History

The Harold McAlister Charitable Foundation is a private foundation established in 1959 by Harold McAlister. The original Board of Trustees included Harold McAlister (President), Mary McAlister Duque (Trustee), Gabriel C. Duque (Trustee), and Virginia French (Secretary). The Foundation’s first donations were made to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Assistance League of Southern California, and St. Anne’s Maternity Hospital.

Upon its establishment, the Harold McAlister Charitable Foundation continued to build and develop relationships with many organizations tied to healthcare, education, social services, and more. Its first long term commitment was granted to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in 1969. The contribution supported the construction of a new addition to the hospital’s building at the corner of Vermont Ave and Sunset Boulevard. The addition would house the rapidly expanding Emergency Services of the hospital; certain out-patient clinics, such as those providing specialized medical care for adolescents, children with eye problems, or hearing and speech defects; and expanded inpatient bed space.

In 1972, Fern Smith McAlister was brought onto the board as Executive Vice President and Trustee. Later that year, Hobart S. McAlister joined as a Trustee and soon followed his father’s footsteps, becoming the President of the Foundation in 1974.

Since 1998, Patrick McAlister has served as President of the Foundation. While the Foundation maintains long-standing relationships that were established in its early years, it is committed to constantly evolving and creating new connections.