The Carolina Hurricanes Foundation announced on May 5 that it will donate $50,000 to The HEARTest Yard as part of its special playoff grant initiative. The foundation said it will provide a donation to a nonprofit organization during each round of the 2026 National Hockey League playoffs that the Hurricanes reach.
This announcement highlights the team’s ongoing efforts to support community health and education through targeted philanthropy. The grant aims to help more children born with heart defects in both the Charlotte region and the Triangle area.
“The Carolina Hurricanes Foundation is proud to join forces with Former NFL Star Greg Olsen and his wife, Kara, and the HEARTest Yard team to benefit more kids born with heart defects,” said Amy Daniels, Executive Director of the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation. “This grant will allow The HEARTest Yard to continue to serve the Charlotte region while also expanding to help families in the Triangle.”
This marks the second collaboration between the Carolina Hurricanes and The HEARTest Yard. In 2024, a previous grant helped place a book vending machine at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte for young heart patients reaching milestones such as transplants or completing treatments. Children receive coins for these achievements that can be used at this vending machine for educational books during their hospital stay.
“We’re so grateful to the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation for supporting the heart families we serve across the Carolinas! This generous gift will help us reach even more heart patients and their families — providing care, connection, and support when they need it most,” said Molly Ansbro, Executive Director of The HEARTest Yard.
Established in 2013 by former NFL player Greg Olsen and his wife Kara, The HEARTest Yard is described as “the first and only family support and service program for pediatric cardiovascular patients and their families in the Carolinas.” It provides nursing care at home as well as medical services at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in Charleston and Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte.
As reported by the official website, events hosted by organizations like the Carolina Hurricanes contribute over $200 million annually to Raleigh’s local economy. Their home venue is Lenovo Center which can accommodate up to 20,000 people across multiple seating levels with various amenities including suites and concession stands.
Since its inception in 1997, more than $17 million has been donated by the foundation through grants or other forms of support for youth-serving organizations.
