Watters & Associates
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Watters & Associates
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FOUNDATIONS - ARE THEY WORTH THE EFFORT?With the multitude of challenges confronting you as healthcare executives, why complicate your lives by adding a development program to the list? Can you really justify the additional time and energy required to create a foundation? Would your community be willing to contribute to an already profitable operation? Perhaps the answers can be found in the experience of a non-profit, community hospital in Lincolnton, NC. As recently as three years ago, Lincoln Medical Center was struggling with a declining public image, a divided medical staff, significant employee morale problems, aging physical facilities and a large amount of uncertainty as to the future of the institution. The new CEO, Pete Acker, began the turnaround process by establishing a clear corporate plan and steering the organization toward new goals. One of the tools at Pete's disposal was the newly formed support foundation that had been created to raise friends and funds for the Medical Center. The foundation board was composed of visible, enthusiastic individuals representing business, churches, schools, minorities, government, the news media and even a Medical Center employee. Taking advantage of the monthly foundation meetings, Pete kept the members fully informed of current activities such as physician recruitment, expansion planning, marketing efforts and collaborative programs with other health agencies. This allowed the board members to become advocates for the Medical Center and their support helped create a more positive image in the community. At the same time, the foundation was challenged to participate in these changes by selecting one of the new initiatives and raising funds for it. By implementing an annual giving program, the board was able to solicit the support of employees, medical staff members, volunteers, former patients, community residents and local businesses to help expand the nursery facilities. The initial campaign resulted in over $100,000 in contributions designated for the expanded nursery service. Just as importantly, it helped restore a sense of pride in the Medical Center among the family and the community it served. As the Medical Center prospered, so did the foundation. Building on an expanding donor base, the Foundation implemented a full range of fund raising activities including remembrance and annual giving, grant applications, giving clubs, special events and planned giving. Under the direction of the Medical Center, the Foundation is now helping transform community health goals such as the construction of a YMCA into reality. Is the Foundation responsible for the turnaround? No... but it has been highly effective in both raising community awareness of Medical Center activities and allowing the Medical Center to help finance new health initiatives. For Lincoln Medical Center, the time and energy used in developing the Foundation were well worth it! Watters and Associates is proud to have helped with the planning, organizing and operation of the Lincoln Medical Center Foundation. We specialize in healthcare development programs and would enjoy the privilege of helping you evaluate a program for your organization. |
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