, an expanded entrance, and a reimagined waiting room to provide patients and families with a more compassionate, efficient experience during moments of greatest need.
But as with all Kimmel gifts, the impact goes deeper.
A significant portion of the funding will be directed toward advancing clinical and translational research at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College, accelerating Jefferson’s ability to convert scientific breakthroughs into life-saving treatments and cures.
This latest contribution brings the Kimmels’ total support for Jefferson to more than $150 million—a relationship defined not only by extraordinary giving but by shared vision and long-term commitment.
Their landmark $110 million gift in 2014 led to the renaming of the medical college in Mr. Kimmel’s honor.
The Kimmels’ philanthropic influence stretches far beyond Philadelphia.
Their unwavering support for healthcare, cancer research, education, and the arts has left a profound mark on many of the nation’s most esteemed institutions:
Thomas Jefferson University $150+ million Medical college, emergency department, research
Johns Hopkins University $150 million Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center $150 million Cancer research
UCLA $45 million Stem cell research
National Constitution Center $25 million Civic education
Other institutions (various) Hundreds of millions Arts, education, and health initiatives
A self-made entrepreneur whose career in the fashion industry was marked by vision and success, Sidney Kimmel—together with his wife Caroline—has used philanthropy as a means to extend opportunity and dignity to others.
Whether through establishing world-class cancer centers, underwriting civic education, or investing in medical research, their giving has helped shape a future driven by hope, healing, and discovery.
Their legacy is both expansive and deeply personal.
Each gift reflects a thoughtful understanding of how institutions thrive when generosity and purpose come together. In every sector they touch, the Kimmels are synonymous with transformative impact—advancing the frontiers of medicine, deepening access to education, and enriching the cultural and civic life of the nation.
As they continue to lead with vision and compassion, Sidney and Caroline Kimmel are more than benefactors—they are a philanthropic force whose contributions will echo for generations to come.