After a two-year hiatus, NorthBay Health Foundation is launching its re-envisioned structure and mission this fall, under the guidance of a new board of directors, and new NorthBay Health Foundation President Paul McGinty.

Given the post-pandemic crunch that nonprofit hospitals are facing around the country — with inflation, high labor costs and low reimbursement rates, NorthBay Health needs the community’s support now more than ever, and Paul believes there are many philanthropists here in Solano County who can come forward to make significant contributions toward sustaining an independent health system.

“There is the capacity in this community to accomplish this,” he said. “I believe that there are those who desire to be part of this transformation; to see themselves as donor/investors, and want to share ownership in taking philanthropy to the next level.”

Shortly after his arrival in March, he immediately went on a listening tour to get a good read on the pulse of the community.

“My first goal was to figure out the culture of philanthropy within and outside NorthBay, meeting with the management team, board members, physicians and nurse leaders, as well as community leaders, to hear their impressions of what philanthropy looks like.

“NorthBay is the home team for Solano County and what we’ve accomplished here — with competition on either side — that’s very rare for a community,” he added. “NorthBay provides ‘Big City’ care close to home. It’s also a 60-plus-year institution that has grown recently with only a modest reliance on community philanthropy.”

I believe that there are those who desire to be part of this transformation; to see themselves as donor/investors, and want to share ownership in taking philanthropy to the next level.”
Paul McGinty, NorthBay Health Foundation President

During the hiatus, four Foundation core leaders — Dennis Landis, Al Shaw, Bill Fell and Scott Reynolds — worked with CEO and President Konard Jones to create new bylaws, priorities and partnerships for future board members, Paul explained. “We are in the final stages of completing their work and have begun to recruit new members. The new board’s first task will be to envision a strategic plan for the next three to five years.”

Moving forward Paul envisions a newly constituted Foundation that embraces transformational, not transactional, philanthropy. Building a culture of giving in the community will mean NorthBay can bring in funding to support the capital budget that fuels NorthBay’s growth and development.

“There are donors here who want to do more,” he said. “They want to be the ones to help acquire better technol-ogy for the hospitals, to support the high-end services that our hospitals have been providing its residents.”

Paul believes the timing for the Foundation’s transformation is good.

“People are sick of COVID, they don’t want to meet virtually any more, they want to get out and participate, and do things for the collective good,” he said.

He promises that the NorthBay Guild will make its return, as will the NorthBay Wine, Brew & Food Jubilee, a “reimagined” Open that Bottle Night for top donors and perhaps the Guild Golf Tournament, in 2023.

There’s lots of work to be done, but Paul is up for the task. “I’m energized, excited, and ready.”