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Building Extraordinary: The Campaign for The Children’s Inn at NIH

Every day at The Children’s Inn at NIH children and families arrive from around the world to participate in groundbreaking clinical research at the National Institutes of Health.

The discoveries they make possible here change the future of medicine everywhere: making HIV/AIDS a treatable disease; unlocking new therapies for severe sickle cell disease and advanced leukemia; and shedding new light on rare diseases.

Through every long day of treatment and research, The Children’s Inn gives families A Place Like Home at no cost. But at a time when our work has never mattered more, our facility needs to match the moment.

To unlock the medical discoveries of tomorrow, we must build The Inn of Tomorrow — a reimagined home that supports children, families, and NIH researchers at every step along the journey from hopes to cures.

That’s why we’re launching Building Extraordinary — a $55 million campaign to transform The Inn for the future.

Extraordinary children, families, and researchers are counting on us.

Will you help build The Inn of Tomorrow?

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A quaint, multi-story building with a distinctive architectural style, surrounded by trees and other structures, with people and vehicles visible in the foreground.

Through this campaign, we will renovate and expand both The Inn and our Young Adult Residence, transforming over 90,000 square feet.

Months of research and conversations with families, staff members, NIH leaders, and clinicians shaped our vision of what The Inn of Tomorrow could be:

A home for the future of our mission that offers greater comfort, community, and support for every family and child who travels here for hope and healing.

The Inn of Tomorrow

Every aspect of The Inn of Tomorrow is designed to nurture resilience, connection, and hope for every guest who walks through our doors.

Merck Foundation Tower of Hope
A modern, minimalist architectural design with glass walls and people walking through the interior spaces.

The stunning, two-story Merck Foundation Tower of Hope will stand out as a beacon to the entire NIH campus, paying tribute to the families whose courage and commitment are critical to NIH’s mission of turning hopes into cures. 

Prachee J. Devadas Thoughtful Treasures
A modern, minimalist lobby with a %22Welcome%22 sign, abstract wall panels, and a scenic landscape mural in the background, where two people are standing.

A favorite space for Inn children, Thoughtful Treasures is where each family has their mailbox. Each morning, guests (and their siblings) delight in receiving a special treasure that brings many moments of happiness, and children often take their treasures to the Clinical Center to play with during their medical visits. Thoughtful Treasures is also a special way for community groups to make a special difference in a child’s day. 

Gathering Tree
A whimsical wooden structure with various hanging elements stands in a lush, grassy setting, surrounded by small figurines of people and animals.

An inclusive and accessible space that celebrates neurodiversity and welcomes people of all needs and abilities, this room will feature special lighting, sounds, and objects designed to immerse individuals in a sensory experience.  

Guest Suite with Kitchenette
A modern and minimalist living space with a kitchen area, comfortable seating, and a view of the outdoors through a large window.

Located in The Merck Foundation Wing, these suites include a bedroom, living room, kitchenette, and laundry facilities to support families who require medical isolation as well as those staying for extended periods. 

Guest Suite
A modern and spacious bedroom with two beds, wooden furniture, and a decorative wall feature, with a family of three visible in the background.

Seventy-one fully redesigned guest rooms with flexible features that support families’ needs.

Kitchen Lounge
A modern and vibrant office space with people working and relaxing in various seating areas, including a couch, chairs, and round ottomans, against a backdrop of white walls and colorful accents.

The new kitchen will give families space to gather for shared meals, becoming a hub of community life at The Inn.

Flower Kitchen
A modern, open-concept kitchen with a mix of seating areas, workstations, and large windows providing natural light.

Located in the Flower Wing, the Inn’s new kitchen will give families a home for cherished mealtime traditions in a light-filled, open space with energy-efficient appliances, tables and booths for dining.

Danaher Bridge
A modern glass-walled building surrounded by a well-maintained garden with colorful flowers and a tall tree in the foreground.

The elevated Danaher Bridge is a gateway between comfort and care, linking family access between The Inn and the Clinical Center. Visible from Center Drive and the Main Entrance of the Clinical Center, the enclosed bridge reminds all on the NIH campus that we are with families and researchers every step along the medical journey from hopes to cures. 

Courtyard
A modern outdoor courtyard with seating areas, trees, and people enjoying the space surrounded by contemporary architectural buildings.

This courtyard will infuse the entire two-story guest wing and main lobby with natural light and views of nature, bringing the outdoors inside for families who cannot always venture out. It will also give families a quiet space to relax and play.

Activity Room
A modern, open-concept activity room with a mix of green and white furniture, including a wooden table and stools in the foreground, and a counter with various appliances in the background.

Yoga classes, ESL lessons, scavenger hunts, bingo nights, and so much more – this is where children will meet new friends and families will build the connections that sustain them.

Jean and Mark Raabe Arts and Crafts Studio
A colorful and vibrant classroom setting with a large white table, bright chairs, and various artworks and lighting fixtures adorning the walls.

Adjacent to the Teen Lounge, this state-of-the-art space offers a space for therapeutic arts and crafts activities, allowing guests to express themselves creatively and heal while having fun. Easy access to the covered patio and courtyard connects art to nature. 

Make an extraordinary impact.

There’s no other place that brings together care and compassion with discovery and innovation quite like The Children’s Inn at NIH. And right now, there is no more powerful way to be part of something that matters.

With one gift, you become the reason:

A child arrives exhausted from treatment and finds a warm meal waiting.

A family discovers they are not alone.   

A researcher completes their work — because the families who make it possible are cared for.

A cure reaches the world — because it started here.

Will you help us build an extraordinary future for all the children and families counting on us?

Building Extraordinary Updates

Extraordinary Donors, Extraordinary Impact