Bringing Focus to a Campaign

By Mac Plummer, Vice President, St. Francis Hospital Foundation

In a small office like ours at St. Francis Hospital Foundation in Columbus, Georgia, there are always competing priorities because development staff members are also involved in special events and other activities of the organization. It is easy to lose focus on the big picture of a capital campaign. However, Jerry Smith and his team have brought us that needed focus. With their help, we have exceeded our working goal of $15 million in pledges in less than half the time allocated to the total campaign.

During the campaign, it also became evident that success comes from teamwork within the walls of our organization. As a hospital system, we sought the assistance of our caregivers including physicians and clinical staff. They helped us develop a list of prospects who had both the means to support the campaign and also a positive experience at St. Francis from the care provided. In addition, we recruited a group of physician champions who have both supported our campaign through personal giving and by making calls with our staff and volunteers to prospective donors. We have found that they have the most credibility with prospects. Further, we have been the beneficiary of a great physician campaign that has made a huge impact on community leaders. Their physician friends' support of our plans makes a great impact on their willingness to support the hospital.

Our success has been so great that we have decided to double our campaign goal to $30 million. It has been a real pleasure working with Jerry Smith and his staff on our The Power of Partnership capital campaign.

 

St. Francis Hospital broke ground on October 24th for a new facility that will afford the hospital 330,000 additional square feet of space.