Healthcare Endowment Management: 3 Questions to Consider

January 10, 2017 |
2 minute read
|

Mounting cost pressures are forcing small and mid-sized nonprofit healthcare organizations to consider adopting endowment management practices similar to those used elsewhere in the nonprofit sector.

The healthcare business model is changing. In the face of declining reimbursement from insurance companies and governmental payers, nonprofit healthcare organizations are confronted with an unprecedented series of challenges, all while striving to maintain positive operating margins.

Having played a major role in their communities for decades, medical practice models are also being challenged. As a result, many doctors have closed their independent practices to become hospital employees. And in hospitals and clinics, the old-style model of brick and-mortar buildings located in major urban centers is being challenged by new delivery systems such as suburban mall-style “big box” shell structures with flexible wards that can easily be changed in response to the advent of new equipment and practices, free from the strictures of plaster walls and concrete slabs.

Although these challenges are being accelerated and intensified by the regulatory and payment changes mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), they are not new and, we believe, will continue despite any repeal or replacement of the ACA.

Healthcare organizations have worked for years to cut costs and maximize operating efficiencies. Larger organizations and networks, with substantial endowments to support their operations, have been better prepared financially to adapt to the more stringent demands of the coming environment and have been more successful in reducing costs and tightening their organizational structure.  Small and mid-sized healthcare providers, however, lack the economies of scale necessary to achieve meaningful cost reduction.

For these, the way forward increasingly includes merging or affiliating with other organizations to form more competitive networks. With or without these operational steps, it will be essential that small and mid-sized healthcare organizations strengthen their resource base by improving their endowment management skills and strengthening their ability to attract gifts and donations.

Should healthcare organizations consider adopting the endowment management model that has been developed over the last three decades by educational institutions and increasingly adopted by other types of nonprofits?

If your organization is contemplating this change in direction, you should consider the fact that it may take several years for your organization to implement these changes and begin to see the benefits  – a fact which makes this task all the more urgent.

Leaders of healthcare organizations will need to consider the following questions:

  • What is the role of the endowment in our healthcare organization?

  • How do actual and potential donors evaluate our skill in managing our present endowment?

  • How can we make the case for larger endowments – and contributions – at a time of fiscal uncertainty?

In this changing landscape, it is essential that small and mid-sized healthcare organizations strengthen their resource base by improving their endowment management skills and strengthening their ability to attract gifts and donations.

 

Commonfund Institute

Author

Commonfund Institute

Disclaimer

Certain information contained herein has been obtained from or is based on third-party sources and, although believed to be reliable, has not been independently verified. Such information is as of the date indicated, if indicated, may not be complete, is subject to change and has not necessarily been updated. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be given by The Common Fund for Nonprofit Organizations, any of its affiliates or any of its or their affiliates, trustees, directors, officers, employees or advisers (collectively referred to herein as “Commonfund”) or any other person as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in any third-party materials. Accordingly, Commonfund shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of relying on any statement in, or omission from, such third-party materials, and any such liability is expressly disclaimed.

All rights to the trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property listed herein belong to their respective owners and the use of such logos hereof does not imply an affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owners of such trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property.

To the extent views presented forecast market activity, they may be based on many factors in addition to those explicitly stated herein. Forecasts of experts inevitably differ. Views attributed to third-parties are presented to demonstrate the existence of points of view, not as a basis for recommendations or as investment advice. Market and investment views of third-parties presented herein do not necessarily reflect the views of Commonfund, any manager retained by Commonfund to manage any investments for Commonfund (each, a “Manager”) or any fund managed by any Commonfund entity (each, a “Fund”). Accordingly, the views presented herein may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of Commonfund, any Manager or any Fund.

Statements concerning Commonfund’s views of possible future outcomes in any investment asset class or market, or of possible future economic developments, are not intended, and should not be construed, as forecasts or predictions of the future investment performance of any Fund. Such statements are also not intended as recommendations by any Commonfund entity or any Commonfund employee to the recipient of the presentation. It is Commonfund’s policy that investment recommendations to its clients must be based on the investment objectives and risk tolerances of each individual client. All market outlook and similar statements are based upon information reasonably available as of the date of this presentation (unless an earlier date is stated with regard to particular information), and reasonably believed to be accurate by Commonfund. Commonfund disclaims any responsibility to provide the recipient of this presentation with updated or corrected information or statements. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For more information please refer to Important Disclosures.

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Disclaimer

Certain information contained herein has been obtained from or is based on third-party sources and, although believed to be reliable, has not been independently verified. Such information is as of the date indicated, if indicated, may not be complete, is subject to change and has not necessarily been updated. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be given by The Common Fund for Nonprofit Organizations, any of its affiliates or any of its or their affiliates, trustees, directors, officers, employees or advisers (collectively referred to herein as “Commonfund”) or any other person as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in any third-party materials. Accordingly, Commonfund shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of relying on any statement in, or omission from, such third-party materials, and any such liability is expressly disclaimed.

All rights to the trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property listed herein belong to their respective owners and the use of such logos hereof does not imply an affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owners of such trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property.

To the extent views presented forecast market activity, they may be based on many factors in addition to those explicitly stated herein. Forecasts of experts inevitably differ. Views attributed to third-parties are presented to demonstrate the existence of points of view, not as a basis for recommendations or as investment advice. Market and investment views of third-parties presented herein do not necessarily reflect the views of Commonfund, any manager retained by Commonfund to manage any investments for Commonfund (each, a “Manager”) or any fund managed by any Commonfund entity (each, a “Fund”). Accordingly, the views presented herein may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of Commonfund, any Manager or any Fund.

Statements concerning Commonfund’s views of possible future outcomes in any investment asset class or market, or of possible future economic developments, are not intended, and should not be construed, as forecasts or predictions of the future investment performance of any Fund. Such statements are also not intended as recommendations by any Commonfund entity or any Commonfund employee to the recipient of the presentation. It is Commonfund’s policy that investment recommendations to its clients must be based on the investment objectives and risk tolerances of each individual client. All market outlook and similar statements are based upon information reasonably available as of the date of this presentation (unless an earlier date is stated with regard to particular information), and reasonably believed to be accurate by Commonfund. Commonfund disclaims any responsibility to provide the recipient of this presentation with updated or corrected information or statements. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For more information please refer to Important Disclosures.