Mission MetroHealth is an Academic Health Care System committed to Our Communities by Saving Lives, Restoring Health, Promoting Wellness, and providing Outstanding, Life-long Care Accessible to All. Navigating this Newsletter To ensure easy navigation, this electronic newsletter functions like a web site simply click on any highlighted link to access the article you want. FundingYourinitiatives Philanthropic success at MetroHealth is the result of the hard work of many people. In this issue, we share with you stories of how these achievements are made possible, as well as informative articles on important issues in fundraising. Inside this Issue (click article title for link)
Step Up and Stand Out Scrub hats off to the Anesthesiology Department. During the 2007 annual physician giving initiative, 45 percent of that department s physicians made gifts to support MetroHealth, with total giving of more than $16,000. Many of those gifts came from first-time donors. So, what is Anesthesiology s secret to fundraising success? At the start of last year s physician giving initiative, Development staff spoke to various departments and explained the ways in which physician contributions could support the work of their respective departments. During the Anesthesiology presentation, Dr. Tejbir Sidhu, Chair of the department, explained to his staff why he gives. He then encouraged his staff and residents to join him in doing so. I strongly believe in paying back to MetroHealth, he said. It s a very worthy cause; you re literally ensuring the future of your department. When I m gone, the next leader will have these resources to work with and can continue the traditions we built up. Continue >
Step Up and Stand Out (continued) A few years ago, Dr. Sidhu established a research and education fund for anesthesiology. He realized that funded research is difficult to come by in medicine, especially within organizations of MetroHealth s size. He considers the fund a tool that can be used to enhance the department s commitment to teaching and research. Right now, Dr. Sidhu is focused on growing the fund. He credits the success of the 2007 initiative to the passion of both leaders and followers, and he hopes his team s 2008 total will be even greater. A leader is only as good as the team he s leading. If you can excite your team about where you want the department to go and invite them to share in that vision, the team will want to contribute to its success. < Back
Child Life Specialists Jill Mason and Mandy Post sell holiday cards at the Holiday Bazaar event, hosted by La Barberia Salon & Spa in Little Italy. The cards were created by pediatric patients at MetroHealth. One of the most common responses when brainstorming fundraising strategy is let s hold a special event. Yet, the reality is the costs associated with the staff time required to plan and execute an event often outweigh the proceeds. A new trend is emerging that is giving MetroHealth the best of both worlds special event revenue without an intensive time commitment. Events organized by community members with a special interest in MetroHealth, commonly known as third-party events, surged in popularity this year. An estimated $75,000 is expected to be raised in 2008; that figure is predicted to catapult to $150,000 in 2009. Third-party events are a nice way to build philanthropic support for MetroHealth, says Kate Brown, Vice President of Development. Plus, they also allow Development staff to concentrate their time where it is needed most, cultivating longterm relationships with donors. The event organizers work with Development staff to set guidelines and goals, but the details are ultimately in the hands of the outside coordinator. The proceeds from the event are then turned over to MetroHealth to support a particular area of interest. Continue >
Melissa Davis, CCLS, Erin Whipple, CCLS, and Katie Fallot enjoy dinner at Johnny Mango World Café and Bar; 20 percent of one day s sales benefited the Child Life and Education Program at MetroHealth. (continued) Some of this year s third-party events included A golf outing held by the Ravenswood Golf Course to welcome Metro Life Flight to its new base at the Portage County Airport; The 43rd annual Bridge-O-Rama bridge tournament held by the Delta Delta Delta Cleveland West Side Alumnae Chapter (Tri-Delts); Special dining out nights hosted by Johnny Mango s and the Westlake Max and Erma s restaurants. The biggest interest in hosting these types of events is coming from grateful patients and their families, says Ms. Brown. So, not only do we reap the benefits of fundraising support, but it also helps raise more awareness among people who might not know a lot about MetroHealth. If you or someone you know is interested in hosting a third-party event, contact Emily Speer at (216) 778-7525. < Back
Fundraising Progress Report As of October 31, $4,880,573 has been raised in philanthropic support in 2008. $651,008 from individuals $4,055,530 from corporations and foundations $174,035 in government support A former MetroHealth employee has notified MetroHealth of her intention to make a trust gift from her estate. The estimated gift value is $120,000. $100,000 bequest commitment from Jack Kennedy to establish the Jack A. Kennedy Endowed Fund to benefit the Department of Infectious Disease. $50,000 from the Vincent K. and Edith H. Smith Memorial Trust in support of The Senior Health & Wellness Center. Continue >
Fundraising Progress Report (continued) $45,000 unrestricted bequest commitment from Myrtle Burton. Ms. Burton is an employee in MetroHealth s Information Services Department. $40,000 from Medtronic, Inc., to support the Electrophysiology Fellowship Program within Heart and Vascular for the 2008-2009 academic year. $20,000 letter of intent for a bequest gift in memory of L. Charles McClure, a cancer patient treated at MetroHealth in 1986. The gift will support research. < Back
It s official we re in a recession. And, while it is true that many Americans are very concerned about the economy and its effect on their financial situation, a few recent articles have provided refreshing insight on fundraising during recessions and economic downturns. According to the Giving USA Foundation 1, when the economy shows stress, whether it is in a recession or not, giving may grow more slowly but giving still grows. Another research article from The Center on Philanthropy 2 found that health fundraisers reported more success with using planned giving and special events (see Event Fundraising. ) as fundraising techniques than their peers working in other types of organizations. Some important tips on riding out the economic downturn include - Sharpen the case for philanthropic support and focus on organizational priorities that are central to advancing the mission and viewed by donors as essential priorities. 3 Continue >
(continued) Continue to talk to people about programs and goals and think and act for the long term. 1 Provide excellent stewardship and accountability so that donors know their funds have been put to good use. 1 Be patient. Most philanthropic initiatives have a longer life span than the ups and downs of most economic cycles. 3 The points outlined above are all part of MetroHealth s overall fundraising strategy. Development staff members continually monitor the latest in economic and fundraising developments in order to keep philanthropic support strong during these changing times. 1 Giving during recessions and economic slowdowns. Published by Giving USA Foundation TM and written and researched at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. 2 Philanthropic Giving Index: Summer 2008, Health Subsector. Sponsored by The Association for Healthcare Philanthropy and published by The Center of Philanthropy at Indiana University. 3 Tips for Weathering the Economic Storm. Marts & Lundy. < Back Continue >
Please help us provide the information that s most important to you. Funding Your Initiatives, or, is a publication designed to keep you updated on the latest in philanthropic efforts and success at MetroHealth, as well as provide tips and trends in fundraising. Please take a few moments to tell us what content is most helpful to you. This link will take you to a confidential reader s survey. The survey will close on Monday, December 22. Thank you in advance for your valuable input.