Giving Societies

Doing good in good company

Every year, generous members of the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) community demonstrate their commitment to the mission of SVMC. Their donations are a vote of confidence in our ability to provide the best possible healthcare for the community.

All donations are valued. Each donor, of any amount, is listed in our Annual Report.

We honor and recognize these individuals who support SVMC most generously through three giving societies:

• Centennial Society
• Equinox Circle
• Henry W. Putnam Circle

As a member of a giving society, you have the opportunity to play an important role in the financial health of SVMC and demonstrate a long-term commitment to the health of our community. In addition, your membership in these societies includes exclusive invitations to special events and receptions and recognition on the Donor Wall in the hospital.

To learn more about our giving societies or become a member, please call the SVHC Foundation or give now by credit card.

Our giving societies

Centennial Society

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On August 16, 1916, the cornerstone for Southwestern Vermont Medical Center was laid and commemorated with a groundbreaking ceremony. The hospital opened on June 10, 1918. We celebrate our founding donors, Henry W. Putnam and his son, Henry W. Putnam, Jr., and their unheralded vision and generosity.

The Centennial Society is comprised of a league of visionary philanthropists celebrated for their foresight, generosity, and steadfast commitment to exceptional health care in our region. Like our hospital founders, the Putnams, the Centennial Society is family of distinguished donors whose unparalleled philanthropy will echo through generations.

Equinox Circle

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Equinox Circle is Southwestern Vermont Health Care's esteemed donor recognition society. It is composed of the health system's most loyal and dedicated individual, foundation, and corporate benefactors.

With their gifts of $1,000 or more, members of the Equinox Circle strengthen our tradition of excellent health care by supporting patient care services and new medical technology.

Members are recognized and celebrated for their generosity and support. They receive exclusive invitations to a recognition reception, tours and demonstrations.

Equinox Circle members must renew annually to receive continuing recognition. See the Annual Report for a complete list of Equinox Circle Members.

Equinox Circle levels of giving:

• Philanthropist: $50,000 to $99,000
• Guardian: $25,000 to $49,000
• Patron: $10,000 to $24,999
• Leader: $5,000 to $9,999
• Innovator: $2,500 to $4,999
• Pacesetter: $1,000 to $2499

Putnam Circle

There is no better way to leave a legacy than to remember Southwestern Vermont Health Care in your estate plans.

By including SVMC in your will now, you can make a lasting contribution to ensure that the resources necessary to serve the health care needs of our community are here for future generations.

Making a bequest is as simple as asking your attorney to include specific language in your will expressing your wish to do so. Once you have made a bequest and informed SVMC that you have done so, you may become a member of the Henry W. Putnam Circle.

The Circle is named in honor of our first benefactor, Henry W. Putnam, Sr., who deeded the Bennington Water Works to the Town of Bennington in 1912 "for the establishment of a public hospital." The Circle also pays tribute to his son, Henry W. Putnam, Jr., who supported the hospital with many lifetime gifts, followed by his $3 million bequest that today forms the nucleus of the endowment funds.

Membership in the Henry W. Putnam Circle is awarded by voluntary application to those who have provided for Southwestern Vermont Health Care or one of its nonprofit subsidiaries in their wills or estate plans.