The Cooke Foundation helps families and individuals navigate financial hardship through medication assistance, food, housing, and basic living support.
501(c)(3) Public Charity · EIN 92-1164728 · Founded 2024
Our Purpose
The Cooke Foundation is committed to empowering individuals and families by providing essential support in times of need. We exist to alleviate the burdens of financial hardship by offering assistance with medications, food, housing, and basic living expenses, creating a pathway toward stability and hope for a brighter future. Guided by compassion and a dedication to service, we aim to empower communities and inspire hope through meaningful support and advocacy.
Our Programs
We provide financial support for individuals and families struggling to afford necessary medications, ensuring they receive life-saving treatments without the burden of cost. Our program serves people facing chronic illness, families managing complex care needs, and individuals navigating gaps in insurance coverage.
Reach & Impact
United States, with a focus on North Carolina and the surrounding region.
Economically disadvantaged families, individuals with disabilities, people managing chronic illness, and ethnically and racially diverse communities.
Governance
Founder
Ruba founded The Cooke Foundation in 2024, drawing on her own experience managing Type 1 diabetes and the financial weight of life-sustaining medication. Like millions of Americans, she has seen what happens when families must choose between essential medicine and other basic needs, and the difference that even modest assistance can make. She leads the foundation's strategy, programs, and grant-seeking, working so no family faces those choices alone.
Vice President
Michael serves as Vice President, overseeing communications, infrastructure, and donor relationships. He spent over three decades in pastoral and nonprofit leadership, building community programs, leading teams, and supporting families through some of life's hardest moments. He brings that long arc of service work to the foundation alongside Ruba, his wife and co-founder.
Governed by a three-member Board of Directors and supported by senior staff.
Accountability
Verified by Candid (formerly GuideStar) for organizational transparency.
The Cooke Foundation is a recognized 501(c)(3) public charity. EIN 92-1164728.
Download IRS Determination LetterAs a small foundation, we file Form 990-N annually with the IRS. Filings are publicly available through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.
Get Involved
Interested in funding our medication assistance work? Contact us for our case for support and program materials.
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