To say that 2005 was a record-breaking year for Alta Bates Summit Foundation fundraising is like calling the Pulitzer a “nice honor” or the Nobel Peace Prize a “fine award.” The accolades are true enough but don’t come close to capturing the magnitude of the achievement. Just ask Linda Peltz, Foundation Chair.

“In round numbers, our past years’ fundraising averaged about $8 million to $10 million. In 2005, we brought in $15.8 million. We learned that not only are the resources of the community vast, but that the generosity of the community is even greater,” says Peltz. “2005 was the critical year for the Centennial Campaign for Excellence, which is our most ambitious campaign to date. We asked the community to respond to the needs of their community hospital, and they did in historic fashion. Our own employees also contributed more than double the amount they’ve ever given to any previous campaign.

“People have shown that they have trust and confidence in their Medical Center as being a top-flight facility with a compelling need worthy of their support,” Peltz emphasizes. Current fundraising successes “are also a road map,” she adds, “for where we’ll need to go in the future.”