National Program Spotlight

Aligning our Philanthropy Ministry

Chicago, Ill. (December 6, 2021) – CommonSpirt Health recently released its strategic planning framework to move our national ministry forward into the next phase of our evolution. A core initiative of that framework focuses on the development of "One CommonSpirit" to harmonize and unite systems and processes and to strive toward efficiencies across the enterprise.

Philanthropy is proud to lead the way, bringing our systems together as part of One CommonSpirit by initiating a database conversion project for several of our local foundations. The goal of the conversion is to increase fundraising nationally through enhanced data intelligence, improved financial management, refined communication capabilities and heightened donor stewardship at the local level. The subsequent efficiencies and streamlining of processes will ultimately result in greater philanthropic performance and stronger support for programs serving our local communities.

Beginning in December of 2021 and running through the fall of 2022, the conversion project combines a highly complex data migration process as well as a thorough training and education program for each staff member involved. The first phase involves uniting systems in 13 foundations across Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas. Seven unique databases will be migrated into CommonSpirit’s DREAM (Donor, Relations, Engagement, Analytics and Management) database, already utilized by 19 of the system’s other foundations in Arizona, California and Nevada.

As a result of the conversion, not only will the foundations have increased data management and financial tracking capabilities, they will also be brought onto the Blackbaud Internet Services (BBIS) platform, empowering them to utilize robust website and email communication and enhanced online fundraising capabilities.

“The One CommonSpirit initiative is of the utmost importance to us,” says Fred Najjar, CommonSpirit’s Executive Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer and President of CommonSpirit Health Foundation. “We are fortunate that within our philanthropy Technology and Innovation team we have nationally-recognized leadership who has led large-scale data migration initiatives of this type previously. We look forward to philanthropy serving as a shining example of how our ministry can come together as One CommonSpirit.”

The foundations that are included in the first phase of conversion are:

Brazosport Health Foundation
Catholic Health Initiatives Colorado Foundation
Flaget Memorial Hospital Foundation
Memorial Health Care System Foundation
Saint Joseph Berea Hospital Foundation
Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation
Saint Joseph London Foundation
Saint Joseph-Mount Sterling Foundation
St. Joseph Foundation of Bryan Texas
St. Luke's Foundation
St. Vincent Foundation
Trinity Health Foundation
Yavapai Regional Medical Center Foundation

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