An astounding 77% of chief philanthropy officers and chief development officers at healthcare organizations have not received formal training or orientation specific to their roles. In essence, the new leaders are navigating intricate roles without a clear roadmap.
While the healthcare industry offers training programs and orientations for its executives, these often fall short in addressing the specific challenges and intricacies of fundraising. Consequently, they might possess general leadership competencies but lack the specialized knowledge crucial for effective healthcare philanthropy.
That is a key element of research completed and released recently by Advancement Resources and the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy. Advancement Resources’ researchers gathered insights from more than 80 healthcare institutions.
The disparity highlights a pressing need for more bespoke training and mentorship initiatives for philanthropy leaders, according to the report’s authors.
The most pressing challenges for professionals in the healthcare advancement sector include, according to the researchers:
- Balancing Competing Priorities and Effective Time Management
- Financial Oversight
- Team Leadership
- Legal and Regulatory Navigation
- Strategic Fundraising
The multifaceted nature of these roles demands a broader skill set that goes beyond the traditional realms of fundraising, according to the authors. New CPOs and CDOs can be helped by focusing on proficiency in five core skill areas:
- Internal Relationship Building
- Mentorship and Networking
- Understanding Hard Skills
- Improving Soft Skills
- Strategy and Vision
Regular strategy sessions, brainstorming meetings, and feedback loops with both the team and higher management can help in refining and implementing a clear vision. It’s also crucial to stay updated with industry trends and shifts to ensure the strategy remains relevant.
See the full report here: https://content.app-us1.com/A4k8g/2023/10/06/3bb32e98-4bd6-4651-8975-ff4c44d46674.pdf
