Dear Chief Development Officers,

The spread of COVID-19 across the U.S., and the world, has upended all our lives, especially those of us working in healthcare. First, I want you to know that we’re thinking of you often, we empathize with your daily struggles and want to do everything we can to help you succeed. I’m writing today to let you know how we’re moving forward at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. We have recently created a COVID-19 taskforce that is focused on creating solutions for hospitals, partners and programs in areas of greatest need in the present and near future. As we learn more of our network’s needs, we will share the strategies and tools the taskforce creates.

We know that because of this virus and its economic impacts, several components of your Foundation’s fundraising efforts, including funds raised through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, will likely be down in 2020. Although some campaigns have been postponed , and a few have been canceled, the vast majority of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraising is still scheduled to happen in 2020. We’ve attached a list of current partner campaign adjustments for 2020 to include scheduled, postponed and cancelled campaigns.

While adjustments can be frustrating and demoralizing, now is a wonderful time to steward and thank these partners for their dedicated fundraising efforts for your hospital. The stewardship message that program directors have been asked to deliver is vital and one of support. While some of our partner locations are closed due to COVID-19, several remain open (Walmart, Costco, Panda, grocery chains and convenience stores) and are serving vital needs in our communities right now. The continuing relationships that your staff members build with our local and regional partners over time is critical to ensuring your fundraising returns to and exceeds 2019 levels once this crisis is over.

From a national perspective, we are working on resources for your program director to help adjust the way they are working with their local partners and programs including virtual tours and kick-offs, how to execute virtual Dance Marathons, and other potential fundraising opportunities. One such program is the innovation of Extra Life United 2020 scheduled to be held during Children’s Hospitals Week in Orlando.  With the postponement of  Orlando events the team has designed Extra Life United:  Online Edition to be held April 7 – 9 where gamers can promote and win money for your hospital.  We will need the knowledge and expertise of your program director in the coming weeks to know what’s happening in your market and innovate new ways to fundraise during and after the spread of COVID-19.

In addition, during this time Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is focusing on awareness efforts to ensure that our cause isn’t forgotten. We have already implemented a #stayinghomefor campaign on social platforms to encourage individuals to stay home and consider vulnerable kids treated at your children’s hospitals. We’ll be expanding upon and refining this message in coming weeks. We want to ensure that when people are ready to give again, they think of children’s hospitals.

Lastly, in speaking with several of your colleagues, we learned that sharing and reading best practices from each other would be a tremendous benefit during this time. To this end, watch for a CDO Hub post coming in the next few weeks. It will highlight a few approaches we have been made aware of across the network and we encourage each of you to share in the comments what you have been doing in your market. You are not alone; we will get through this together.

Once again, we understand what a difficult time this is for you both personally and professionally. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to support you and your team.

Stay safe and healthy,

Clark Sweat
Chief Revenue Officer
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

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• COVID-19