We've detected that Javascript is not enabled. It is required for an optimal survey taking experience.
Please check your browser's settings and make sure Javascript is turned on. Learn how to enable Javascript.

Skip survey header

Building The Ideal Foundation Board

Thank you for taking this five-minute survey on foundation board leadership. This survey seeks your insights on the qualities and characteristics important in selecting 1) all foundation board members and 2) the board chair in particular. Your input will be used to help shape an educational article being developed for the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy's Healthcare Philanthropy Journal. All those who respond will receive a copy of the results of this survey if you include your email address below.
Thank you in advance for your valuable insights,
Betsy Chapin Taylor, FAHP

1. Volunteer board members provide leadership to the healthcare foundation board or healthcare development office. However, board roles are changing as the financial landscape for hospitals is changing, and more is being demanded of philanthropy. What qualities do you feel progressive, successful boards should proactively seek in their board members? Please rank or add to the following list.

In terms of the desirable qualities of foundation board members, please rank the items below
1. CRITICAL: essential, must-haves that are non-negotiable for a board chair
2. VALUABLE: important qualities that should be actively sought but are not a "deal breaker"
3. NICE: qualities that are nice to have but would not make your "Top Ten" list of things to seek
4. NOT IMPORTANT

Space Cell	Essential	Valuable	Nice	Not Important
Ability to help advance current strategic plan	Ability to help advance current strategic plan : Essential	Ability to help advance current strategic plan : Valuable	Ability to help advance current strategic plan : Nice	Ability to help advance current strategic plan : Not Important
Professional Demeanor	Professional Demeanor: Essential	Professional Demeanor: Valuable	Professional Demeanor: Nice	Professional Demeanor: Not Important
Inquisitive	Inquisitive: Essential	Inquisitive: Valuable	Inquisitive: Nice	Inquisitive: Not Important
Eagerness to participate	Eagerness to participate : Essential	Eagerness to participate : Valuable	Eagerness to participate : Nice	Eagerness to participate : Not Important
Communication Skills	Communication Skills: Essential	Communication Skills: Valuable	Communication Skills: Nice	Communication Skills: Not Important
Socially connected	Socially connected: Essential	Socially connected: Valuable	Socially connected: Nice	Socially connected: Not Important
Knowledge of healthcare	Knowledge of healthcare: Essential	Knowledge of healthcare: Valuable	Knowledge of healthcare: Nice	Knowledge of healthcare: Not Important
Willingness to give financially at a meaningful level	Willingness to give financially at a meaningful level : Essential	Willingness to give financially at a meaningful level : Valuable	Willingness to give financially at a meaningful level : Nice	Willingness to give financially at a meaningful level : Not Important
Diplomatic	Diplomatic: Essential	Diplomatic: Valuable	Diplomatic: Nice	Diplomatic: Not Important
Has a Pulse on the Community	Has a Pulse on the Community: Essential	Has a Pulse on the Community: Valuable	Has a Pulse on the Community: Nice	Has a Pulse on the Community: Not Important
Business Experience	Business Experience: Essential	Business Experience: Valuable	Business Experience: Nice	Business Experience: Not Important
Influential	Influential: Essential	Influential: Valuable	Influential: Nice	Influential: Not Important
Civic or Business Leadership Experience	Civic or Business Leadership Experience: Essential	Civic or Business Leadership Experience: Valuable	Civic or Business Leadership Experience: Nice	Civic or Business Leadership Experience: Not Important
Has Stature & Respect in Community	Has Stature & Respect in Community: Essential	Has Stature & Respect in Community: Valuable	Has Stature & Respect in Community: Nice	Has Stature & Respect in Community: Not Important
Insightful / Brings Perspective	Insightful / Brings Perspective : Essential	Insightful / Brings Perspective : Valuable	Insightful / Brings Perspective : Nice	Insightful / Brings Perspective : Not Important
Has used healthcare facility	Has used healthcare facility : Essential	Has used healthcare facility : Valuable	Has used healthcare facility : Nice	Has used healthcare facility : Not Important
Dependable	Dependable: Essential	Dependable: Valuable	Dependable: Nice	Dependable: Not Important
Take Charge Attitude	Take Charge Attitude: Essential	Take Charge Attitude: Valuable	Take Charge Attitude: Nice	Take Charge Attitude: Not Important
Enthusiastic	Enthusiastic: Essential	Enthusiastic: Valuable	Enthusiastic: Nice	Enthusiastic: Not Important
Past history of giving to the organization	Past history of giving to the organization: Essential	Past history of giving to the organization: Valuable	Past history of giving to the organization: Nice	Past history of giving to the organization: Not Important
