Planned Parenthood Capital Campaign Shatters Goal

Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan (PPWNM) announces the successful completion of its capital campaign, Standing Tall, with over $4 million raised! Planning for the campaign began in 2011 and the quiet phase kicked off in July 2012. Standing Tall went public in September 2012, with $2.5 million in lead donations already raised. At that time, a $3 million goal was announced.

"We were blown away by the level of interest, and the generosity, of our donors," said Standing Tall Co-chair Rev. Doug Van Doren, Pastor of Plymouth United Church of Christ. "Before we knew it, we were raising our goal to four million dollars and then surpassing even that! We just can't thank our community of supporters enough."

In addition to an annual campaign which raises $1.1 million for operations at PPWNM's eight health centers, the Standing Tall campaign was created to raise money for three critical special needs — facility renovations, technology upgrades, and endowment fund:

• Four PPWNM-owned properties are receiving upgrades and renovations totaling $2.3 million. The building at 425 Cherry Street SE, in Grand Rapids, which houses the Irwin/Martin Health Center and PPWNM administrative and education services, is undergoing a $2 million, top-to-bottom overhaul. Health centers in Marquette, Petoskey, and Traverse City are receiving smaller-scale remodels totaling $300,000. Ribbon cuttings celebrating the finished results are expected to take place later in 2014.

• Technology upgrades, including a new electronic patient record and practice management system, align PPWNM with federal and state requirements, provide better quality care for our clients, and offer increased connectivity with other health providers and insurers. PPWNM is currently in phase two of a three-phase overhaul, which is projected to cost $1 million.

• The capital campaign is also funding a $1 million addition to the PPWNM endowment fund to help ensure a strong future for the agency and continued care for those who depend on its services.

"This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our donors to shape the future of Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan," said PPWNM President/CEO Kathy Humphrey. "With the enormous changes taking place in health care, PPWNM is positioned as an essential provider within the new system, prepared to meet the sexual health needs of all people in the communities that we serve. Whether they have private health insurance or a new marketplace plan, Medicaid, the Healthy Michigan Plan, or no coverage at all we pledge to care, no matter what."

During the campaign, lead donors came forward in Ionia and Traverse City. PPWNM's Ionia Health Center was renamed the Lemmen Health Center in honor of a leadership gift from Grand Rapids-area philanthropist Harvey Lemmen, originally of Ionia. The Planned Parenthood in Traverse City is now known as the Karen Christensen Walker Health Center in honor of a major gift from Edward C. and Karen C. Walker and family, of Traverse City.

"We are very grateful to these and other generous lead donors who stepped forward in this campaign," said Standing Tall Co-chair Betsy Calcutt of Traverse City. "They paved the way for us to reach out to our broader base of supporters who answered the call to help us make substantial changes that are already benefitting our clients and communities."

To date, 29 commitments have been made to the Standing Tall campaign, totaling $4.1 million.

While the special campaign has officially come to a close, those wishing to donate to PPWNM's annual fund should contact the development department by phone at (616) 774-7005 or by e-mail at [email protected].