The Purest Gift

A Connecticut philanthropist discovers the unlimited rewards of unrestricted giving.

Prior to the pandemic, Joe Massoud often took a detour during business trips to Boston. He’d park his car and make his way to 300 Longwood Ave. Immersed in the bustling Boston Children’s lobby, he’d find tranquility.

“It’s sad because you see so many children fighting such trying illnesses,” he says. “But there’s a sense of relief because I know they’re getting the best treatment, and their families are cared for in a loving, supportive way.”

Joe and his family experienced Boston Children’s blend of expertise and compassion when his son underwent lifesaving heart surgery more than 20 years ago. “The staff was competent, calm and confident,” he recalls. “They eased our anxiety, and even though Brendon was just 5 months old, they focused on his mental health as well as his physical health.”

As Brendon blossomed, the Connecticut family stayed connected to the hospital through philanthropy. The Massouds recognized that children with a history of congenital heart conditions face an increased risk for developmental, learning and behavioral challenges. Initially, Joe and his wife Beth directed their gifts to the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program, which offers individualized care and support.

The couple soon realized Boston Children’s patient families and caregivers struggle in many different ways. Parking fees tax an overstretched family budget. Long hospital stays offer few opportunities for childhood pleasures. Grantmakers shy from research focused on rare childhood conditions.

Joe and Beth wanted to help; they decided to pair program and capital pledges with gifts to the Every Child Fund.

“Unrestricted giving is the purest gift. We’re saying: ‘We support the whole institution—the science and services that advance the health and well-being of children and families from around the world.’ We trust the administration to understand what areas are most at need and allocate our gifts appropriately.”