Caring Relationships - Gundersen Health System

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Philanthropy An update from the Development Department of Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation What Do Crises Mean for Giving? Philip Schumacher, CFRE Executive Director Without question, the alarming economic events of “Black October” increased the anxiety of all Americans about the security of their financial assets. Conventional wisdom suggests that when the stock market declines, philanthropy follows suit. Historical data, however, proves otherwise. In a study recently published by the national Association of Fundraising Professionals, giving trends were tracked over a 27-year period, from 1980-2007. The data revealed a consistent increase in philanthropy from one year to the next, except for one year of modest drop off in 1987. Even in the aftermath of major crises, including war, terrorism, and economic downturns, the American commitment to philanthropy remains strong and resilient. This year, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation launched an innovative pilot program to encourage philanthropy within our region. We have engaged the firm of Thompson & Associates (ceplan.com) to consult directly with qualified couples and individuals about their philanthropic priorities. The process is completely donor-focused, completely confidential, completely customized, and completely non-binding. After exploring each participant’s specific interests and desires, Thompson & Associates crafts a plan which reflects those priorities and becomes a framework from which the participant’s personal advisors can develop the formal documents. Participants are under no obligation to follow through on the plan, nor to include any provisions for our Foundation. We have no influence on the process, and receive no summary reporting from Thompson & Associates after the consultation has concluded. What we do hope, in the long run, is that this type of planning assistance from a highlyregarded third party will encourage more philanthropy in our community overall. We hope that potential donors will see this unique experience as an opportunity to express their dreams for the causes close to their heart, and discover new ways in which it may be possible to achieve them through charitable estate planning. Above all, we hope to reinforce what history shows us to be true: Good planning trumps a poor economy. Relationships Are the Best Reward Robyn Tanke, CFRE Senior Director of Development I often feel the best part of my work with Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation is serving as a facilitator, helping donors give voice to their private charitable intentions. Many times these donors are lifelong 12 www.gundluth.org/foundation
members of the community, familiar with Gundersen Lutheran through generations of experience. Others are like my new friend Charles Harrison, who was unfamiliar with the work of the Foundation until earlier this year. And in these few short months, what a friend he has become! I received a call from Mr. Harrison out of the blue last February. He was scheduled for hip replacement surgery at Gundersen Lutheran and was putting his estate in order. Having decided to leave the remainder of his assets to support cancer research through the Foundation, he wanted assistance with the appropriate wording for his will. And that is how I came to know more about Charles Harrison: How he had lost his beloved wife to lung cancer three years ago. How they had lived in various parts of the country and decided to retire here years ago for the hunting, fishing, and excellent healthcare. How he had received all his medical care at Gundersen Lutheran and had such high regard for all his physicians and caregivers. Since Charles’s successful surgery, his relationship with the Foundation has simply blossomed. He has met other members of the Legacy Society who share his philanthropic interests. He’s learned more about our work in the areas of medical education and research. He is deriving so much joy from his involvement that he’s taken his giving a step further. This fall, he completed a charitable gift annuity that allows him to see results from his generosity now, while he is still here to enjoy it in full measure. As we sat over coffee at his kitchen table, finalizing the paperwork for his gift, Charles Harrison observed that like many people his age, he is constantly receiving annuity solicitations. “But I bet none of those people would sit down and have a cup of coffee with me,” he said. And to me, that simple observation illustrates everything our Foundation is about. Caring relationships, with caring people. United by a Common Thread David Amborn, CFRE Senior Director of Development A charismatic visionary. A dedicated philanthropist. A passionate communitarian. A skillful diagnostic expert. The common thread that unites them? Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation, and our commitment to enhance and support the health of our communities. The four individuals I’m referring to share a relationship to a common cause: childhood literacy. The late Dr. Adolf Gundersen was a visionary in this area, an early and visible advocate for the role of medical providers in promoting reading skills. The late Esther Dykstra was a generous benefactor of many children’s issues, and established a permanent endowment fund to provide ongoing support for programs which address pediatric disabilities, including reading disabilities. David Friedman and his wife, Therese, are well-known within the La Crosse and surrounding community for their involvement in the non-profit Read Clinic, which offers tutorial services to area students. Debbie Olufs, PhD, is the director of Gundersen Lutheran’s Comprehensive Child Care Center (CCCC), and a pediatric education specialist who helps children and families struggling with learning challenges. Foundation grants provide the thread linking all their work, their legacies, and their intentions. Gundersen Lutheran’s Reach Out and Read program, which purchases books for pediatricians to give to parents during their child’s regular wellness visits, received grant funding again this year for the La Crosse and Onalaska campus programs. An additional grant provides for program expansion to the new health and wellness center at Ashley Furniture in Arcadia. In 2008, the Foundation granted $15,000 to the Read Clinic to provide scholarships for students of families unable to pay for tutoring sessions. A Children’s Miracle Network ® grant of $30,000 to the CCCC helps offset fees for diagnostic services provided to indigent families. Relationships like these—fostered by the Foundation, made possible by the generous support of our donors—often feel like “six degrees of separation” that have yet to play out. Isn’t it inspiring to think of the continuing domino effect, as future lives are changed for the better as a result of your charitable investment? Pathfinders Year-End 2008 13
Page 1 and 2: Year-End 2008 A publication of Gund
Page 3 and 4: A Legacy of Love Betty Ann MacPhetr
Page 5 and 6: Special GIVING My IRA is helping ot
Page 7 and 8: Summer Research Fellowships Advance
Page 9 and 10: “I am alive today because of the
Page 11: Betty and Jon Kabara take the podiu
Page 15 and 16: Commemorative Gifts In honor of 1st
Page 17 and 18: In honor of Brian M. Sieck, MD Judi
Page 19 and 20: In memory of George P. Caffrey Gund
Page 21 and 22: In memory of Linda W. Hass Barb Sun
Page 23 and 24: In memory of Marvin M. Lee Connie L
Page 25 and 26: In memory of Ethel M. Peterson Caro
Page 27 and 28: Marabeth Leum Lori Oesterle Mr. & M
Page 29 and 30: Platinum Sponsor Pepsi-Cola Bottlin
Page 31 and 32: A New Online Portal for Gundersen L

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