From a single-bed hospital in 1897, Children’s Mercy has evolved to become the Kansas City region’s preeminent pediatric healthcare provider and one of the nation’s top pediatric medical centers. Every year, Children’s Mercy serves more than 250,000 children and families from Kansas City, Missouri and far beyond. For more than 120 years, Children’s Mercy has worked to create a world of well-being for children.
Key Elements
- Children’s Mercy raised over $250 million, completing the construction of a new research institute in 2020
- This campaign yielded two $75 million gifts, including one from a local foundation after interviews surfaced the possibility of a larger than expected gift
- CCS conducted over 100 personal interviews and integrated predictive modeling to create the blueprint to fundraise for and successfully open the Children’s Mercy Research Institute
How We Helped
CCS was extremely professional, working seamlessly as an extension of our staff, to provide guidance and gather insights to help inform our campaign goals and objectives. Together, in a collaborative partnership, we were able to exceed campaign expectations leading to the largest one-time gift ever made to a children’s hospital for pediatric research. I would highly recommend CCS when considering a fundraising partner to assist with developing strategies to meet your transformational goals.
Jenea Oliver, PhD, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Children’s Mercy
THE CHALLENGE
To continue to transform the health, well-being, and potential for children, Children’s Mercy identified strategic priorities to provide the best clinical care available. Children’s Mercy also acknowledged the challenges in preparing for a campaign with no formal volunteer structure and the need to cultivate an understanding of the case for support.
Children’s Mercy planned to launch a campaign to provide the best clinical care available through the construction of the Children’s Mercy Research Institute.
THE SOLUTION
CCS was retained to conduct a feasibility and planning study to determine Children’s Mercy’s potential to raise as much as $350 million. Our engagement included an organizational scan to review the philanthropy team’s preparedness to undertake this ambitious effort; a predictive modeling exercise to help surface new major gift potential; and more than 100 personal interviews and an electronic survey.
THE IMPACT
As a result, CCS developed a campaign blueprint to raise funds for the new Children’s Mercy Research Institute. Children’s Mercy received recommendations on the case and messaging, leadership engagement, prospective donors, and a campaign plan as they launched the campaign in-house. More than $250 million has been raised to date, including two transformative $75 million gifts. The construction of the Children’s Mercy Research Institute was completed in September 2020.
Today, CCS is honored to partner once again with Children’s Mercy to conduct a feasibility and planning study to inform the capital fundraising for a new strategic plan as they continue to grow.
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We turn insights into actions, challenges into opportunities, and fundraising goals into mission impact.
Case Studies
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Central US
Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the largest pediatric hospitals and research centers in the US and is consistently ranked as one of the top ten children’s hospitals in the country. CCS has partnered with Nationwide for nearly a decade to support their fundraising.
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
Western US
Benioff Children’s needed to fund their Master Plan Modernization Project to transform the hospital’s ability to provide pediatric health care in the community. CCS has helped manage the $200M campaign since 2013.
Anne Arundel Medical Center
Mid-Atlantic and Southeast US
Anne Arundel Medical Center faced increasing healthcare needs for women, children, and cancer patients. CCS helped plan and manage three campaigns that raised a combined total of $75.1M. These funds made it possible to build a replacement hospital and a new oncology center.
