A Successful Hospital Crowdfunding Campaign: Saving Lives with Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation

Background: Raising Money For Hospitals Through A Hospital Crowdfunding Campaign

In contrast to traditional hospital fundraising, a hospital crowdfunding campaign makes it easier to reach a broader audience, leveraging an existing network of passionate patients, who in turn share the campaign with their friends and social circles, turning personal connections into powerful tools to raise money for hospital needs.

This hospital fundraising initiative was an overwhelming success, with thousands of donors coming together to not only meet the original goal but also surpass it with a bonus goal, raising a total of almost $4.5 million AUD.

Challenges of Embarking on a Hospital Crowdfunding Campaign

In the noble pursuit of saving lives, hospitals often face a challenging transition when considering crowdfunding. Their primary mission is to provide selfless care, and raising money for hospital needs introduces a new, complex dimension. For many hospitals, the shift from caring for patients to asking those same patients for support can be intimidating and uncomfortable.

Hospitals, driven by a commitment to healing and wellness, focus exclusively on offering compassionate care to patients. They rarely, if ever, view these patients as potential donors. The idea of approaching individuals they've helped in critical situations to raise money for hospital initiatives is out of their comfort zone.

Turning to patients and their families for their sole support would not be effective. Patients and their families, having faced substantial medical expenses, are generally not in a position to make large donations. Charidy, however, has pioneered a solution that harnesses the power of these very individuals to drive successful hospital crowdfunding campaigns, not through significant monetary contributions of their own, but through their influence and connections.

saving lives

Raising Money for

  • Purchasing lifesaving equipment
  • Researching childhood diseases
  • Delivering vital services to patients and families
hospital crowdfunding campaign results
Original Goal:
A$4,000,000 aud
Bonus Goal:
A$4,430,000
Total Raised:

A$4,436,369

(110% of original goal)

Number of Donors:
3737

Solution: How Charidy Develops Successful Hospital Crowdfunding Campaigns

Charidy's approach is truly transformative, in that it turns patients and their families into ambassadors who care deeply about the hospital's mission. Patients and families become more than beneficiaries; they become partners and advocates, spreading the campaign to their contacts.

This transition from selflessly saving lives to asking patients and families for support by spreading the campaign to their contacts requires a huge mindset shift on behalf of the hospital. Once they were able to make that transition, Sydney Children’s Hospital was able to tap into a broader community of supporters. Each donation, even if not large, became a catalyst for spreading the campaign further.

The power of crowdfunding lies in leveraging personal connections. People donate to people, not just causes. When someone they know and trust asks them to contribute, they are more likely to respond positively. Working with a network of supporters who care about the cause and are willing to spread the word is instrumental in amplifying the reach of the campaign and ultimately achieving the fundraising goals.

Here are several targeted strategies that Charidy employed to elevate the campaign.

  • Emotional Sensitivity: Charidy's approach to hospital fundraising recognized the delicate balance that must be maintained between the urgency to raise funds and the genuine intention to assist patients. The primary concern here was to convey the need for financial support without undermining or commercializing the pure intention of helping patients. Emotional sensitivity was at the forefront of Charidy's method. By deeply understanding the feelings and needs of both the patients and their families, Charidy helped craft communications that resonated with empathy and compassion, ensuring that the call for funds was never detached from the core mission of providing care and support.
  • Strategic Planning: Central to Charidy's strategy was the careful crafting of a compelling message that aligns with the hospital's values and ethos. This was not merely about seeking donations but about connecting with potential donors on a level that transcends mere financial transactions. By working closely with the hospital and understanding its mission, Charidy devised a strategy that spoke directly to those who shared the hospital's commitment to healthcare and well-being. The message was tailored to reflect the hospital's identity, creating a narrative that didn't just ask for support but invited participation.
  • Community Engagement: The success of a crowdfunding campaign is often determined by how well the community understands and engages with its purpose. Charidy's approach emphasized community engagement, ensuring that the wider community recognizes the importance and potential impact of the hospital's campaign. Through targeted outreach, informative content, and transparent communication, Charidy helped the community see how their support translates into real-world differences. This wasn't just about rallying financial support but about fostering a sense of collective responsibility, where each contribution was seen as a vital part of a larger mission to improve healthcare and change lives.

The transition from selflessly saving lives to asking for support to help others was indeed a huge mindset shift for hospitals. But in embracing this shift, they discovered a new way to engage with their community and achieve their mission, surpassing the reach of what traditional fundraising for research would have been able to accomplish. By getting comfortable asking their patient base to spread the campaign to their contacts, they were able to create a ripple effect that ensured the campaign's success.

Hospital Crowdfunding Campaign Results

Results at a Glance:
  • Number of Donors: An impressive 3,737 individuals came together to support the cause.
  • Original Goal: Initially set at $4,000,000 AUD, a mark that was not only reached but surpassed.
  • Bonus Goal: Encouraged by the overwhelming support, a bonus goal of $4,430,000 AUD was set and achieved.
  • Total Amount Raised: An astounding $4,436,369 was raised, demonstrating the power of community-driven support.
Impact of the Funding
  • Purchasing Lifesaving Equipment: Enhancing the quality of care and ensuring the best possible outcomes.
  • Conducting Research into Childhood Diseases: Investing in the future by deepening our understanding and developing new treatments.
  • Delivering Vital Services for Patients and Families: Expanding support networks and providing essential services tailored to individual needs.

A Remarkable Success in Crowdfunding for Healthcare

Charidy's innovative approach to hospital crowdfunding breaks down traditional barriers and misconceptions. By focusing on relationships and personal engagement, they have succeeded in turning those typically seen as unable to contribute into powerful advocates for raising money for hospital. The true success of a hospital crowdfunding campaign, as Charidy demonstrates, relies not on large donations but on the connections and doors that individuals can open.