2025 Annual Report
We are delighted to share The Inn’s 2025 Annual Report–a testament to the extraordinary individuals, organizations, and volunteers whose generosity makes our mission possible this past year. Your steadfast support has kept The Inn “A Place Like Home” for courageous children and families as we navigate an exciting period of transformation.
This past year, 821 families stayed with us free of charge while participating in pioneering clinical trials at the National Institutes of Health. These families came seeking hope and advancement in treatments for genetic conditions, cancer, bone and growth disorders, mental illness, rare diseases, and other profound health challenges. For many, the NIH represents the best chance for a cure and a brighter future—and The Inn provides the comfort of home while they pursue it.
Together, we are transforming lives for children and families facing their greatest challenges.”
Building Tomorrow, Today
We broke ground on The Inn of Tomorrow, embarking on an ambitious construction project designed to serve even more families. Our carefully phased approach allows us to remain fully operational throughout construction, ensuring uninterrupted service despite our reduced footprint. Phase One of this project focuses on completely renovating the north side of our building. In 2026, Phase Two will include the renovation and expansion of the south building, and we look forward to officially opening the doors of The Inn of Tomorrow in 2027.
The completed facility will include the main building, as well as the Young Adult Residence across West Drive—a space specifically designed to meet the unique needs of our young adult guests, featuring six sleeping rooms and dedicated communal areas. Altogether, these improvements will increase capacity by 25%, allowing us to welcome 3,000 families annually.
A Year of Impact and Connection
Amid construction, our community has thrived. In May, An Evening for Hope, our signature annual event, raised over $1.8 million through an unforgettable evening spotlighting Lucy and Landon’s inspiring journey. The siblings were joined on stage by several other residents who shared their stories of hope and inspiration. We welcomed the new NIH Director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, to The Inn and to An Evening for Hope shortly after his confirmation. We hosted two engaging author events featuring intimate fireside chats with the authors, both friends of The Inn: former NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci and former NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins. We have also continued to expand our exciting partnerships with the Washington Nationals, Washington Commanders, and Baltimore Ravens, providing our families with VIP opportunities to get up close and personal with world-class athletes. And as we celebrate the 35th anniversary of The Inn, we are honoring three-and-a-half decades of impact on medical science while looking forward to an even brighter future.
Stories of Hope
In this report, you will discover stories of courage and commitment that define The Inn’s mission. From special programs designed to build healthy dietary habits in young chefs to the unique support and insight of our corporate partners to the incredible dedication and advocacy of our generous donors, these stories show how The Inn remains a source of inspiration and hope not just for our families, but for our entire community.
Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Together, we are transforming lives for children and families facing their greatest challenges. We look forward to another year of providing care, comfort, and hope to all who call The Inn home.
With gratitude,
Jennie Lucca
CEO, The Children’s Inn at NIH
Brian Kelly
Chair, Board of Directors, The Children’s Inn at NIH
