6 Tips to Partner with Clinicians to Identify Grateful Hospice Families
Jenny Love
Published: 02/18/2025
Denise Pope, vice president at GOBEL, recalls a conversation with a donor that perfectly captures the profound impact of hospice care. The woman spoke of how, in her father’s final days, she could simply be a daughter again—no longer consumed with caregiving tasks that might have overshadowed their precious moments together. It was this compassionate care, allowing her to focus on love and connection rather than the physical demands of caregiving, that inspired her gift.
For the philanthropy team, building meaningful relationships with the clinical staff is essential to identifying these powerful stories of gratitude. By working closely with the caregivers who see this impact firsthand, you can uncover opportunities to engage potential donors—people who, like this woman, feel compelled to give back in memory of the care their loved ones received.
Here are Denise’s insights into how hospice development professionals can effectively bring clinicians on board.
Why Clinician Engagement Matters
Hospice nurses and care staff are the primary points of contact for patients and their families, making them key to fostering a culture of gratitude and philanthropy. However, many clinicians see their care as "just part of the job" and may hesitate to participate in fundraising activities. As Denise explains, it’s crucial to help clinicians understand that what feels routine to them can be extraordinary to families—and that their role in connecting grateful families to the philanthropy team can be impactful without feeling transactional.
1. Start at Orientation and Keep Communication Flowing
Effective clinician engagement begins on day one. Denise advocates for introducing philanthropy during new staff orientation, making it clear what the philanthropy program does and how donations support the hospice's mission. Reinforcing this message is essential; Denise suggests weekly impact updates, where clinical staff receive a brief report on recent gifts, how the funds will be used, and reminders that patient giving is a response to the care they provide. This regular communication keeps philanthropy top of mind and helps caregivers see themselves as integral to the program’s success.
2. Equip Clinicians with Tools to Respond to Gratitude
One of the biggest challenges is helping clinicians feel comfortable responding to expressions of gratitude in a way that aligns with their caregiving role. Denise emphasizes the importance of giving clinicians easy-to-use tools like informational brochures or simple scripts that they can use when families express interest in giving back. "When patients thank a nurse, it’s an opportunity to open the door for a deeper connection with the philanthropy team," Denise notes. By empowering clinicians to make "warm referrals" rather than direct asks, fundraisers can support a meaningful donor connection without making caregivers feel like fundraisers.
3. Timing Matters: Reach Out Early and Often
The timing of outreach also plays a critical role in donor engagement. While some organizations may wait over a year to contact families, Denise advises that sooner is better—ideally within four to six weeks after a patient’s passing. "The emotional connection to the care team is still fresh, and families are often ready to give back as part of their grieving process," she explains. Ensuring that follow-up is prompt when families are referred can prevent missed opportunities and helps families feel that their gratitude is valued.
4. Attend Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) Meetings and Round When Possible
To build rapport with the clinical team and stay attuned to patient and family experiences, development staff should attend IDT meetings or round with clinicians when possible. This visibility helps fundraisers learn about the needs and concerns of caregivers, hear expressions of gratitude firsthand, and build trust with the care team. Additionally, inviting clinical leaders to participate in donor stewardship activities can create a more collaborative atmosphere and give the team a sense of shared purpose.
5. Fundraise for What Matters to Clinicians
To truly engage the clinical team, development professionals should focus on initiatives that resonate with caregivers. Denise describes a successful “Wishes Fund” program that allowed social workers to fulfill meaningful end-of-life wishes for patients, like a final trip to Disney. This program not only brought joy to patients in their final days but also added a deeper sense of purpose to the work of social workers, who found meaning in helping enact a patient’s final wish and witnessing the happiness it brought. The effect on the culture of philanthropy at the organization was profound, Denise notes. By fundraising for programs that reflect caregivers’ values and the unique needs of hospice patients, you can create a philanthropic culture that clinicians are proud to support.
6. Build a Partnership, Not a Transaction
Ultimately, clinician engagement in hospice philanthropy should be viewed as a partnership, not a transaction. This collaboration requires continuous effort to ensure clinicians understand their role, feel supported, and recognize the impact of their involvement.
"Our goal is to build a symbiotic relationship where clinicians and fundraisers work together," Denise emphasizes.
By fostering this partnership, you can create a supportive environment where philanthropy thrives—and where families have the opportunity they crave to give back to support their grief recovery, pay it forward, and ensure a legacy for their loved ones.