Fundraising
Hospital Campaign Gets $1M Boost from Chairman
Setting the fundraising tone for a multi-million-dollar new hospital project for Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Md., the hospital's foundation chairman, Hillard Donner, donated the first $1 million.
The "New Century for Caring" campaign is hoping to raise $15 million for a new six-story hospital that will specialize in acute care.
The projected cost is $65 million; the hospital should be completed by 2002.
To reach the multi-million dollar fundraising goal, the campaign steering committee is forming sub-committees to target key market segments which include employees, corporations, civic and community groups and the medical staff, according to Lisa Hillman, the center's executive director of fundraising and planning.
The campaign will rely on personal presentations to its target audiences of past contributors and community groups to solicit the funds.
So far, senior staff members have raised $300,000 and $2.5 million was pledged by the Auxiliary of AAMC (its largest gift ever). Other advance donations include $600,000 from the Anne Arundel Health System; $800,000 form corporate and financial institutions and more than $310,000 in early gifts from AAMC's medical staff. (AAMC, Mary Lou Baker, 410/267-1373)
Online Ventures
Coalition Launches Web Site for Under-served Youth
The Coalition for Healthier Cities and Communities launched an online community forum to support America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth, the multi-year national initiative led by retired Gen. Colin Powell.
The Web site, http://www.healthycommunities.org, is a pro bono effort by Informix Software Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company, Netscape and three Web design firms.
By year-end, the site is expected to link with more than 200 organizations and 1,300 communities nationwide.
Targeting geographically dispersed community organizations, the forum will feature thousands of pages of youth advocacy information, best practice models, resources for measurement tools, and a workforce training bank.
The final phase of the Web site will provide interactive tutorial opportunities for registered community groups.
The primary goal of America's promise is to ensure that at least two million young people (between birth and 20 years of age) have access to five fundamental resources:
- A caring adult;
- Safe, structured activities outside of school;
- Adequate healthcare at birth and throughout childhood;
- A marketable skill through effective education; and
- An opportunity to give back through community service.
(Coalition for Healthier Cities, Stephen Davidow; 312/422-2620)
Agency News
New PR/Public Affairs Affiliate Launched
Two Ohio communications firms teamed up to form HMS/Success, a PR/public affairs consulting firm headquartered in Columbus.
HMS Partners, an advertising/PR firm merged its expertise with The Success Group, a government affairs consulting firm, to provide clients strategic communication programs that combine public affairs and PR strategies.
The services will include:
- strategic planning and counsel;
- full-service media relations;
- public education campaigns;
- issues management;
- crisis communications; and
- reputation management services.
(HMS/Success, 614/222-2523)