Since the inception of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, every GHHS chapters has been awarded a onetime start-up grant of $2,000 to help establish their induction ceremony and chapter activities. GHHS chapters find additional support for their activities in a number of ways.
Funds available to Chapters
Institutional: GHHS chapters often are able to obtain support from the Office of the Dean, Office of Student Affairs, or from departmental offices within their
Fundraising: Some GHHS chapters pursue fundraising in the form of bake sales and other services to raise money for GHHS chapter
GHHS Chapter Activity Grants: Grants of up to $1,500 are available from the GHHS national office to support sustainable GHHS chapter activities, programs, research, educational projects, and other efforts to create a culture of humanistic medical care. Mentoring projects are particularly encouraged. Please note that GHHS will not fund honoraria for speakers or fundraising for chapters, individuals, or other organizations. For instructions on how to apply, visit: http://www.gold- foundation.org/programs/ghhs/chapter-grants-application-process/
Alumni donations: Institutions with GHHS alumni occasionally solicit contributions from them for GHHS-sponsored
Philanthropy: Some chapters are supported by philanthropic gifts to the educational institution from grateful patients. There are some Chapters “Named” for Donors or Inspirational Mentors that may involve a concomitant endowment to the
GHHS National Initiative Funding: Up to $400 in funding for GHHS National Initiatives is available to each GHHS chapter at institutions in compliance with our annual dues requirements. To be in dues compliance, your GHHS chapter’s medical school must have either 1) paid the annual GHHS dues in full or joined the Gold Partners Council, 2) applied and been approved for hardship waivers, or 3) qualified for the new chapter exclusion. For more information, please visit our website.
Annual Chapter Fees for Host Educational Institution
The Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) was created in 2002. In the 16 years since, it has grown to more than 140 chapters and 30,000 members. The Gold Foundation has never charged dues at either the student level or the school level and instead absorbed the cost of supporting and expanding the honor society for the benefit of the medical schools and students. Such a fast-growing, national network requires substantial logistical and administrative support to maintain a cohesive identity.
Beginning in July 2018, an annual GHHS chapter fee of $3,500 was instituted for medical schools with GHHS chapters. This GHHS chapter fee reflects the estimated annual cost of administrative and logistical support, which the Gold Foundation has absorbed for medical schools since 2002.