Discover how philanthropy bridges the gaps when healthcare reform changes the rules

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Healthcare has always been shaped by forces larger than any single organization. Public policy, economic pressures, technological breakthroughs and the evolving needs of communities continually redefine how care is delivered and sustained. Each wave of reform reshapes the financial and operational realities facing health systems and the individuals and families who rely on them for care. The recently enacted H.R. 1 is already influencing how hospitals steward limited resources and plan for a future that must balance financial sustainability with meeting the growing health needs of the communities they serve.

In the rapidly growing Carolinas, patient demand is increasing while financial margins continue to grow thinner. Populations are aging, and not-for-profit health systems face the challenge of meeting higher expectations with fewer unrestricted resources. The combination of shrinking reimbursement, labor shortages and the rising costs of care leaves many hospitals operating on the slimmest of margins. In this environment, even modest policy shifts can have serious ripple effects, widening the gap between community health needs and the resources available to meet them.

“Healthcare reform inevitably changes the financial landscape for hospitals and health systems. But what can’t change is our commitment to the communities that count on us. Novant Health Foundation plays a vital role in helping bridge these gaps – ensuring patients continue to receive remarkable care, supporting the caregivers who deliver it and expanding access in the communities that need it most,” said Carl Armato, president and CEO of Novant Health.

Now, more than ever, philanthropy is essential to help close the gap between growing community health needs and the resources available to meet them.

Philanthropy as an Engine for Sustainability

For many years, charitable giving was viewed primarily as a way to support special projects, purchase new equipment or enhance community programs beyond a hospital’s basic operating needs. Today, philanthropy has taken on a far more critical role. It ensures not-for-profit health systems can maintain and expand essential services, protect care quality and continue planning for the future. Charitable support is what can now make it possible for hospitals to move forward with innovations and improvements that would otherwise be delayed – or never realized.

At Novant Health Foundation, we see the difference philanthropic gifts make every single day. Through the generosity and lasting legacy of our donors – individuals, families, corporations and community organizations – we invest in programs that enrich both the patient experience and team member experience while supporting the health of entire communities.

The Rowan Community Care Cruiser was made possible through the generosity of Novant Health Foundation donors, whose support allowed this long-envisioned project to become a reality. Their investment directly expanded access to healthcare by bringing free and low-cost services – including screenings, education, and future child vaccinations -into neighborhoods where transportation and access barriers have historically kept many residents from receiving essential care. As leaders shared during the cruiser’s unveiling, donor funding empowered Novant Health to meet people where they are and deliver lifesaving preventive services to underserved communities across Rowan County.

Strengthening the Safety Net

One of the most immediate and powerful roles philanthropy plays is in preserving the healthcare safety net. Coverage disruptions can quickly derail a patient’s care journey, leading individuals to skip appointments, delay medications or forego essential treatment altogether. Without philanthropic support, many of these efforts would struggle to exist.

Through Novant Health Foundation, philanthropic dollars sustain these critical programs so patients remain connected to care regardless of their financial circumstances. Across our system, donor support empowers our teams to reach patients where they are.

Caroline Hanes, 56, a longtime school counselor in Lexington, North Carolina, was identified as high‑risk at her Novant Health Breast Center visit. Thanks to Novant Health Foundation support, Caroline received a breast MRI she couldn’t otherwise afford, which caught her cancer early. Guided by a nurse navigator through the Risk Counseling Clinic, Caroline accessed timely care despite financial constraints – turning early detection into a better outcome for her and her family.

Investing in Community Health Priorities

Of course, the impact of philanthropy goes beyond sustaining existing programs. New community needs require new programs, which require new funding. Things like behavioral health initiatives, mobile clinics and preventive health programs often fall outside traditional reimbursement structures, even though they produce long-term public health benefits. But in a time when behavioral health challenges and chronic disease rates continue to rise, these philanthropic investments have never been more critical.

At Novant Health Foundation, we channel giving toward areas where both the need and potential impact are greatest – areas like pediatrics, cancer, behavioral health, heart and vascular, stroke and neurosciences, research and education, and orthopedics.

Philanthropic partnerships in these areas allow us to expand access to high-quality care, often bringing advanced treatments closer to home.

