February 23, 2001

The MGH recently topped another impressive list as the number one hospital in Boston, this time as the best hospital fundraiser for the United Way of Massachusetts Bay campaign. Of all the hospitals that raise money for the nonprofit service organization — 25 in total — the MGH raised $206,847 in the 2000 MGH United Way campaign. The announcement was made at a special thank you luncheon recognizing campaign committee members, department representatives and volunteers Feb. 16 in the Trustees Room.

The best news from this year's campaign success is that a substantial portion of the increase from last year's results will come back to the MGH as a United Way donation to the MGH Social Services Department. More than $24,000 will be given to Social Services to help MGH patients with special needs.

MGHers involved with the campaign give a "big check" to the United Way.

"This was the hospital's most successful campaign ever," said Nancy Marttila, of the MGH Office of the President and co-chair of the campaign. "And we have all the wonderful employees who contributed to the campaign to thank for it. We also couldn't have done it without the extraordinary efforts of the campaign committee and the department representatives."

The mission of the United Way is to evaluate local human service needs and to raise funds to support organizations that have helped address those needs and strengthened communities.

According to John Herman, MD, of MGH Psychiatry and co-chair of the campaign, this year's results showed a 31 percent increase over last year's, far exceeding the initial goal of 4 percent growth. The number of donors also increased from 898 in the last campaign to 1,032 in 2000, with a substantial increase in the number of leadership gifts (donations of $1,000 or more). "This was a phenomenal year," said Herman. "This campaign exceeded all of our expectations."