Staff Sparks a 'Flame of Philanthropy' by Participating in Annual Staff Campaign

Last week, the CMA Foundation kicked off the CMA & Affiliates staff campaign by inviting their colleagues to pack their backpacks and hike along to their campsite to set the philanthropic scene. This year’s theme was “We Need S’more Philanthropy.” Every year since 1999, the staff campaign has provided staff members with a voluntary opportunity to become a philanthropist and participate in making grants in the health and wellness arena.

“Last year over 50% of the affiliated staff made contributions to a wide range of charitable funds at the Foundation that support a variety of organizations, programs, and projects focused on health and wellness,” said Ann Eliot, Development and Program Administrator of the Foundation.

Staff gather around the “campfire” for the CMA Foundation’s annual Staff Campaign kickoff

“This campaign is an opportunity to share with staff members the wide array of philanthropic options available under one roof,” Eliot continued, “The ultimate goal is to raise awareness of these options and give everyone an opportunity to participate in healthcare philanthropy.”

After gathering around the campfire at last week’s kickoff meeting and hearing stories to ignite the philanthropic spirit, staff members were encouraged to “feed the fire” of philanthropy by becoming a philanthropist.

“It’s all about participating and showing that you believe in the mission of the Foundation, not the size of your gift,” said Cathy Thompson, Staff Campaign Committee member.

 This year’s campaign runs through the month of November.

Staff members pass a marshmallow-stick during CMA Foundation’s Staff Campaign kickoff

Staff members enjoyed some tasty treats, as they passed around marshmallows and learned how they, through the CMA Foundation, can support various health-related efforts in Central Ohio. Of particular interest was the Staff Charitable Fund. This donor-created fund gives participating staff members the opportunity to identify charitable grant recipients throughout the year and recommend distributions to them in support of their health and wellness projects.

“Staff members read or hear about projects that might need a little seed money, or they discover a need that the Staff Fund could help fulfill, and they pull together materials surrounding that project or need,” Eliot said. “Donors to the Staff Fund then have the opportunity to vote on the proposed project, and if approved it becomes an official recommendation to be processed by the Foundation.”

Established in 1958, the Columbus, medical Association Foundation makes grants from its unrestricted resources to improve the health of the community. The Foundation also serves as a charitable vehicle through which donors can fulfill their specific philanthropic interest in the health and wellness arena.

Your charitable health care vision of today can become a reality through the CMAF tomorrow.

For more information about charitable giving in support of health and wellness through the CMA Foundation visit: https://www.cmafohio.org/donate-today, or contact Ann Eliot at aeliot@cmafohio.org