Jan. 22, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Jared Isaacman, the billionaire founder of Shift4 and leader of NASA, has committed $30 million to the health of children across the state of Pennsylvania.
Isaacman’s donation will go to three Pennsylvania health systems — Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (known as CHOP), UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation, and The Guthrie Clinic.
“Pennsylvania is my home,” Isaacman said in a statement from CHOP. “My children are growing up here and I want the best possible care for the community. I saw how access to strong hospitals and pediatric care can change the course of a family’s life. Supporting institutions that care for children and strengthen public health across the Commonwealth is deeply personal to me.”
Isaacman’s $20 million contribution to CHOP will go toward the growth and renovation of the Specialty Care & Surgery Center in Brandywine Valley, near Philadelphia. The center will be named after Isaacman.
His $5 million gift to UPMC will support the expansion of the pediatric heart and heart-surgery programs at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Isaacman’s $5 million donation to The Guthrie Clinic will boost emergency services across north-central Pennsylvania, a rural part of the state where emergency departments have trouble hiring staff and meeting demand for services.
Isaacman lives in the Lehigh Valley. He founded what is now Shift4 in the basement of New Jersey home in 1999, when he was 16. Since taking over as NASA Administrator last year, Isaacman has no formal role in Shift4 (NYSE:FOUR) but continues to own a large stake in the company.
Upper Saucon Township-based Shift4 processes point-of-sale credit-card payments for restaurants, hotels and other businesses, and is expanding its financial technology into other fields.
He has flown into space twice on commercial SpaceX missions. Forbes says that as of today, Isaacman is worth about $1.4 billion, making him the 2,233rd wealthiest person in the world.
Here is a link to the CHOP release about Isaacman, and below is a cut-and-paste version:
Jared Isaacman Commits $30 Million to Advance Children’s and Community Health in Pennsylvania
Funding to Support Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation, and The Guthrie Clinic
January 22, 2026
Jared Isaacman today announced a $30 million commitment to three leading Pennsylvania health systems—Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation, and The Guthrie Clinic—underscoring his long-standing dedication to children’s health and the well-being of communities across the Commonwealth.
The contributions will support pediatric care, critical health services, and long-term investments in medical innovation and patient access, strengthening each institution’s ability to serve families throughout Pennsylvania and beyond.
“Pennsylvania is my home,” said Isaacman. “My children are growing up here and I want the best possible care for the community. I saw how access to strong hospitals and pediatric care can change the course of a family’s life. Supporting institutions that care for children and strengthen public health across the Commonwealth is deeply personal to me.”
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
At Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Isaacman’s gift will advance the hospital’s mission of providing world-class pediatric care close to home through the naming of the existing Specialty Care & Surgery Center in Brandywine Valley. The contribution will support the facility’s growth and renovation, with completion projected for late 2026.
“Philanthropy plays an important role in helping CHOP expand our reach so we can give every child a chance at a healthy future,” said Madeline Bell, CEO of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Jared Isaacman’s gift will help us build on this commitment and care for even more children in Delaware and Chester counties. We are deeply grateful to him and his family for their partnership and for supporting our mission of providing exceptional care to every child, close to home.”
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Isaacman’s gift through UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation will support the expansion of the UPMC Children’s Heart Institute, one of the nation’s leading pediatric heart and heart-surgery programs. The new state-of-the-art facility will consolidate services into a single location, enabling a seamless continuum of care, dedicated specialty staff, and advanced medical technology.
“We’re incredibly grateful for Jared Isaacman’s generosity and the impact this gift will have on pediatric heart care in Pittsburgh, across Pennsylvania, and for children around the world,” said Rachel Petrucelli, president of UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation. “The expanded UPMC Children’s Heart Institute will deliver care that is more innovative, integrated, and accessible for every child who needs it.”
The Guthrie Clinic
Isaacman’s support of The Guthrie Clinic will bolster emergency services across north-central Pennsylvania, strengthening Guthrie’s role as a trusted provider in rural and underserved communities.
“Mr. Isaacman’s generous support for Guthrie’s emergency care transformation will allow us to serve more patients, enhance our facilities, and better support our caregivers through additional staffing and security,” said Dr. Edmund Sabanegh, president and CEO of The Guthrie Clinic. “We are deeply grateful for this gift and for Mr. Isaacman’s commitment to rural healthcare.”
Isaacman’s philanthropic efforts reflect a broader commitment to strengthening essential institutions, advancing innovation in healthcare, and ensuring that children and families—regardless of geography—have access to high-quality medical care.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 