Local Program Spotlight

Barrow Neurological Foundation Achieves Outstanding Philanthropic Results

Chicago, Ill. (April 20, 2021) – For Barrow Neurological Foundation in Phoenix, Ariz., a continued focus on a multi-year strategic plan combined with a reorganization of the foundation’s programs has proven instrumental in achieving exceptional results.

Barrow’s foundation raised $20 million in fiscal year 2020, exceeding their budget by $2 million. Over the same period, they decreased their fundraising expenses by 15 percent and improved their cost-to-raise-a-dollar by 18 percent. All of this was achieved during a year marked by the arrival of a global pandemic and its significant impacts on our communities, the health care industry and our economy.

The foundation’s reorganization, a component of its four-year strategic plan, emphasized an alignment with the institutional, rational and emotional reasons for philanthropic support of the institute and its work. This translated to significantly increased fund development across multiple programs, including:

the Barrow Emergency Stroke Treatment Unit, a specially equipped and staffed mobile emergency room bringing Barrow’s expert stroke care directly to patients in crisis;
efforts to help treat and cure Alzheimer's disease, the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, through programs focused on early detection and the first-ever trial of deep brain stimulation to slow cognitive decline; and
the Sontag Spine Center, honoring retired physician Volker K.H. Sonntag, MD by continuing his legacy of research, innovation and education to treat painful and debilitating spine conditions.

During this same period of increased fundraising, the foundation transferred an impressive $30 million to Barrow Neurological Institute. Within that transfer was $11.5 million of philanthropic support for the Neuroplex at Barrow Neurological Institute. Scheduled to open in the fall of 2021, the 5-story, 122,000 square-foot Neuroplex will house numerous specialized departments, ambulatory surgical suites and will allow for a 50 percent expansion in laboratory research space.

In recognition of Barrow Neurological Foundation’s exception accomplishments, they were honored as the Foundation of the Year at CommonSpirit Health®’s Philanthropy Education Summit 2021. This recognition distinguishes them among CommonSpirit’s 80+ fundraising offices across the ministry.

“We are honored to raise money to support our donors’ passion for the life-saving programs at Barrow Neurological Institute,” says Katie Cobb, president of Barrow Neurological Foundation. “I want to congratulate my entire team including our committed and passionate board for performing at a level of excellence that can garner an award like this. It’s this level of performance that can fund the hope of countless patients facing the most debilitating neurological conditions.”

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