How to Engage the Community in Hospice Fundraising Efforts
Hospice care is an essential yet often overlooked and under-discussed part of healthcare. We do get it. I mean, who wants to talk about death and mortality if they can avoid it? There is a correct way to do this though. So engaging your community in fundraising for this sensitive sector of healthcare demands a careful but deliberate approach. Here are some strategies drawn from years of development experience to effectively rally community support for hospice care.
1. Emphasize the Universality of Hospice Care
This might not be something that’s exactly fun to think about, but hospice care is one of the few types of nonprofits may become a necessity for anyone at any time. It's crucial to communicate that this service provides dignity and comfort during life's most challenging times, not just an uncomfortable reminder of mortality. Focus on sharing the peace of mind and quality of care hospice brings to patients and their families in your community, using stories or testimonials that underscore the compassionate support provided.
2. Connect Through Personal Stories
Personal stories are powerful connectors in all types of fundraising, but hospice can also be tricky in this regard. In hospice fundraising, sharing narratives from individuals or families who have been helped during a very difficult time can profoundly impact potential donors. Make sure to handle the topics with care though, as this can be an incredibly emotionally charged topic. Whether through newsletters, written appeals, or face-to-face, these stories illustrate the direct effects of contributions and make the cause relatable and tangible.
3. Educate About the Impact of Hospice Care
Having your community understand what hospice care is can be useful, but having your community understand what hospice is not can be even more useful. If you have never had a hospice experience before for a friend or family member (or worse yet, a bad experience), it can be easy to make a lot of negative assumptions about hospice care. We’ve heard it all, from “Isn’t that just where they send people to die?” all the way to “Doesn’t hospice just mean you’ve given up?”.
If you work in hospice fundraising though, you know both of these questions are absurd. However, for your community, broadening understanding of what hospice services actually are can enhance community support. Many are unaware of the comprehensive care hospice offers, including emotional, spiritual, and physical support. Educational initiatives, like workshops or open house events, can demystify these services and foster a deeper appreciation and willingness to support.
4. Don’t Neglect the Families of Those Served
Hospice is not only about providing the best possible end-of-life experience for the patient, but also their family as well. We don’t want to underestimate the weight of the family experience for those that we serve. Many hospice programs have excellent bereavement services that are available for the families as well as many other areas of support. Getting the families of those served involved, if done ethically, can be a great place to start in securing the involvement of the broader community.
Hospice fundraising can often feel like an uphill battle. This is why it’s important to simply get more people involved. There is strength in numbers, and by being tactful with our strategies strategies, fundraisers can effectively engage their communities in hospice care support, ensuring that organizations have the necessary resources to continue offering vital, compassionate care.
Need help with your hospice fundraising program? You’re not alone! Send us a message and we would be happy to schedule a chat about how we can bring more money to your nonprofit.
