National Program Spotlight

CommonSpirit Health Again Recognized Among Top Performing Health Care Fundraisers by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy

Chicago, Ill. (April 21, 2022) – CommonSpirit Health has again been ranked among the top high-performing health care fundraisers in North America by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP). This recognition celebrates the combined performance of CommonSpirit’s 80-plus fundraising entities across its 21-state ministry as well as the national efforts of CommonSpirit Health Foundation.

“It is an honor to be recognized amongst our peers performing at the top of our industry,” says Fred Najjar, CommonSpirit’s Executive Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer and President of CommonSpirit Health Foundation. “Such accomplishment is only possible when allies and advocates walk alongside our dedicated professionals to generously support our mission and the health and well-being of those we serve.”

CommonSpirit was recognized for achieving both the “High Performer: Overall” and “High Performer: Healthcare System” status as a part of the AHP 2021 Report on Giving. In the report (representing data from fiscal year 2020) AHP had 166 respondents from the U.S. and 16 respondents from Canada. CommonSpirit’s philanthropy ministry has consistently been recognized among the industry’s high performers since 2016 when AHP first ranked then-Dignity Health among the top 10 high-performing health care fundraisers in North America.

"CommonSpirit Health has once again demonstrated that they are among the top in our field,” says Alice Ayres, President and Chief Executive Officer of AHP. “Not only do they consistently perform at the highest levels, they are respected advisors and leaders in the industry and within our organization. I have witnessed first-hand the investment CommonSpirit makes into every member of their philanthropy enterprise, from staff to community advocates, donors and volunteers. Congratulations to Fred and his entire team."

Overall high performers represent AHP's traditional criteria of the top 25 percent in net production revenue across all respondents in the annual Report on Giving. In fiscal year 2020, these high performers raised more than $19 million in the U.S. and more than $22.7 million in Canada.

High performers in the HealthCare System category represent those that reached the top 25 percent in net fundraising revenue out of all participating healthcare systems in the Report on Giving. In fiscal year 2020, these high performers raised more than $29.6 million in the U.S.

The Association for Healthcare Philanthropy is an international professional organization dedicated exclusively to development professionals who encourage charity in health care organizations. AHP's 5,500 members represent more than 2,200 health care facilities around the world. CommonSpirit’s Najjar currently serves as the Chair of AHP’s Board of Directors.

CommonSpirit Health has 80-plus fundraising entities located across the U.S. Over the past five years, these foundations have raised a combined $1 billion and in fiscal year 2021, CommonSpirit raised more than $285 million — a record-breaking amount for the organization — to ensure that it can continue to serve the vulnerable and build healthy communities. The organization does this nationally through CommonSpirit Health Foundation, and locally through its network of regional and community-based fundraising entities.

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