Philanthropic giving to nonprofit hospitals and health systems held steady in fiscal year 2012 compared with 2011, despite economic pressures, according to the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy's annual report.
Nonprofit hospitals and health systems raised approximately $8.9 billion through philanthropy last year, an increase of more than 7 percent over fundraising revenue in 2010, according to a news release. About 25 percent of the donation funds were intended to pay for construction and renovation projects. Patient care program support was the reason behind 21 percent of donations. Additionally, 12.9 percent were for capital equipment purchases, and 10.8 percent were intended for general operations, according to the release.
The effectiveness and efficiency of fundraising efforts didn't change much last year. Median return on investment per dollar was $3.22 in fiscal year 2012, a two cent decline from 2011. The cost to raise a dollar held steady with a median of 31 cents.
On average, hospitals and health systems spent 4.2 percent of donations on charitable care. Children's hospitals spent the biggest portion in that area, devoting 10.3 percent to charitable care.
View more facts from the AHP Report on Giving on the organization's website.
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