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Bayfront-St. Anthony's Health Care Foundation formed after the hospitals joined BayCare. Each will have its own foundation.
By LENNIE BENNETT
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 4, 2001
ST. PETERSBURG -- Like the medical facilities it served, Bayfront-St. Anthony's Health Care Foundation has decided to separate.
The foundation was formed about two years ago, merging staff and splitting expenses, and mirrored the consolidation of services between Bayfront Medical Center and St. Anthony's Hospital when both joined BayCare. The idea was to share fundraising efforts, by combining the hospitals' two fall galas into one, for example.
But the merger was never seamless. Both Bayfront Medical Center and St. Anthony's Hospital kept their own foundation boards, though they met jointly. The women's auxiliaries that provided volunteers remained separate. And in most cases, funds were not divided equally because most donors specified one hospital or another as a beneficiary.
"The reality was the foundations were never merged legally," said Ford Kyes, CEO of St. Anthony's Hospital. "We tried to project the image of being together, but most people continued to designate one hospital or the other. We always want to be respectful of people's intent."
When Bayfront Medical Center was asked to leave the BayCare consortium several months ago, foundation leaders said they wanted to keep the foundation intact and continue to share staff and fundraising efforts.
Several weeks ago, leaders of St. Anthony's Hospital decided the arrangement was not in their best interests.
"It's a little disappointing," said Sue Brody, president of Bayfront. "We were able to do more with a larger staff that were specialized."
Emily Benham, who led the foundation, will continue as vice president of development of Bayfront Health Foundation. St. Anthony's is advertising for an executive director for its foundation. The process of divvying up assets and staff is now under way and should be completed by the end of the month, Benham said.
Benham said the foundation raised about $2-million last year through special events that included the gala, a golf tournament and a wine-tasting and auction, as well as a planned giving program. She did not have specific numbers but said Bayfront would get more than St. Anthony's.
"Expenses were 50-50," she said. "But donations were not. Donations went where the donors decided they would go."
"I think it's a good thing," said Greta Myers, president of St. Anthony's Auxiliary.
Edie Spies, president of Bayfront Medical Auxiliary, agreed. "I don't think it would have worked as one foundation after the hospitals split up."
All parties say the separation is cordial, but Benham said, "I think we will end up competing more on fundraising."
When the two hospitals held separate galas, Benham said, "Bayfront usually raised between $40,000 and $50,000, and St. Anthony's raised between $30,000 and $40,000. This year, our combined gala raised $126,000."
Bayfront plans to continue the fundraisers on its own, she said, including a dinner and dance at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort on Sept. 28.
St. Anthony's leaders are less sure about the direction their foundation will take.
"The annual gala is what people know about," Kyes said. "Planned giving represents a larger portion. The main thing is to get executive leadership and reassess our needs."
"For some organizations," said Mrs. Myers, "galas are the major fundraisers. For our auxiliary, it's our gift shop. The St. Anthony's Gift Shop makes $100,000. I don't know if we'll have a gala or not. Maybe there are enough galas already."
Benham and Ford say that no decisions have been made about foundation employees, but they believe all will have the opportunity to join one of the two foundations.
Kyes said he has had "35 or 40 responses" to an ad he placed for an executive director, "but I promised not to make any decision until after she (Benham) has announced her new structure, so anyone who is displaced would have the option of being considered here."
"Nobody wanted it to end up this way," Benham said. "But now everyone can go forward and support the hospital they love."