Former Owner of DC Sports Team Makes $10-Million Pledge for Cardiovascular Institute

How much: $10-million pledge

Who got it: Hadassah Medical Organization, a hospital in Jerusalem financed by Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America

Who gave it: Irene Pollin, who co-owned Washington Sports and Entertainment with her late husband, Abe. Mr. Pollin owned the Washington Wizards professional basketball team. Ms. Pollin is a psychotherapist who specializes in helping people with chronic illnesses.

Where the money will go: To establish the Linda Joy Pollin Cardiovascular Wellness Institute, in Jerusalem, to increase women’s awareness of heart disease. The new institute is named after Abe and Irene Pollin’s daughter, who was born with a congenital heart condition and died at 16.

Donor’s connection to cause: Ms. Pollin founded Sister to Sister: the Women’s Heart Health Foundation in 1999. The organization, based in Chevy Chase, Md., educates women about the risk of heart disease. Several years ago, Ms. Pollin donated $12-million to Brigham and Women’s Hospital for a heart disease prevention program for women.

Why the donor gave: When Ms. Pollin learned that Hadassah didn’t just serve Israeli Jews—in fact, half of its patients are Arab Muslims—she decided to give. “This opens up the world to helping women deal with heart disease risk,” Ms. Pollin says. “I don’t want a plaque or a picture on the wall.”

Future giving plans: Ms. Pollin says she will soon make two more big gifts designed to help nonprofits do more to promote heart health among women.