Ways to Fund Your Schwartz Center Programs

For more than three decades, the Schwartz Center has partnered with healthcare organizations to advance compassion for patients, care teams, and their healing relationships. Our programs reduce psychological distress in care teams, increase empathetic care for patients, and reduce burnout – all of which drive improved health outcomes.

View our webinar to learn ways to amplify your fundraising team’s knowledge of the Schwartz Center’s programs and link them to your donor’s interests from Schwartz Center’s Director of Individual Giving Jessica Moran-MacAleese and President of the Texas Health Resources Foundation Laura McWhorter.

Seeing the opportunity, not the burden

Position the opportunity to connect others to a meaningful mission, inspiring them to make a difference.
Present Schwartz Center programs as a specific project to support, helping your fundraisers provide a clear, meaningful cause to donors rather than unrestricted funds.

Building a relationship with fundraising, marketing, and public affairs colleagues

Identify the right fundraising contact—maybe the Director of Development, VP of Advancement, Chief Development Officer, or Major Gift Officer. These leaders build donor relationships and seek engaging projects.
Help the contact understand the Schwartz Center’s mission and the impact of our programs.
If your organization hosts the Schwartz Rounds^® program, invite them to observe a session to see the program’s benefits firsthand. If not, offer to provide a recording of a successful Schwartz Rounds session (reach out to membership@theschwartzcenter.org for the recording).

Share the impact of the Schwartz Rounds program

85%

of respondents said the Schwartz Rounds program increased their understanding and practice of empathy with patients

90%

of attendees reported a greater understanding of the psychosocial and emotional aspects of patient care

50%

reduction in psychological distress

Extensive studies show the Schwartz Rounds program significantly improve caregiver well-being—the more sessions attended, the greater the benefit. Caregivers report better understanding of patients’ emotional needs and greater compassion.

To engage fundraisers, include them on Schwartz Rounds emails, invite them to sessions and share program videos with potential donors. Fundraisers will see the program’s value firsthand.

Identifying possible donors

After building a relationship with your fundraising partner and sharing information about Schwartz Center programs, consider potential donors. While you don’t manage these relationships, healthcare staff often interact with grateful patients and clinicians.

Here are ideas to share with fundraisers:

Conversations you have had with patients
Opportunities to honor colleagues
Engage C-suite executives
Consider local business sponsors

Acknowledging donors

The Schwartz Center is a respected healthcare brand with more than 30 years of experience implementing evidence-based programming. Donors will value supporting both your local institution as well as an internationally recognized organization like the Schwartz Center.

A few ideas for showing appreciation for donors and raising awareness:

Add the donor’s name on promotional materials or display tent cards at events
Make announcements or use slides at the beginning or end of sessions
A simple thank-you graphic in email signatures

While some donors prefer anonymity, others appreciate public recognition, especially businesses seeking visibility.

Discussing costs and making your case

Work with your fundraising partner to identify the true cost of Schwartz Center programs by considering all related expenses. These include:

Program fees for access and resources
Ongoing annual fees
Food for attendees to create a welcoming space
Room fees for meeting spaces
A/V costs for microphones, recording, or streaming
Staff time for clinical leaders, facilitators, and coordinators

Be conservative in your estimates to show the full effort involved and provide an accurate picture of sustaining the program.

Promotional materials to support your fundraising

The Schwartz Center offers ready-to-use flyers and rack cards for high-traffic areas like lobbies and waiting rooms to introduce the Schwartz Center and its impact. These customizable materials highlight the program’s mission and encourage engagement from patients, staff, and donors. In addition, video content like this is a great way to share more about our work with potential donors or fundraising colleagues. More videos are available on our YouTube channel.

To request materials please contact Development@theschwartzcenter.org