August 2026 Focus
Letter from the President
Finding Your Place in Healthcare Philanthropy
One of the things I've come to appreciate most over the years is that healthcare philanthropy isn't one job – it’s an entire profession (and way of life!) filled with opportunities to make a meaningful difference in ways that align with our individual strengths, interests, and passions. Some of us thrive on building relationships with grateful patients and donors. Others love planning events, managing campaigns, writing grants, stewarding gifts, analyzing data, coordinating volunteers, or telling the stories that connect communities to a mission. There truly is something for almost every personality and skill set.
Like any profession, there are seasons when we feel stretched thin. Burnout is real. Sometimes it isn't that we've lost our passion for the mission—we've simply given everything we have to our current role. Other times, we've outgrown that role or developed new skills and interests that we're eager to put to use. When that happens, it's worth remembering that you don't necessarily have to leave healthcare philanthropy to find renewed purpose. A different organization, a new area of specialization, or a different type of position may be exactly what rekindles the joy that first drew you to this work.
And I’ve learned something personal as I've moved into retirement: retirement doesn't necessarily mean retiring from making a difference. After years of connecting people with causes that matter, many of us simply can't imagine stepping away from service. We may trade hospital board meetings for the local library board, fundraising campaigns for helping at the local animal shelter, or donor events for coordinating a family wedding (which, in my opinion, has been the hardest work of my life!). Once service becomes part of who you are, it has a way of following you into every new chapter.
I love that we are connected not just by our jobs, but by a shared commitment to improving lives. No matter where your career leads – or what chapter comes next – I hope you'll continue to find inspiration, support, and a sense of belonging within NEAHP.
Warmly,
Emily Brooks, M.Ed.
President, NEAHP
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2026 NEAHP Annual Educational Conference
Thank you for your feedback!
We asked, you shared. Your conference survey feedback helps shape future conferences. Here is the 2026 Conference, by the numbers.
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2027 NEAHP Annual Educational Conference
Our Conference Committee is hard at work starting to plan for the 2027 Annual Educational Conference.
Do you plan on joining us for the Annual Educational Conference on March 1-3, 2027 held at The Equinox Resort in Manchester, Vermont?
TAKE SURVEY
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Membership
It’s Never too Early to Renew with NEAHP!
Why wait until the annual conference to renew your NEAHP membership? Renewing now ensures you'll continue to enjoy valuable member benefits, stay connected with colleagues across New England and be the first to take advantage of exciting new opportunities in the year ahead.
One of the newest member benefits in the year ahead is the launch of affinity networking groups, designed in response to member feedback. These groups will bring together professionals with shared interests and experiences, creating meaningful opportunities to connect, collaborate and learn from one another throughout the year.
Want to play an even bigger role in our community? Consider becoming a NEAHP Membership Ambassador. To learn more, contact Erica Bryson at [email protected].
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Legislative Corner
Recent National Reports
- Giving USA 2026: The Annual Report on Philanthropy (Giving Institute/Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy) – Released June 2026. Reports record U.S. charitable giving of $617.2 billion in 2025. Summary Link and Report Link
- Association for Health Care Philanthropy – 2026 Report on Giving (FY2025) The annual benchmarking report for healthcare philanthropy performance and fundraising metrics. Report Link
Note: These reports are proprietary publications, and NEAHP strongly encourages healthcare philanthropy professionals to purchase them to support the outstanding research and analysis provided by the Giving Institute and the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP). However, both provide complimentary summaries, and some of NEAHP's sponsors also publish thoughtful summaries highlighting many of the key findings. We encourage you to visit their websites for additional insights and perspectives on these important reports.
Federal Watch
While there has been no new federal legislation specific to our work since the last newsletter, following are federal happenings that may providing funding opportunities and/or increase philanthropic need in support of our work:
- The CMS Rural Health Transformation Program is a significant federal investment aimed at strengthening rural healthcare through workforce development, technology, access initiatives, and innovative care models. Healthcare philanthropy professionals should monitor how their states are implementing these funds and explore opportunities for partnership. Learn more here. We also encourage you to review your state’s RHT plan for potential grant or collaboration opportunities related to workforce, technology, behavioral health, access, and community health initiatives.
- As states begin implementing changes to Medicaid eligibility, enrollment, and financing policies, healthcare organizations will want to monitor potential impacts on access to care, patient needs, and community health priorities. This impact may inform the work of philanthropy. Resources from the Kaiser Family Foundation provide a nonpartisan overview of key issues to watch in 2026.
- As a reminder, changes to charitable deduction rules that took effect in 2026 (as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) may influence donor strategies and charitable planning. Philanthropy professionals should work closely with gift planning advisors and stay informed about how these changes may affect annual giving, major gifts, and planned gifts. Learn more here.
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Calendar of Events
Thursday, August 20, 2026 | 11:00am - 12:00pm | Zoom
New England Networking Series
Register
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Zoom
Ask the Experts Series: Save the Date
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Sponsor Highlights
Learn from our Sponsors:
The Ethos Multiplier: Measuring What Matters Most in Health Care
Linda Roszak Burton, BS, BBC, ACC, Principal Consultant and Certified Executive Coach
Accordant
The Chief Philanthropy Officer’s Role in Healthcare Leadership: Direct Access & Impact
Jim Lyddy, Principal
Graham-Pelton
The 2026 Outlook: 8 Unique Signals Shaping Healthcare Philanthropy
Cherian Koshy, Vice President
Kindsight
Speaking the Language of Philanthropy in the Age of AI
Kate Nimety, EVP, Strategy
BWF Zuri
As Healthcare Policy Shifts, Philanthropy Matters More
Brian Browne, Associate Vice President
BWF Zuri
Field-Tested Program White Paper: Achieving C-Suite Alignment with Philanthropy
John A. Perry, CFRE, President and Principal Consultant
Engaged Generosity
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