Our story

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Our story

When psychiatric social worker Barbara Jonas and retail executive Donald Jonas learned the extent of America’s shortage of professional nurses, they were determined to end this healthcare crisis.

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about our founders

Our promise

Jonas Philanthropies is improving healthcare for the better by investing where it matters most. We address high-need issues and audiences with high-impact solutions: promoting leadership in nursing and veterans healthcare, preventing and treating low vision and blindness, and protecting our children’s environmental health.

Continuing the legacy

The Jonas legacy continues to be carried out by family members, John Jonas, Founder and CEO, The Jonas Group and Co-President, Jonas Philanthropies and Lendri Purcell, Co-President, Jonas Philanthropies, Founder, Trees for Climate Health and Co-Founder FACTS (Families Advocating for Chemical and Toxics Safety). John and Lendri now lead the Jonas Philanthropies Advisory Board and the organization’s ongoing commitment to serving the nation’s most vulnerable communities.

Our people

Jonas Philanthropies is led and supported by leaders and experts from the worlds of healthcare, science, business, philanthropy and education.

In the news

Each day across the country, Jonas Philanthropies is actively engaging with the healthcare system — forging partnerships, promoting bold leadership and applying our business acumen to address pressing issues.