In 2008, Peyton Manning began a gala for an Indianapolis children’s hospital; 18 years later, its final edition raised over $4.2 million, taking the event’s total to nearly $24 million

Peyton Manning’s long-running charitable effort for children’s healthcare in Indiana has reached a milestone, with the final Celebration of Caring Gala raising more than $4.2 million for Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital. The 18th edition of the fundraiser took place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on February 13, 2026, marking the end of an event that has supported paediatric care in the state for nearly two decades. According to the Ascension St. Vincent Foundation’s announcement and Thespun, the latest fundraising total brings the gala’s cumulative contributions since 2008 to nearly $24 million. The annual event, organised by the foundation and led by the former Indianapolis Colts quarterback, has helped fund hospital programmes, medical technology and expansions designed to improve care for children. Although the gala is being retired, Manning has indicated that his involvement with the hospital and its mission will continue.

A final edition with a lasting impact

The gala’s closing year was particularly significant because the funds will support a new outpatient paediatric dialysis unit at the hospital. The facility is intended to address a gap in specialised care for children with end-stage renal disease, who require ongoing treatment and medical supervision. A major contribution came from Aneel Bhusri, Manning’s friend, who pledged a $1.8 million matching donation during the event to mark its 18th year. The gift helped boost the evening’s fundraising total beyond $4.2 million.The hospital’s fundraising history reflects how the gala has evolved from a local charitable initiative into a major source of support for paediatric healthcare in Indianapolis. Reporting by local broadcaster WTHR, published through Yahoo Sports, also confirmed that Manning returned to the city for the final event and that his role as a supporter of the hospital would continue beyond the gala.

Where the money has made a difference

Over the years, donations raised through the event have contributed to several improvements in children’s healthcare. These include support for the hospital’s paediatric intensive care unit, technology for Indiana’s largest neonatal intensive care unit and broader investments in services for young patients and their families.The fundraising effort has also supported the hospital system’s wider development goals, including its Care for Tomorrow campaign. Such investments are intended to strengthen the resources available to medical teams caring for children, from newborns requiring intensive treatment to patients managing complex, long-term conditions.The hospital’s foundation has described Manning’s involvement as central to the gala’s success, crediting his sustained commitment with helping build support for the institution and its patients. The event’s official fundraising page confirms that the initiative generated nearly $24 million over 18 years.

The end of the gala, not the mission

For Manning, the final edition brings a long-running chapter of his charitable work in Indianapolis to a close. The decision to retire the event does not signal an end to his relationship with the hospital. Instead, it marks a transition after 18 years of bringing donors, community leaders and supporters together around children’s health.Manning, who spent the majority of his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts before retiring in 2016, remains closely associated with the city. His charitable work has extended his connection with Indianapolis beyond football, with the gala becoming one of the most visible expressions of that commitment. As reported by WTHR, Manning’s involvement as an ambassador for the hospital is expected to continue even after the fundraiser concludes.The final Celebration of Caring Gala leaves behind more than a successful fundraising record. Its contributions have helped expand medical resources and strengthen paediatric services over nearly two decades. With the final event raising millions more for the hospital, the focus now shifts to how that support will help deliver specialised care to children and their families in the years ahead.