August 1, 2017
Denise Lamphier, Director of Communications and Development at Grinnell Regional Medical Center
I am a matchmaker.
My goal as Grinnell Regional Medical Center’s director of development is to connect donors with the causes, projects, and needs that are important to them. Plenty of ways to support the medical center exist, from helping with capital projects like a new emergency department to funding free medical care at the Community Care Clinic for people who are uninsured or underinsured.
The hospital also collaborates with the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation. In this love connection, this incredible foundation serves as our number one destination for endowment building.
GRMC currently has two designated endowments housed within the community foundation:
- The Grinnell Regional Medical Center Endowment Fund assures the long-term success and prosperity of the medical center, providing support for capital improvements, construction projects, large equipment purchases, special programs, and other needs.
This fund was started in 2011 with a $10,000 gift from a donor and has grown to $112,500 thanks to other generous donations. Distributions from the fund this year are helping support a $2.2 million renovation to the medical center’s emergency department, which is expected to be complete in January 2018.
- The Grinnell Regional Mental Health Endowment fund helps provide quality mental health services to area residents and helps cover the costs of unreimbursed mental healthcare.
This fund was started in 2013 with a $10,300 gift from a donor and has grown to $116,000. In 2016, distributions from the fund were leveraged with other donations to recruit a new outpatient mental health clinic to the Grinnell community. In 2017, the distributions will support patient needs at the mental health clinic.
The hospital’s relationship with GPCF has been so successful it would make cupid blush. The idea behind matchmaking is to pair people according to their values, goals, and outlook on life. GPCF helps enhance the fundraising playbook the hospital can offer our donors by rewarding those who give to the endowment funds with a 25 percent Endow Iowa state income tax credit. This incentive makes our endowment funds attractive for donors.
The best part of this marriage? The love that will be spread throughout the community through important services for years to come.
