Donor Stories

In October 2011, Fifth Third Bank and the Fifth Third Foundation donated $5 million to the Eskenazi Health Foundation, the largest gift ever from a financial institution in Indiana history. It remains the largest gift from an Indiana financial institution to this day. In honor of the gift, the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County officially named the faculty office building on the Eskenazi Health campus as the Fifth Third Bank Building.

“We are extremely grateful to receive this record gift from Fifth Third in support of the health of our community and our health education efforts throughout Indiana and around the world,” said Ernest Vargo II, CFRE, president and CEO of the Eskenazi Health Foundation. “Fifth Third is a leading corporate citizen in Indianapolis and around the country, and their tremendous support for the health of our community is truly unique among financial institutions. We are deeply appreciative of their support and honored to reflect their generosity in the name of the faculty office building on the Eskenazi Health campus.”

Fifth Third Bank was the first financial institution in the United States to establish a charitable foundation, opening the Fifth Third Foundation in 1948. That year also marked the beginning of a partnership that focuses on increasing the financial literacy of the Central Indiana community and the financial health and vitality of individuals from all walks of life.

“Fifth Third is proud to continue our long history of philanthropy and commitment to building a better tomorrow in the communities we serve with this gift in the name of health care and medical education,” said Nancy Huber, former president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank of Central Indiana. “Eskenazi Health plays a unique role in Central Indiana, and the new hospital campus will be among the most advanced and efficient in the nation. For this unprecedented development, we are proud to provide a record gift.”

The Fifth Third Bank Building is a modern, campus-integrated facility that houses workspace for support functions upholding the hospital’s mission to advocate, care, teach and serve. It also houses workspace for the Indiana University School of Medicine, Purdue University School of Pharmacy and various other academic support programs, including the Regenstrief Institute. Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County developed the 295,000-square-foot building with a research-based strategy to enhance productivity, workflow, efficiency and comfort while also encouraging teamwork, innovation and collaboration among the partners there.

In 2019, the Fifth Third Foundation also awarded a $75,000 grant from its Strengthening our Communities Fund to the Gregory S. Fehribach Center. The center works to spread equitable and sustainable employment opportunities to qualified students with physical disabilities through internships, professional development and networking. The program prides itself on assigning meaningful work that benefits both intern and employer.

In addition, Fifth Third Bank continues to partner with Eskenazi Health through a variety of educational and financial literacy programs offered to Eskenazi Health employees.