$8 Million for Key Service Lines Expansion

Situation and Goals

PRIDE Philanthropy was engaged in 1995 to audit the Foundation, create a philanthropic strategic plan to directly align and support Northeast Georgia Medical Center's strategic growth initiatives to become a multi-hospital system, and provide the implementation resources for both immediate and long-term, sustainable growth. 

While the Foundation was in place and accepted gifts, philanthropy was not proactive. Specific regional health needs, particularly for the underserved, had been recently documented in a comprehensive community health assessment, and those needed to be addressed through philanthropy.

Strategy

• Feasibility study to determine financial opportunities and interest from interviewees in becoming involved. Study identifies multiple major gift prospects and potential campaign volunteers, along with specific compelling projects within both community benefit and hospital capital need spaces

• Initial campaign goal set at $8 Million to include key service lines expansion, a large auditorium, and community benefit programs

• Recruit, orient, and work alongside a new 50+ member Foundation council composed of community leaders, physicians, and employees to utilize connections to generate broader engagement and the campaign funding

Results

• The blend of addressing both internal and external needs met all the criteria and the $8 million goal was achieved early and a $10 million campaign goal was then set and achieved within the first five years. Subsequently, the Foundation conducted three additional campaigns, all effectively blending health system needs, including heart and cancer services, with regional health needs

• Raised $60+ Million during working relationship with PRIDE

• Foundation continues to excel by scaling up to support the growing health system needs