The Foundation of FirstHealth recognizes donors who will forever be remembered through their generous gifts made possible through their planned gifts or bequests, leaving a legacy in support of quality health care for future generations. Their vision will help to ensure continued excellence in health care.
This hospital is built by all the people to serve all the people, and it is
here and now rededicated to the region and its citizens forever and ever.
We
bid it Godspeed on its errand of mercy into the future.
Inscribed on the Heritage Wall during the hospital rededication at the end of the 20th century.
The overall approach for securing philanthropic support includes a broad range of fundraising strategies including, at its core, a sustaining gift program. By definition, a sustaining gift program is the principal way to build donor loyalty and affinity for the Foundation's mission, as well as to provide a recurring source of "current use" funds.
In 1979, Foundation supporter Hal Stevens recruited support for a sustaining gift program that has been termed the cornerstone of the Foundation's success. Membership to the Scroll Society represents a commitment of $1,000 per year for a period of 10 years or more. The Legacy Circle is reserved for gifts of $2,500 or more per year. Planned gifts of the requisite amounts also qualify for recognition. For over 40 years, members of these giving societies have been the leading factor in the success of numerous capital campaigns that have greatly enhanced FirstHealth's facilities and services.
Likewise, the Return the Kindness sustaining gift program in support of Clara's House provides, on an annual basis, the current cash to support the operating expenses of the hospitality house. The Foundation has successfully raised over $300,000 each year to cover those operating expenses.
Endowment Building
A Greek proverb says . . . a civilization flourishes when people plant trees under which they will never sit.
Endowments are the key to the future success of our health care system. Now, more than ever, our commitment to health care will continue to evolve as we try to stay ahead of the curve. External forces have already stretched resources of all hospitals in North Carolina and across our country, causing many small rural hospitals to close. Without strategically employed philanthropy and endowment building, the current environment puts high touch, advocacy programs and future advancements at risk.
Strategically, the Foundation is focused on five primary endowment priorities: hospitality and advocacy through the Clara McLean House, Nursing and Physician Enrichment, FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care, Heart Services and Cancer Services.