Recent philanthropic investments are already transforming care across our communities, with several innovations worthy of special spotlight. Donor generosity made it possible to enhance NICU Transport Trucks, ensuring fragile newborns receive the highest level of critical care from the moment they leave the hospital where they are born. Philanthropy also brought Histotripsy technology to our system, making us the first in North Carolina to offer this groundbreaking, noninvasive therapy that uses focused ultrasound to precisely target and destroy diseased tissue – expanding advanced treatment options close to home.

And thanks to donor support, we added the Balance Tutor, an interactive rehabilitation platform that improves outcomes for patients recovering from neurological, orthopedic, or aggregated balance challenges. Each of these investments demonstrates how community giving accelerates access to leading edge care and brings lifesaving innovation directly to the people who need it most.

Building Capacity Through Capital

In any industry, when balance sheets are under pressure, capital investment is often one of the first areas to slow down. Healthcare is no exception. Yet delivering modern, efficient and safe care requires innovation. Philanthropy makes the necessary investments possible without compromising daily operations or increasing the financial risk of expansion.

Donor support has already transformed care delivery across the Carolinas in meaningful ways. Philanthropic initiatives have helped fund new outpatient centers, upgrade lifesaving equipment and build modern facilities that deliver remarkable care. Philanthropic investment helped create the Novant Health Deloris P. Jordan Neurosciences Clinic at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, expanding access to advanced neurological care across southeastern North Carolina.

Made possible through a landmark gift from the Jordan family, the clinic strengthens Novant Health’s ability to deliver highly coordinated, specialty-driven care for complex conditions such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and spine disorders. By strengthening physical infrastructure alongside clinical capability, donor support ensured Novant Health could expand neuroscience services without compromising operational stability – building long-term capacity to serve the community for generations.

Caring for Those Who Care for Others

We are fortunate to have so many dedicated nurses, physicians, APPs, clinical team members, administrative team members and volunteers at Novant Health. But healthcare is not an easy career. The threat of burnout is real, and retention is increasingly difficult. Recognizing this, many donors increasingly choose to direct their giving toward programs that nurture and support caregivers themselves.

At Novant Health, team member well-being is a top priority. And with the help of Novant Health Foundation, philanthropic partnerships have made possible scholarships, professional development programs and well-being initiatives designed to support the team members who make remarkable care and patient experiences possible. Such investments strengthen morale, promote retention and ensure that the next generation of professionals has the skills and support needed to thrive in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

Flexibility and Responsiveness in a Changing Landscape

Philanthropic resources, on the other hand, give health systems the flexibility to act swiftly. When an urgent community priority emerges, like rising food insecurity or rapid disaster response following regional crises like Hurricane Helene, philanthropy allows health systems to act immediately rather than wait for budget cycles or grant approvals. This agility has proven crucial during periods of major healthcare reform.

A Partnership that Shapes the Future

At its best, philanthropy is a shared commitment between health systems and the communities they serve. Donors are partners helping shape the future of healthcare. This collaboration reinforces a sense of shared ownership and pride. At Novant Health Foundation, we see this partnership in action daily in the form of individuals, families, corporate partners and grant-making institutions working together to expand access to remarkable care and build a healthier future right here in the Carolinas.

Decisions from the halls of Congress and state legislatures will continue to impact the ways we are able to deliver care and grow access. When those impacts create gaps, it is through strong community partnerships and the work of Novant Health Foundation that community and institutional generosity ensures continued access to remarkable care.

Your gift through Novant Health Foundation transforms care, strengthens communities and empowers the clinicians and caregivers who make remarkable experiences possible. With your generosity, you drive Our Cause to create a healthier future and bring remarkable experiences to life through compassionate care, innovation and accessible healthcare.

Together, we can build a stronger, healthier and more connected future for our communities. Now more than ever, your support through Novant Health Foundation ensures patients receive the care they need and empowers the caregivers who serve them. Join us and be part of this vital work that transforms lives every day.

We are deeply grateful to the donors whose generosity makes this work possible. Your support is critical to Novant Health Foundation and to the patients, families and caregivers who depend on the care and innovation it helps provide.

 Give today to be part of the solution building a healthier future for the Carolinas.