Heather Wiley Starankovic, CFRE, CAP®

Discover how board buy-in is a change-management challenge—one that can be led, coached and measured—so board members become genuine partners rather than passive observers.

This paper explores how to set a goal that rallies people, how to monitor the assumptions beneath it and how to reset without losing trust when the environment, leadership or strategy shifts.

This paper positions feasibility planning as a mirror that reflects where leadership is strong, where it is fractured and what must be resolved to campaign with credibility.

Campaign readiness is often treated like waiting for a green light. However, readiness is something you earn by doing the internal work: clarifying priorities, aligning leaders and being honest about capacity, timing and risk.

Best practice is helpful until a campaign hits real life. In health care philanthropy, the difference between “knowing the playbook” and winning often comes down to whether leaders are willing to do the unglamorous work: align priorities, name tradeoffs and show up consistently as partners in the ask.

In Part 4 of this four-part series on authentic donor engagement, we discover how to translate appreciation into lasting, mission-driven investment.

As we step into 2026, the challenge is no longer understanding how giving has changed. It is translating those lessons into smart, measurable strategy. Here is what planning smarter looks like in 2026.

As we reflect on year 2025, the philanthropic landscape—particularly within health care—presents both significant opportunities and pressing challenges. For health care philanthropy professionals, this is the moment to rethink engagement models from the ground up.

In Part 3 of this four-part series on authentic donor engagement, we explore practical moves that build donor alignment.

In Part 2 of this four-part series on authentic donor engagement, we explore the critical role of prospect qualification in health care philanthropy.

This four-part series traces the full progression of authentic donor engagement, from first conversation to long-term partnership. Each paper explores a core discipline that defines exceptional philanthropy. In Part 1, we will explore 10 rules for building meaningful donor connections.

Here are 10 essential steps to take to ensure your major gifts program starts and finishes strong, resulting in a transformative, epic year.