About the Foundation
The Wilson Research Foundation was established in 1989 with a seed gift by the H.F. McCarty Jr. Family. The Foundation is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization and serves as the “fundraising arm” of Methodist Rehab. Mr. McCarty asked that the Foundation be named to honor Earl R. Wilson, founding chairman of MRC, and his wife Martha, for their tireless work helping Mississippians overcome disabling obstacles.
Our Mission
From the very beginning, the Foundation’s focus has been to raise funds to build a research and education program that would establish a rehabilitation center of excellence. The very best hospitals are research centers, and as a research center, Methodist is able to attract excellent clinicians and researches who work side by side to move research discoveries quickly into clinical practice. Therapists learn advanced techniques and patients benefit directly from access to the research labs. The program also has a global impact, with close to 300 clinical (human) research studies in publication. Learn more about our research here.
Your gifts to the Wilson Research Foundation help us build on our discoveries and help patients recover to their potential. In the past year alone, more than 500 persons and businesses made gifts to support this life-changing work. And the Foundation needs to raise a minimum of $1 Million annually 2020-2022 to meet the center's research and education needs. This will provide stable funding to retain and expand our team of research scientists, and help us purchase groundbreaking technology. Most of all, your gifts are an investment in the patients at MRC -- everyday Mississippians who are able to get back to their lives with your help.
Our biggest annual event is the Walk & Roll for Research: The 11th Annual Walk will take place on April 4, 2020. This heartwarming, low impact event raises more than $100,000 a year and it's a great way to honor those we admire for overcoming disabling obstacles. The Walk website will open in early 2020. View our 2019 Walk & Roll results here.
| Visionaries | $500,000 + |
| Pillars | $200,000 - $499,999 |
| Pioneers | $85,000 - $199,999 |
| Sustainers | $25,000 - $84,999 |
| Partners | $5,000 - $24,999 |
| Fellows | $1,000 - $4,999 |
| Friends | Up to $1,000 |
Leadership
The Wilson Research Foundation is led by a Board of Governors appointed by the MRC Trustees: