The cornerstone for Dominican Hospital Foundation was laid in 1966 when a citizens' committee raised $1 million to help build the first phases of Dominican Hospital's present facility on Soquel Drive in Santa Cruz, Calif.

In 1968, the citizen's committee evolved into a formal development committee of the Dominican Hospital Board of Directors. This association continued until July 1977, when Dominican Hospital Foundation was formally incorporated as a separate non-profit California corporation with the expressed purpose of providing philanthropic support for Dominican Hospital and its healthcare mission in Santa Cruz County.

Today, the Foundation's Board of Trustees is made up of 55 community members, who volunteer their time and expertise. The board represents the community Dominican serves, seeks donations to support the hospital, invests restricted and endowed funds, and represents donors in funding specific equipment and programs that enable Dominican to provide the best healthcare possible to our community.

Dominican Hospital and its Foundation are continually looking ahead to anticipate future needs and develop model programs to benefit the people of Santa Cruz.