Vice-President's Blog

The Future of Philanthropy in HealthCare

It is evident that philanthropy will have to take a much bigger role in the future of HealthCare. With reimbursements shrinking by the hour, hospitals are scrambling for resources. This combined with tighter budgets has the spotlight shining bright on philanthropy.

Residents who want their community hospitals to have the latest equipment and latest services will have to step up as philanthropic partners to achieve many of these goals.

Non-profit, mission based hospitals that are called to take care of the poor and vulnerable will be most at risk. As we head farther down the road, we will see this reality more and more.

I see this is a challenge, but also as an opportunity for more people to get involved. I believe our St. Mary community is recognizing this, evidenced by our increasing donor base.

As a staff we are doing our best to carry this message, and it's paramount people hear sooner and later, so we can prepare for the future.

Who can be a Donor

Since most people in the high desert are touched by the services of St. Joseph Health, St. Mary, I feel that everyone needs to be a donor. I say "needs to be" intentionally, since our community is a much better place because of St. Mary, the only non-profit hospital in the area.

Our services extend far beyond the hospital walls and everyone is touched in some way, whether that is a family member, a neighbor, a work colleague, or someone you may not even know who is a member of the community. St. Mary does not turn anybody away.

I always try to imagine what this community would be like without St. Mary, and for me that is a very unpleasant thought. Essential is the word that comes to mind.

So who can be a donor? You can be a donor!

Stewarding our Donor's Dollars

In an effort to better steward our donor dollars, we made a decision two years ago to change the direction of our annual GALA. Since then, the last two events have netted over $345,000 and we have cut expenses by over $235.000. Our cost to raise a dollar has gone from $3.40 to $.22. This is well below the national average. We did this by focusing on what's important and that is raising funds at a low cost so donor's dollars go directly to the need.

I firmly believe that most donors want to see the impact of their dollars and the last two years we have been able to show donors just that. Good stewardship also sends a message to the community that we honor their gifts and builds trust that we will spend this money correctly. The past two GALAs have helped purchase three new operating tables and a new MRI machine.

A Renewed Commitment to Justice

It's hard to believe we are into 2015! Here at the Foundation, we are in the midst of direct mailings, planning Men Who Cook, attending Board meetings, writing grants, entering data, and meeting with donors. Our role in philanthropy will continue to grow as the needs of St. Mary and the high desert community grows.

In the midst of healthcare chaos, St. Mary continues to extend the healing ministry of Jesus into the community and even though budgets are shrinking, St. Mary plans to continue and expand its community benefit programs. The commitment to the poor and vulnerable has never been greater and that commitment will continue in our renewed spirit of justice.

To be part of this ministry is a blessing. When you truly understand what St. Mary means to this community, it inspires a renewed sense of purpose each day.

I encourage everyone who reads this to examine their commitment to justice in our community and realize we all can make a difference in our day to day actions. Justice extends to our dear neighbor and to our co-workers. When justice prevails, harmony tends to follow.

Lessons From Dad

One of the greatest lessons I learned came from my father when I was about 10 years old. At that time in my life, baseball was everything to me. I idolized Roberto Clemente, and like every other child at that age I dreamed of being in the big leagues.

Our school was fortunate to go on a field trip to Dodgers Stadium around that same time. Standing out in front signing autographs was Jackie Robinson. I happen to have my mitt and so I had Jackie sign it. I then begged my dad for another mitt so I could preserve the one with Jackie's signature on it.

Well baseball season came around and I was sporting my new mitt. I was in baseball heaven and then came a knock at the door; it was the kid next door. His dad, an alcoholic I later found out, never played with him like my dad did. He asked if he could borrow a mitt if we had an extra so he could try out for his school's baseball team. His family didn't have a lot of money, neither did we, and the only other mitt I had was the one with Jackie Robinson's signature on it.

My dad convinced me it was the right thing to do. He knew the circumstances of my neighbor's life and so the mitt was relinquished. In a few months we moved and I never saw that mitt again.

This type of story repeated itself time and time again as I parted with things I thought to be so important, giving them—at my father's direction, to others who needed them more.

Those lessons by my father were teaching me that people are more important than things and if you can help along the way, no matter how rich or poor you are, then you will be blessed—and I have been my entire life. My dad suffered with MS for 55 years, moved to California in 1966 with 50 bucks and made a life for me and my mom. He also taught me numerous lessons on giving, and lessons that have made a profound impact on my life in philanthropy.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Paul Kaminski Vice-President Fund Development