Foundation Update - Spring 2010

A Message From Cherlyn L. Spencer

Executive Director, Alameda County Health Care Foundation

Dear Friends,

As we prepare for our 20^th Anniversary Gala (see below), it is a fitting time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished over the past two decades (see below). As I look back, one thing stands out to me: how essential the support of the staff of Alameda County Medical Center and the community as a whole has been to our accomplishments. Our success is your success; I am eternally grateful for your friendship and support.

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Cultivating Funding for the Medical Center’s Programs

“I appreciate everyone in the [Dental] Clinic for what they do and for their kind, thoughtful care,” a donor wrote in a recent letter, which was accompanied by a significant gift to the Medical Center’s (ACMC’s) Highland Dental Clinic.

The donation was routed through the Alameda County Health Care Foundation’s (ACHCF’s) Donor Advisory Funds (DAF), which serves as a fiscal intermediary for about a dozen ACMC departments and special programs. By receiving funds as a DAF client, an ACMC program can accept funding from philanthropic foundations, which typically only fund programs sponsored by 501(c)(3) organizations. Further, donations to 501(c)(3) entities are tax-deductible. All ACMC Departments and Programs requiring a 501(c)(3) for submission of a proposal are eligible to apply for this program. For more information, visit ACHCF’s website (daf.achcf.org).

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Board Member Spotlight: Mike Taigman

In 1974, Mike Taigman began his Emergency Medical Service (EMS) career in a small Colorado town. He worked as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in a rural community for a few years before  becoming a paramedic and moving to a busy urban EMS system in Denver.

Mike is now known worldwide as an EMS innovator and progressive leader. He has worked with EMS systems in 48 U.S. states, most of the Canadian provinces, Palestine, Israel, Australia, and Tasmania, as well as throughout Europe. Mike has helped those in charge of EMS systems improve their clinical performance, their relationship with their employees, and the sustainability of their organizations. In addition, he has helped them become more involved in community health. 

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Raffles Prizes and How to Get Tickets

Four fantastic raffle baskets, valued at $2,000 and up EACH are being offered this year! Raffle tickets are available April 22 until June 5, the night of the Gala when the raffle drawings will be held! Winners of raffle baskets do not need to be present to win.

How to Get Your Raffle Tickets

Raffle tickets are available for a $10 donation each, or 3 tickets for $25.

1. You can get them in the ACMC Highland Campus Cafeteria on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning April 22, and in the Fairmont Grill on Wednesdays, beginning April 28.

2. You can download the raffle ticket order form here, and send in your order with your check and the raffle tickets will be mailed to you.

3. You can contact any one of the Foundation Board members.

4. You can visit Foundation staff in our new offices at 2001 Broadway, Suite M, in uptown Oakland, Monday-Friday. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Choose which basket you would like to win!

Basket #1 - Food & Wine
Treat yourself! Wine and dine around the Bay!

Basket #2 - Spa & Fitness
It's all about you! Relax, rejuventate, renew!

Basket #3 - Travel & Entertainment
Get away from it all! Escape, explore, enjoy!

Basket #4 - Sports & Games
Play a round, go out to the ball game, and more!

For more details about the raffle prize baskets, see our web pages above describing the basket contents.

To obtain raffle tickets by mail, download the order form here. 

Medical Staff Receives Outstanding Philanthropist Award

The Board of Directors and staff of the Alameda County Health Care Foundation (ACHCF) awarded the Medical Center’s Medical Staff the Outstanding Philanthropist award. This well-deserved honor recognizes the Medical Staff’s support of ACHCF’s program priorities over our twenty years of service to the Medical Center.

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Celebrating Twenty Memorable Years

by Cherlyn Spencer, Executive Director

The celebration of the Alameda County Health Care Foundation’s (ACHCF’s) 20th anniversary leads me to reflect on the past two decades: where we started and how far we have come. I want to share a few milestones with you and thank you once again for your support.

There used to be two foundations: the Highland Hospital Foundation—where I was the first staff person—and the Fairmont Hospital Foundation, an all-volunteer organization. In the late 1990’s, out of a shared desire to leverage our fundraising capacity for the Medical Center as a whole, the two merged to become the Alameda County Health Care Foundation (ACHCF).

Starting with a budget of $11,000, we had our marching orders: we had to raise money! In the early 1990’s,  we launched our first fundraising event—a gala—which has become a treasured annual tradition. A few years later, we hosted what has become another favorite annual fundraising event: our golf tournament.

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