Phil & Penny Knight Donate $75M to Expand Heart Care at Providence Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. – Phil Knight, co-founder of Nike, and his wife Penny have committed a second gift of February 22, 2026, totaling $75 million to Providence Heart Institute and Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. This substantial donation aims to significantly expand cardiac care capabilities and pioneer new frontiers in heart treatment within Oregon and the wider Pacific Northwest.

The latest contribution matches the largest single gift in the history of Providence Oregon, mirroring the scale of the Knights’ initial $75 million donation. Over the past decade, the couple’s cumulative giving to the Providence Heart Institute has reached nearly $200 million – the largest overall contribution ever received by the institute. This sustained philanthropy directly supports care for tens of thousands of individuals each year, addressing life-threatening heart conditions across the region.

The Knights’ generosity has been instrumental in ensuring patients have access to cutting-edge resources, including participation in pioneering clinical trials, advanced medical procedures, and specialized care pathways. Providence highlighted the certification of its heart transplant program as a direct result of the impact of the couple’s first major gift, demonstrating a tangible improvement in the availability of critical services.

To acknowledge this most recent donation, Providence has established the Knight Innovation Fund. This fund is specifically designed to broaden access to state-of-the-art cardiac programs and provide crucial support for the work of clinicians at both Providence Heart Institute and Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. The fund represents a commitment to not only treating existing heart conditions but also proactively advancing the field of cardiac medicine.

Beyond expanding access to existing programs, the gift will accelerate efforts to attract top medical talent from around the globe, fostering the development of specialized centers of excellence. Investment in novel technologies, broadened prevention and wellness initiatives, and expanded clinical offerings are also key components of the plan. These combined efforts are intended to improve patient outcomes, extending lives and enhancing overall health.

“Phil and Penny have allowed us to be bold in our thinking so that You can continue to meet the diverse health needs of current and future patients,” stated Dr. Dan Oseran, executive medical director of Providence Heart Institute. “Their additional investment is a validation of what we’ve been able to accomplish thus far, and more importantly, creates a path for the future.”

The Knights’ philanthropic impact extends beyond cardiac care. Last August, they pledged $2 billion to Oregon Health & Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute, marking the largest donation ever made to an educational institution. This demonstrates a broad commitment to improving healthcare outcomes across multiple critical areas of medicine within the state of Oregon.

Jennifer Burrows, chief executive for Providence Oregon, emphasized the far-reaching impact of the Knights’ ongoing support. “The Knights’ ongoing commitment touches the lives of so many individuals and families across our entire region. All of us are so deeply grateful for their partnership in creating a better health care future.”

Providence officials note that the sustained generosity of the Knights has elevated the Providence Heart Institute to national recognition, positioning it as a model for comprehensive and innovative cardiac care. The institute currently serves over 60,000 patients annually, with a team of more than 100 providers specializing across 14 distinct areas of heart care. This expanded capacity, fueled by the Knights’ contributions, will allow Providence to address the growing needs of a regional population facing an increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disease.

The Knight Innovation Fund will be crucial in supporting the development and implementation of new technologies and treatment strategies. While specific details regarding the allocation of funds are still being finalized, Providence has indicated a focus on areas such as minimally invasive surgical techniques, advanced imaging technologies, and personalized medicine approaches tailored to individual patient needs. The goal is to provide the most effective and least invasive treatments possible, minimizing recovery times and improving long-term outcomes.

The impact of this donation is expected to be felt throughout the healthcare system, not only at Providence Heart Institute, and St. Vincent Medical Center but also through collaborations with other institutions and research organizations. By fostering innovation and attracting top talent, the Knights’ gift has the potential to transform cardiac care in the Pacific Northwest for generations to come.