$20 million gift to health center from Patty and Jay Baker extends their giving to well over $200 million

As fundraising surges ahead for the Naples, Florida, NCH Healthcare System’s $295 million heart and stroke center, one couple stands at the heart of the effort.

Patty and Jay Baker, long considered the marquee philanthropists of Naples, have committed $20 million to the project—the single largest donation so far—extending their remarkable record of community investment.

The Bakers’ donation is not an isolated act of generosity but part of an extraordinary lifetime of giving that has surpassed $200 million across the arts, education, and healthcare.

Their philanthropy has touched nearly every facet of civic life in Naples and far beyond, helping transform both the cultural landscape and the future of medical care in Southwest Florida.

In the arts, their contributions exceed $70 million, highlighted by their enduring relationship with Artis–Naples, where the Baker Museum, dedicated in 2000 and expanded in 2019, serves as one of the region’s premier cultural institutions.

Their impact is evident in the museum’s collections, galleries, and scholarships, each a testament to their commitment to cultural growth. They have also supported Broadway productions and theater projects in New York, bringing their influence to national and international stages.

Education has been another central pillar of their giving, with donations topping $60 million.

The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City received tens of millions of dollars from the family, which was used to fund scholarships, faculty positions, and new facilities.

Dartmouth College, Patty Baker’s alma mater, has also been a significant beneficiary, with gifts exceeding $10 million.

Juilliard and other institutions of higher learning have seen similar multi-million-dollar commitments, each reflecting the Bakers’ belief that education unlocks opportunity and fuels creativity.

Now, with their $20 million lead gift to NCH, the Bakers are devoting their philanthropy to health care at a scale never before seen in Naples.

The decision reflects both personal conviction and a sense of duty to their adopted hometown.

Naples is one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida, with a large retiree population facing heightened risks for heart disease and stroke.

The Bakers have spoken openly about watching friends leave the city in search of advanced cardiac care elsewhere. By anchoring NCH’s campaign, they hope to change that trajectory and ensure leading-edge care is available locally when minutes matter most.

The Bakers’ gift has had a multiplier effect. Since its announcement, hospital officials have reported a surge in giving, including a recently unveiled $10 million donation toward state-of-the-art imaging technology. Philanthropy experts say the Bakers’ involvement has provided the credibility and urgency needed to galvanize further support, with several new gifts expected to be announced later this year.

In total, then, the Bakers’ giving paints a portrait of one of the most influential philanthropic couples in the country: more than $70 million in the arts, over $60 million in education, tens of millions across civic causes, and now $20 million directly into healthcare in Naples, with cumulative commitments above $200 million.

Their approach, as Jay Baker has often stated, is to support projects that transform institutions and leave lasting benefits for future generations.

With the NCH Heart Center scheduled to open in 2027, the Bakers’ $20 million ensures their name will be permanently linked to the evolution of healthcare in Naples.

For a community that has grown used to its outsized generosity in culture and education, the leap to medicine marks a new chapter.

Their giving has already helped define Naples as a cultural hub. Now, it is poised to help secure its role as a medical destination as well.