Paving the Way: Highlights from the AHP Leading Forward Executive Summit 2024
Olivia Hairfield
Published: 12/02/2024
At the AHP International Conference in San Diego, healthcare philanthropy leaders came together for AHP’s signature executive summit, Leading Forward. Throughout the day, the group discussed philanthropy’s role as a strategic asset, the importance of executive alignment, collaborative strategies to maximize philanthropic impact, and more. Here are several of the key takeaways you need to know.
1. Philanthropy as a Strategic Imperative
As healthcare fundraisers, we know philanthropy’s role goes beyond funding projects—philanthropy is emerging as a key driver of strategic growth and innovation. However, inconsistent familiarity with philanthropy’s potential across C-suites remains a challenge. While some executives grasp the long-term value of philanthropy, others need guidance to see how it aligns with organizational goals.
Presenter Lisa Bielamowicz, MD, emphasized an incremental education approach to engage executives unfamiliar with philanthropy’s potential. Establishing relationships with chief financial officers and chief operating officers as early champions can be a powerful first step. By showing them tangible wins, sharing donor impact stories, and framing philanthropy as an integral part of achieving strategic objectives, leaders become invested advocates. Building synergy with the board and positioning the foundation as a philanthropic service line rather than just a funding entity further enhances buy-in and strategic alignment.
2. Enhancing CFO and Philanthropy Alignment
A successful philanthropy program depends on close collaboration between the chief financial officer (CFO) and the chief philanthropy officer. The alignment of these roles can ensure that philanthropic funds are deployed strategically to advance the organization’s goals. Presenter Crystal H. Miller, MA, FAHP, CFRE, underscored that building trust with finance leaders is essential and can be achieved through proactive communication, transparency, and a shared vision.
Establishing proximity, whether through regular face-to-face meetings or open-door policies, facilitates candid conversations and strengthens the partnership. CFOs appreciate philanthropy teams who provide consistent updates, avoid surprises, and demonstrate a clear understanding of finance-friendly metrics. Quarterly meetings with the chief financial officer, chief medical officer, and chief operating officer allow for shared strategic planning and help ensure everyone is aligned on high-priority initiatives.
Philanthropy leaders can further strengthen this partnership by framing unrestricted donations in terms familiar to finance teams, showcasing their potential to fuel innovation and address emerging needs. Using real-life examples of how unrestricted funds have supported impactful projects can highlight philanthropy’s critical role in organizational resilience and growth. Long-range financial planning, which includes realistic projections for fundraising growth, builds confidence and equips CFOs with reliable data for future planning.
3. Partnering with Clinical Leaders for Strategic Impact
The summit highlighted the importance of close collaboration between philanthropy and clinical leadership, particularly the chief medical officer (CMO), to ensure that philanthropic funds align with clinical priorities. Building these relationships allows philanthropy to support initiatives that directly impact patient care, enhancing the perceived value of philanthropy across the organization.
Monthly meetings between philanthropy and clinical leaders enable tailored support for clinical needs, allowing philanthropy to become a proactive partner in achieving the organization’s healthcare goals. Educating clinical leaders about the importance of spending allocated philanthropic funds to meet disbursement goals can reduce unused donations and maximize the impact of donor contributions. This collaboration ensures that philanthropic funds are allocated effectively and that all stakeholders are engaged in stewarding donor contributions responsibly.
Crystal also emphasized that bringing clinical leaders to philanthropic events or sharing patient success stories with them strengthens their commitment to philanthropy. This exposure builds their understanding of how donor support translates into improved patient outcomes and operational support. It also fosters a culture of gratitude and ownership among clinical leaders, who can then become advocates for philanthropy in their day-to-day interactions.
Bonus Tip: Patient Stories are Not Just for Donors
Use storytelling to illustrate the transformative impact of donations to your C-Suite as well as external donors. Shifting conversations from dollar figures to donor impact stories strengthens the understanding that philanthropy is not just about meeting immediate needs but about creating a legacy of improved patient care and access.
Looking Ahead
The 2024 Leading Forward Executive Summit highlighted the transformative role of philanthropy in healthcare and the power of executive alignment. By building strong partnerships across the C-suite, particularly with finance and clinical leaders, philanthropy can support the organization’s long-term vision and fuel innovative, patient-centered initiatives. The summit’s insights offer a roadmap for healthcare leaders seeking to leverage philanthropy as a cornerstone of strategic growth, ultimately advancing patient care and organizational resilience.