Development professionals are relationship experts; they are adept—whether by nature or as a result of practiced skill—at building close, trust-based relationships with donors. The same skills apply to building robust working relationships with CEOs.

Because she strongly focused on providing care for her young patients, philanthropy and grateful patients were not on the mind of this pediatric doctor. Often, when medical professionals do begin to engage with a grateful patient program, they might focus too narrowly on only the patient. This pediatrician learned about the power of philanthropy through the family of a grateful patient.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, research confirmed that trust, honesty, and respect are a trio of qualities that must be intentionally displayed during executive suite engagement in order for working relationships to thrive.

Development professionals in a medical setting know that positive medical outcomes are not the only motivator to philanthropy. Understanding donor motivation can help clinicians provide patients and family members the opportunity to share their story and become engaged in ways meaningful to them.

Advancement Resources and Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) have partnered to conduct an in-depth study into the relationships between development leaders and healthcare executives that lead to success in fundraising. In conjunction with the release of the full report on February 20, 2018, we are highlighting several of the key findings from the research.

Advancement Resources and the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) have partnered to conduct an in-depth study into the relationships between development leaders and healthcare executives that lead to success in fundraising. Building up to the release of the full report later this month, we will preview key findings from the research.

Several critical factors must be in place in order to develop and sustain successful philanthropic support at healthcare institutions. Challenges include building your potential donor pipeline ethically and effectively, partnering with physicians to increase referrals, and positioning and optimizing your fundraising events.

When we think about healthcare experiences involving children, we naturally focus on the perspectives of parents that drive meaningful philanthropy. But there’s another perspective that is important to consider: the perspective of the children themselves.

A referral-based medical philanthropy system represents the greatest opportunity for significant, meaningful philanthropy in the healthcare setting. Yet clinicians can sometimes be reluctant to engage in fundraising.

There’s a common myth among physicians that philanthropy is all about prying money from the reluctant. Is it any wonder that some physicians want to avoid it at all costs?

Meaningful, exceptional healthcare is what your organization provides every day to its patients. But for caregivers, these activities can feel routine. In fact, they can become so ordinary that caregivers find patient and family gratitude surprising, and perhaps even uncomfortable.

Research into patient experience reveals that many patients and families feel a deep need for closure and, at the same time, a yearning to continue the connections they made during care. Continuing their care experiences by giving back through philanthropy is described by many as a healing experience.

As a fundraiser in a healthcare setting, you work with donors who have experienced meaningful, life-changing care at your organization. Indeed, some of the most life-changing experiences occur in a medical setting. During these vulnerable moments, patients and families remember the people who made an extra effort to truly connect with them.

For many patients and families, the opportunity to express gratitude for physicians’ excellent care, and then having that gratitude accepted and reciprocated, can be a deeply meaningful and healing experience. 

Everyone who comes into contact with a patient or family member has the opportunity to advance patient care, and every person who comes into contact with a patient or family member has the opportunity to connect grateful patients and families with programs where they can express their gratitude meaningfully.

Like many development professionals at hospitals throughout North America, Pat has been charged with helping his organization transition from events-based fundraising to focus on a major-gifts “grateful patient” program.