Philanthropic projects are as much a part of HFMA chapter events as professional education. Through such projects, chapter members volunteer much-needed services and donate thousands of dollars to improve the health and well-being of their communities. And it doesn’t always take a major lift to pull off a philanthropy project that makes a difference. In fact, Jim Cussins, CFO of Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas, Wyo., and the Wyoming Chapter program chair, recently summed up the key to philanthropy success in a single word.
“KISS,” said Cussins. “Keep it super simple.”
Cussins was talking about the Chapter’s efforts to raise funds for the Food Bank of Wyoming — the state’s distribution center for Food Bank of the Rockies, which is the largest hunger relief organization in the Rocky Mountain region. Since March 2023, the Chapter has designated the food bank as its spring conference philanthropy project. Cussins recently shared three tips that have allowed the Chapter to donate more than $3,875 to date.
1 Pick a philanthropy that makes sense
According to Cussins, working with the food bank was an obvious partnership, particularly in light of recent data that revealed more than 14% of the people living in Wyoming are food insecure. That includes one out of every five children.
“Availability and affordability of quality food is a major determinant of health,” said Cussins. “It only makes sense that the finance side of healthcare would partner with others, like the Wyoming Food Bank, who can directly impact the social determinants.”
According to the food bank, it is able to provide three meals for every $1 donated, and every dollar raised in Wyoming stays in Wyoming. The Chapter’s donations have helped provide 11,625 meals to Wyoming citizens seeking food assistance.
2 Be flexible
“It began with donating food,” said Cussins. “But then we remembered that many members have to travel such long distances. And then, we’d have to find someone to take it to the local food bank. It just made more sense to donate money.”
Cussins said the Chapter originally asked members to bring food donations with them to the spring conference, which takes place every June in Casper, Wyo. The original plan changed, however, when they realized that might not be the most practical way to support the food pantry.
3 Make it easy
The Chapter raises funds via the Cvent software used by HFMA chapters to market their events and register attendees. That way, members can easily donate when they’re registering for the conference, and it’s top of mind. And because the Chapter offers a match, all donations are doubled.
