What Health Care Philanthropy Taught Us in 2025
- Accordant Team
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
As 2025 comes to a close, the Accordant team reflects on a year of change, progress and meaningful impact in health care philanthropy. This year reaffirmed lasting philanthropy is driven not just by strategy and results, but by the integrity, vision and dedication of those leading the work.
This year reaffirmed lasting philanthropy is driven not just by strategy and results, but by the integrity, vision and dedication of those leading the work.
The reflections below highlight key themes that emerged from our work in 2025, including the importance of focus and energy, the enduring role of values in times of change and the critical need for trust and transparency in donor engagement.
Accordant Principal Consultant & Communications Practice Leader
“One of the overriding themes to this past year has been fuel. It is easy for each of us to feel overwhelmed by deadlines, deliverables, personality clashes, stresses from home, health concerns and just the daily grind of work. We all need some form of fuel to stay focused, energized—optimistic. If we have the right fuel and enough of it, we can do brilliant, inspired work.
A lack of fuel in the communications world is easy to see. Storytelling is flat, words are lazy, images are predictable and everything has a cobbled together, out-of-place feel to it. Fuel isn’t hard for me to find but I must be mindful to harvest it. For me it comes from first-person grateful patient storytelling. From donors who are anxious to share their insights about personal beliefs and altruism. It comes from physicians who are imagining aloud what a new piece of equipment will do for their patients. It comes from board members telling me their origin stories. It comes from knowing you helped a donor become part of a mission.
Without question each of us has unique ways we get fuel. Wishing you all a wonderful, fuel-filled 2026!”
Accordant Principal Consultant & Certified Executive Coach
“As we approach the coming decade, we anticipate greater disruption and accelerated change across our sector. What remains true are the embedded virtues and meaningfulness of philanthropic work. The Stoics remind us that true giving is motivated by virtues, deeper connections and individual flourishing.
Looking back on 2025 and our client relationships, I am grateful for their unwavering commitment. As I look to 2026, their dedication to service continues to inspire hope for navigating disruption and cultivating greater agility in times of change.”
Accordant President & Principal Consultant
“One topic I keep seeing a lot about is trust. It is becoming more relevant as we build our expertise with AI tools that we need to keep a watchful eye on how we are implementing these tools. In this day and age of social media filters and Reels showing "perfect" lives, I have been giving a lot of thought to authenticity and its critical role in helping health care organizations build trusting relationships with the donors who can support their missions. Donors expect to be engaged meaningfully and will hold philanthropy professionals accountable to be transparent and honest about the impact of their gifts. We must resist the temptation to present only the good parts of our organization. Pull back the curtain and build real connections through humility, vulnerability and sincerity. The trust that will result from these actions will ensure long lasting donor relationships and respect for you and your organization.”
Accordant Principal Consultant
“This year I learned that hope is both resilient and renewable. Even as trust feels fragile and negativity dominates the headlines, philanthropy continues to be a powerful force for good; grounded in compassion, perseverance and a deep belief in people helping people. This year, I worked hard to better understand how AI can be used effectively and responsibly, not as a replacement for human connection, but as a tool to help our clients work smarter, see new possibilities and increase their impact. I watched teams push forward despite long odds, start new campaigns, reimagine success and find joy in small wins and meaningful progress. Our clients see the impact of their work every day, and even in difficult moments, they keep fighting for better care, better facilities and better outcomes for their communities. Supporting them with the tools, guidance and perspective they need, while helping them find glimmers of hope and renewed optimism, has been deeply rewarding and continues to remind me why this work matters.”
Accordant Principal Consultant for Philanthropy Operations & Data
“In 2025, I realized that data governance is not just a back-office function or a frontline priority; it is the bridge between the two. When operations, fundraisers and foundation leaders work from the same structures and share the same definitions, everything connects more smoothly. Teams make decisions faster, communication improves and the work feels more aligned.
This year also showed me how important curiosity is when exploring new AI tools and resources. There is so much available now, and when we approach it with a learner’s mindset, we can find tools that truly support the work. The key is using AI in ways that fit the organization’s real needs, adding clarity, not distraction and keeping the focus on the goals already in motion.”
As we enter 2026, the lessons of 2025 will continue to guide our work. Even amid uncertainty, philanthropy remains rooted in trust, virtues and a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference. We are grateful for the partners who make this work possible and look forward to advancing this mission together in the year ahead.
