10 Lessons in Organizational Transformation
CHC: Creating Healthier Communities has undergone a thoughtful and strategic transition in recent years.
A new independent case study details CHC's successful evolution to a health equity organization, including diversifying fundraising and a multi-year, methodical approach.
Changes in workplace giving prompt a need to reexamine and evolve
In 1957, CHC: Creating Healthier Communities
(then Community Health Charities) was founded as a membership organization so that federal and
private-sector employees could contribute to
its member charities.
Workplace giving has experienced dramatic shifts in recent years. While CHC remains committed to raising funds for partner charities, the need to find evolving ways to remain committed to a health and wellness mission has emerged.
Today, CHC's focus is health equity, addressing underlying issues and removing barriers so everyone can thrive.
Thomas G. Bognanno, CHC President and CEO
"With many nonprofits, there’s a strong and understandable need for self-perpetuation. But once we made the decision that self-perpetuation was not our mission, the board had the freedom to examine the mission"
Charleeda Redman, CHC Board of Directors
“CHC had always worked to drive resources to organizations that were fighting the toughest health challenges. To have a more substantial impact, CHC would now leverage its resources and partnerships to advance health equity.”
WATCH: What CHC's Story Tells Us About Strategic Evolution
BBB Wise Giving Alliance (BBB’s Give.org) is a standards-based charity evaluator that seeks to verify the trustworthiness of publicly-soliciting charities by completing rigorous evaluations based on 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.
The case study features 10 lessons in organizational transformation around five themes: renovating identify, keeping a long-term view while advancing methodically, collaborating, integrating diverse communities and building trust.
In just a short time, CHC went from a few hundred thousand dollars in health equity programs to tens of millions, successfully diversifying the organization’s work, impact, staff expertise, partners and funding.
Seek Mission Clarity
Take Stock of Your Capabilities
Mind the Long Term
Take a Methodical Approach
Networks Are Superpowers
Consider the Reciprocity Advantage
Ask Yourself Whether Your Work Is Inclusive
Seek and Share Board Representation
Remember, Partnerships Are Not Transactions
Stay Honest and Transparent
CHC Board of Directors
“We were servants of the mission. We understood what was at stake and we had a vision of where we wanted to be -- health equity and underserved communities – we had the destination but there was no map.”
Kevin Clayton
SVP and Head of Social Impact
Cleveland Cavaliers
“It’s not enough to have a few healthy people in a sick community. What I love about CHC: Creating Healthier Communities is that we’re not only in the community but we’re helping to resolve some of the major challenges that exist in the community. We have connections in so many communities across the nation.”
Sandra Nichols
SVP and CMO for Health Inclusion and Community Engagement
UnitedHealth Group
“The journey that we’ve gone on has been significant and is important. Moving from a definition of health as chronic illness to the underlying causes of illness was perhaps the most important decision made during the transformation. It was the biggest step because it put us on a different path.”
Adam Rothschild
Investor and Consultant
