Doylestown Health Foundation

How has philanthropy played a part in building Doylestown Health? 

Laura: The tradition of philanthropic support at Doylestown Health was born with our founders, the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown (VIA), and their unwavering dedication to the concept that people in our community should be able to get the best healthcare possible right here in Doylestown. We are fortunate that the community has stepped forward to support Doylestown Health, which has grown from an eight-bed hospital in 1923 to the healthcare system we are today, serving thousands across the region. 

How has the role of the Foundation expanded and changed with the inception of ONE VISION: The Campaign for Doylestown Health? 

Laura: As Doylestown Health has grown and expanded, so has the role of the Foundation. This campaign is our most ambitious fundraising effort to date. Originally conceived with a $75 million goal, it was increased to $100 million early in 2021 thanks to the overwhelming early and ongoing support of our philanthropic community. We have a clearly defined vision and strategy for the second century of care at Doylestown Health and the Foundation will continue to play a major role in realizing that vision. Because the campaign is comprehensive, we are raising funds for long-term strategic priorities—facilities, programs, and people—across Doylestown Health. This is in addition to raising funds annually through leadership and planned giving, special events, and other projects. 

How does this year compare to others in terms of philanthropic giving? 

Laura: We are proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish this year at Doylestown Health. As always, all of our achievements have been supported by philanthropy. When COVID-19 hit Bucks County, and the hospital’s needs became more urgent and more specific, the response from our community was inspiring. Since March, we received over $800,000 in donations from 750 donors, hundreds of whom were first-time donors answering the call for help. That kind of support stands out among the many things that make this community so remarkable. 

What were some of the ways the COVID-19 response impacted fundraising efforts this year? 

Laura: Instead of slowing us down, the pandemic created new opportunities for our partners in philanthropy to get involved in meaningful ways. The Foundation is a connector—channeling the goodwill of our community into action to meet the immediate needs of the hospital. 

Some of our donors even shifted their business operations to produce essential safety equipment for us to prevent shortages. We received and organized donations of food, medical supplies, PPE, comfort items for our clinical teams, and incredible messages of support. We are proud to feature some of these stories in this issue of the Philanthropy Report, and many more can be viewed on our website. It’s exciting to demonstrate to our donors that they are making a difference. 

Does philanthropy impact Doylestown Health’s ability to remain independent? What are the advantages to being an independent health system in an era of healthcare consolidation? 

Laura: Philanthropic investments have been, and will always be, a vital part of Doylestown Health’s success and standing as an independent health system. Our independence is a strength, and gives us the flexibility to innovate and act quickly when needed. Our response to COVID-19 is a great example. Since construction of the Clark Center for Critical Care Medicine is still underway, we have an opportunity to incorporate lessons learned from COVID-19 and real-time feedback from physicians and care providers. We are already making enhancements to the construction of the new ICU that will elevate care, comfort, and safety for patients. Philanthropy truly enables the extraordinary at Doylestown Health and we are grateful for every gift and every donor.