title: Philanthropy as a source of funding for nursing initiatives.
abstract: Nurse leaders are challenged with ensuring that research and evidence-based practices are being integrated into clinical care. Initiatives such as the Magnet Recognition Program have helped reinforce the importance of advancing nursing practices to integrate best practices, conduct quality improvement initiatives, improve performance metrics, and involve bedside nurses in conducting research and evidence-based practice projects. While seeking research funding is an option for some initiatives, other strategies such as seeking funding from grateful patients or from philanthropic resources are becoming important options for nurse leaders to pursue, as the availability of funding from traditional sources such as professional organizations or federal funding becomes more limited. In addition, more institutions are seeking and applying for funding, increasing the pool of candidates who are vying for existing funding. Seeking alternative sources of funding, such as through philanthropy, becomes a viable option. This article reviews important considerations in seeking funding from philanthropic sources for nursing initiatives. Examples from a multiyear project that focused on promoting a healthy work environment and improving nursing morale are used to highlight strategies that were used to solicit, obtain, and secure extension funding from private foundation funding to support the initiative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine (Mr McIntosh), Center for Clinical Research & Scholarship (Dr Kleinpell), Rush University Medical Center (Ms Worobec and Dr Llewellyn), Chicago, Illinois; Rush University College of Nursing, Chicago, Illinois (Drs Kleinpell and Llewellyn and Mr McIntosh); and Rush Oak Park Hospital, Chicago Illinois (Ms Start).
authors.forename: Ruth M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Kleinpell
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Start
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McIntosh
authors.forename: Sophia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Worobec
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Llewellyn
mesh_terms: D005653:Fund Raising / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D009726:Nurses; D009729:Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D016730:Program Development / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D017132:Workplace / Q000191:economics*