Hospital Foundation Hits $1M Mark

October 10, 2015

Hospital Foundation Hits $1M Mark

COOS BAY – The Bay Area Hospital Community Foundation has crossed the $1 million mark as its multiyear capital campaign winds down.

The milestone caps the foundation’s first major fundraising campaign, and it lays the groundwork for a new relationship between the publicly owned hospital and the community it serves, said Barbara Bauder, the hospital’s chief development officer.

“We’re trying to build recognition that this is truly the community’s hospital,” Bauder explained.

Contributions to the campaign will help pay for the hospital’s $55 million expansion project, which concludes in mid-October with the opening of the new wing’s fourth floor. Just as important, however, is the foundation’s expanding role in supporting the community’s healthcare system.

“We hope this campaign establishes a new tradition of charitable support for healthcare,” Bauder said.

Earlier this year, Bay Area Hospital celebrated its 40th anniversary as a publicly owned hospital. Its elected board has a long tradition of responsible fiscal leadership, consistently allowing the hospital to operate without tax support, Bauder said.

Partly because of that fiscal strength, the hospital traditionally has not engaged the community in active philanthropic support. That history stands in sharp contrast with community hospitals nationwide, many of which have built substantial endowments to support medical facilities and programs.

The foundation hopes to follow that example, Bauder said.

The campaign’s cornerstone is a $500,000 gift from Mike and Lindy Keiser via the Oregon Community Foundation. The Keisers, who own Bandon Dunes, are name sponsors of the hospital’s new main lobby.

Several other donors contributed as name sponsors for other parts of the new wing. The privilege of naming a room or public area is offered to donors who give $10,000 or more.

Donors who give $5,000 or more during the campaign will be honored in a permanent display in the lobby. Donations for the campaign are being accepted until November, Bauder said.

Although the campaign is ending, opportunities to support the hospital will continue. New campaigns will support such services as the comprehensive cancer center (now under construction) and the Kids Hope Center, the hospital-sponsored agency responsible for local child abuse investigation and intervention.

To donate or pledge, contact Bauder at barbara.bauder@bayareahospital.org, or call her at (541) 269-8543