Strategic	Strategic: Essential	Strategic: Valuable	Strategic: Nice	Strategic: Not Important
Mission-Driven	Mission-Driven : Essential	Mission-Driven : Valuable	Mission-Driven : Nice	Mission-Driven : Not Important
Leadership Potential	Leadership Potential: Essential	Leadership Potential: Valuable	Leadership Potential: Nice	Leadership Potential: Not Important
Connected to Those with Wealth	Connected to Those with Wealth: Essential	Connected to Those with Wealth: Valuable	Connected to Those with Wealth: Nice	Connected to Those with Wealth: Not Important
Impeccable Integrity	Impeccable Integrity: Essential	Impeccable Integrity: Valuable	Impeccable Integrity: Nice	Impeccable Integrity: Not Important
Healthcare Industry Knowledge	Healthcare Industry Knowledge: Essential	Healthcare Industry Knowledge: Valuable	Healthcare Industry Knowledge: Nice	Healthcare Industry Knowledge: Not Important
Past nonprofit board experience	Past nonprofit board experience : Essential	Past nonprofit board experience : Valuable	Past nonprofit board experience : Nice	Past nonprofit board experience : Not Important
Wealthy	Wealthy: Essential	Wealthy: Valuable	Wealthy: Nice	Wealthy: Not Important
Passion for mission	Passion for mission : Essential	Passion for mission : Valuable	Passion for mission : Nice	Passion for mission : Not Important
Fun	Fun: Essential	Fun: Valuable	Fun: Nice	Fun: Not Important
Visionary	Visionary: Essential	Visionary: Valuable	Visionary: Nice	Visionary: Not Important
Understands Difference Between Governance and Management	Understands Difference Between Governance and Management: Essential	Understands Difference Between Governance and Management: Valuable	Understands Difference Between Governance and Management: Nice	Understands Difference Between Governance and Management: Not Important
Specific professional skills needed by organization	Specific professional skills needed by organization: Essential	Specific professional skills needed by organization: Valuable	Specific professional skills needed by organization: Nice	Specific professional skills needed by organization: Not Important
Prestigious Civic, Business or Social Position	Prestigious Civic, Business or Social Position: Essential	Prestigious Civic, Business or Social Position: Valuable	Prestigious Civic, Business or Social Position: Nice	Prestigious Civic, Business or Social Position: Not Important
Experience Making the Ask	Experience Making the Ask: Essential	Experience Making the Ask: Valuable	Experience Making the Ask: Nice	Experience Making the Ask: Not Important
Has a Personal Healthcare Story	Has a Personal Healthcare Story: Essential	Has a Personal Healthcare Story: Valuable	Has a Personal Healthcare Story: Nice	Has a Personal Healthcare Story: Not Important
Takes a Long-Term View of Things	Takes a Long-Term View of Things: Essential	Takes a Long-Term View of Things: Valuable	Takes a Long-Term View of Things: Nice	Takes a Long-Term View of Things: Not Important
Independent judgment	Independent judgment : Essential	Independent judgment : Valuable	Independent judgment : Nice	Independent judgment : Not Important
Strategic Thinker	Strategic Thinker: Essential	Strategic Thinker: Valuable	Strategic Thinker: Nice	Strategic Thinker: Not Important
Has Time / Availability to Participate	Has Time / Availability to Participate: Essential	Has Time / Availability to Participate: Valuable	Has Time / Availability to Participate: Nice	Has Time / Availability to Participate: Not Important
Trustworthiness	Trustworthiness: Essential	Trustworthiness: Valuable	Trustworthiness: Nice	Trustworthiness: Not Important
Collaborative	Collaborative : Essential	Collaborative : Valuable	Collaborative : Nice	Collaborative : Not Important
Open-Mindedness	Open-Mindedness: Essential	Open-Mindedness: Valuable	Open-Mindedness: Nice	Open-Mindedness: Not Important
Loyal to Organization	Loyal to Organization: Essential	Loyal to Organization: Valuable	Loyal to Organization: Nice	Loyal to Organization: Not Important
Fosters Diversity/Inclusiveness	Fosters Diversity/Inclusiveness: Essential	Fosters Diversity/Inclusiveness: Valuable	Fosters Diversity/Inclusiveness: Nice	Fosters Diversity/Inclusiveness: Not Important
Financial Acumen	Financial Acumen: Essential	Financial Acumen: Valuable	Financial Acumen: Nice	Financial Acumen: Not Important
Enter another option	Other: Essential	Other: Valuable	Other: Nice	Other: Not Important
Enter another option	Other: Essential	Other: Valuable	Other: Nice	Other: Not Important
Enter another option	Other: Essential	Other: Valuable	Other: Nice	Other: Not Important

2. The Foundation Board Chair (or Development Council Chair) can be a powerful ally for mission advancement as the volunteer leader of the foundation board. What do you believe are the most critical qualities or skill sets for this individual to provide the quality of leadership your organization needs and deserves? Please rank or add to the following list.

