Transforming Trustees into Fundraising Champions

Situation and Goals

Huntsville Hospital Foundation was facing the next phase of organizational growth. Its latest strategic plan explicitly prioritized engaging Trustees in a more meaningful way to advance fundraising performance. Their objective was, “to enhance the role of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, activating them as resources and advocates for the Foundation.”

Foundation leadership understood that Trustees would need practical guidance and structured support to meet their goal. The Foundation engaged PRIDE Philanthropy to assess current engagement practices, identify gaps in Trustee confidence and clarity, and define areas of opportunity where Trustees could add measurable value. The goal was to move beyond passive board service and create a model that positioned Trustees as active partners in donor strategy and cultivation.

Strategy

• PRIDE Philanthropy conducted a comprehensive opportunity assessment focused on Trustee engagement at Huntsville Hospital Foundation.

• The assessment reviewed existing infrastructure, evaluated areas of opportunity, and built on the Foundation’s recent successful growth in contributed revenue streams.

• This work included analyzing portfolio management, prospect identification systems, and confidential Trustee feedback to identify gaps and recommend growth opportunities.

• Confidential input was gathered through in-person and virtual interviews as well as focus groups.

• Focus surrounded organizational readiness and assessed what supports were required to make Trustees and staff successful.

• Alongside the client, PRIDE Philanthropy designed a pilot initiative that paired Trustees with frontline fundraising staff, clarified roles for the Foundation team, and outlined prospect engagement and ownership to drive greater success.

Results

• The assessment confirmed feasibility and interest in launching a Trustee-driven fundraising initiative to raise $1.5 million annually through this strategic partnership.

• PRIDE Philanthropy led multiple training sessions for Trustees based on feasibility study findings.

• In trainings, Trustees identified whether they naturally serve as connectors, cultivators, or closers.

• PRIDE Philanthropy outlined best practices related to ability, inclination, and access, and trained Trustees on how to set and schedule effective prospect meetings as well as join Foundation staff in critical solicitations.

• Trustees reported increased confidence in serving as advocates and philanthropic partners and gained clarity about how to engage in donor strategy alongside staff.

• Foundation staff applied best practices for gift counting and reporting associated with volunteer fundraising support by developing and implementing a formal tracking system.

• The initiative established a structured pathway for Trustee engagement in cultivation and solicitation efforts and positioned Huntsville Hospital Foundation for sustained Trustee driven fundraising growth.