Choc Foundation

CHOC Children's Foundation provides resources and creates partnerships that support CHOC Children's mission to nurture, advance and protect the health and well-being of children.  CHOC's vision is to be the leading destination for children's health by providing exceptional and innovative care.

Founded in 1964 with support from visionaries like Walt Disney and Walter Knott, CHOC began as Orange County’s first children’s hospital. With strong partnerships, especially with the Sisters of St. Joseph and St. Joseph Hospital, CHOC quickly grew from a 62-bed facility into a leading pediatric health system delivering primary, specialty and emergency care across multiple counties. Our focus on expanding access continued with the opening of CHOC at Mission Hospital in 1993 and most recently with our 2025 merger to establish Rady Children’s Health, one of the largest pediatric healthcare systems in the U.S. Every milestone in our history reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation, compassionate care, and community-driven growth. 

As a non-profit, safety net hospital, CHOC provides more than $135 million in uncompensated care each year—ensuring all children have access to essential services, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. As Defenders of Childhood, we are committed to delivering the best medical care while also prioritizing art, music, pet therapy and other emotional supports to preserve the magic of
childhood throughout our patients’ treatment journeys. We provide compassionate, whole-person care that supports each child’s physical health, mental wellness and spiritual well-being—honoring every family’s unique needs.

Our progress is driven by the shared vision of our medical and research experts; and it is powered by generosity from the community. Philanthropy is the force that turns possibility into reality. It accelerates innovation, expands access, and ensures that every child, regardless of circumstance, receives the care they deserve. Every gift helps us move faster, reach farther, and dream bigger. There are many ways to get involved and partner with us to improve the lives and futures of the children in our care. With children’s futures at stake, philanthropy is essential. Together, we can move beyond incremental change and create transformational impact that lasts for generations.

2.5 million children across 6 counties depend on CHOC.  In certain specialties, CHOC serves children from other parts of California, and other states and nations.