In terms of the qualities of board chairs, please rank the items below
1. CRITICAL: essential, must-haves that are non-negotiable for a board chair
2. VALUABLE: important qualities that should be actively sought but are not a "deal breaker"
3. NICE: qualities that are nice to have but would not make your "Top Ten" list of things to seek
4. NOT IMPORTANT

Space Cell	Critical	Valuable	Nice	Not Important
Dependable	Dependable: Critical	Dependable: Valuable	Dependable: Nice	Dependable: Not Important
Has a Pulse on the Community	Has a Pulse on the Community: Critical	Has a Pulse on the Community: Valuable	Has a Pulse on the Community: Nice	Has a Pulse on the Community: Not Important
Gives Financially at a Meaningful Level	Gives Financially at a Meaningful Level: Critical	Gives Financially at a Meaningful Level: Valuable	Gives Financially at a Meaningful Level: Nice	Gives Financially at a Meaningful Level: Not Important
Strong Communication Skills	Strong Communication Skills: Critical	Strong Communication Skills: Valuable	Strong Communication Skills: Nice	Strong Communication Skills: Not Important
Inquisitive	Inquisitive: Critical	Inquisitive: Valuable	Inquisitive: Nice	Inquisitive: Not Important
Loyalty to Organization	Loyalty to Organization: Critical	Loyalty to Organization: Valuable	Loyalty to Organization: Nice	Loyalty to Organization: Not Important
Professional Demeanor	Professional Demeanor: Critical	Professional Demeanor: Valuable	Professional Demeanor: Nice	Professional Demeanor: Not Important
Has Served in Prior Foundation Leadership Roles	Has Served in Prior Foundation Leadership Roles: Critical	Has Served in Prior Foundation Leadership Roles: Valuable	Has Served in Prior Foundation Leadership Roles: Nice	Has Served in Prior Foundation Leadership Roles: Not Important
Shares Mission with Personal/Professional Network	Shares Mission with Personal/Professional Network : Critical	Shares Mission with Personal/Professional Network : Valuable	Shares Mission with Personal/Professional Network : Nice	Shares Mission with Personal/Professional Network : Not Important
Diplomatic	Diplomatic: Critical	Diplomatic: Valuable	Diplomatic: Nice	Diplomatic: Not Important
Impeccable Integrity	Impeccable Integrity: Critical	Impeccable Integrity: Valuable	Impeccable Integrity: Nice	Impeccable Integrity: Not Important
Take Charge Attitude	Take Charge Attitude: Critical	Take Charge Attitude: Valuable	Take Charge Attitude: Nice	Take Charge Attitude: Not Important
Mission-Driven	Mission-Driven : Critical	Mission-Driven : Valuable	Mission-Driven : Nice	Mission-Driven : Not Important
Collaborative	Collaborative : Critical	Collaborative : Valuable	Collaborative : Nice	Collaborative : Not Important
Works Well with CDO	Works Well with CDO: Critical	Works Well with CDO: Valuable	Works Well with CDO: Nice	Works Well with CDO: Not Important
Takes a Long-Term View of Things	Takes a Long-Term View of Things: Critical	Takes a Long-Term View of Things: Valuable	Takes a Long-Term View of Things: Nice	Takes a Long-Term View of Things: Not Important
Fosters Diversity/Inclusiveness	Fosters Diversity/Inclusiveness: Critical	Fosters Diversity/Inclusiveness: Valuable	Fosters Diversity/Inclusiveness: Nice	Fosters Diversity/Inclusiveness: Not Important
Financial Acumen	Financial Acumen: Critical	Financial Acumen: Valuable	Financial Acumen: Nice	Financial Acumen: Not Important
Influential	Influential: Critical	Influential: Valuable	Influential: Nice	Influential: Not Important
Independent judgment	Independent judgment : Critical	Independent judgment : Valuable	Independent judgment : Nice	Independent judgment : Not Important
Has Stature & Respect in Community	Has Stature & Respect in Community: Critical	Has Stature & Respect in Community: Valuable	Has Stature & Respect in Community: Nice	Has Stature & Respect in Community: Not Important
Insightful / Brings Perspective	Insightful / Brings Perspective : Critical	Insightful / Brings Perspective : Valuable	Insightful / Brings Perspective : Nice	Insightful / Brings Perspective : Not Important
Strategic	Strategic: Critical	Strategic: Valuable	Strategic: Nice	Strategic: Not Important
Has Time / Availability to Participate	Has Time / Availability to Participate: Critical	Has Time / Availability to Participate: Valuable	Has Time / Availability to Participate: Nice	Has Time / Availability to Participate: Not Important
Strong Leadership Skills	Strong Leadership Skills: Critical	Strong Leadership Skills: Valuable	Strong Leadership Skills: Nice	Strong Leadership Skills: Not Important
Enter another option	Other: Critical	Other: Valuable	Other: Nice	Other: Not Important
Enter another option	Other: Critical	Other: Valuable	Other: Nice	Other: Not Important
Enter another option	Other: Critical	Other: Valuable	Other: Nice	Other: Not Important

3. What perspective are you coming from?

4. Please share any additional insights, comments, stories of excellent performance in your organization, etc.

5. Please share your email address if you wish to receive a copy of the results of this survey. Your email will not be used for any other purpose. This question requires a valid email address.