My post on Monday illustrated the value of nonprofit healthcare by adapting from the NKC Community Benefits statement the top 10 reasons the Northwest Kidney Centers brings value to our region and the world. They are able to bring this value because as a nonprofit NKC keeps the funding it receives in the community, tending to the community's kidney health. This funding includes the fruits from the work of 525 dedicated and efficient staff, and direct support NKC receives from the community.
The Northwest Kidney Centers Foundation (NKCF) receives gifts on behalf of Northwest Kidney Centers and all of its 12 community dialysis centers. NKC uses gifts to the Northwest Kidney Centers Foundation to improve the community's kidney health e.g. services to improve the lives of dialysis patients, CKD education and outreach, kidney research. Donors to the Foundation are making investments to support the Center's Mission: to promote the optimal health, quality of life and independence of people with kidney disease, through patient care, education and research.
This direct support is a good measure of how the community views the organization. Those closest to the organizations, the NKC and NKCF Boards, are to a person NKCF donors. It has been my observation over the last ten years that it is those closest to the organization and those who understand the alternative, that are NKCF's most dedicated supporters.
Donations raised by NKCF provide vital funding for NKC and our community benefits. NKC actively seeks private, corporate, and public support from individuals, companies, government and foundations. An annual Breakfast of Hope raises funds directly and informs the community about Chronic Kidney Disease, NKC and the power of community support. Over 400 volunteers regularly participate in our programs and 2600 donors give gifts each year. NKC can live its nonprofit mission because of this support and philanthropy.
NKC trained many of the region and nation’s nephrologists in our Dialysis Academy. As well, a great number of the region’s dialysis staff were educated in the Academy. 525 staff dedicate their careers at NKC today. Staff turnover, especially of RNs, is exceptionally low. We are making sure the best trained and most skilled renal professionals are available to care for kidney patients because this is the key to quality care and service. NKCF supports our Dialysis Academy.
Many research advances in our field began at NKC including out of hospital outpatient hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, home dialysis, new home daily dialysis machines, and the first clinical trials of Amgen’s drug for anemia, Epogen. Research adds knowledge and changes practice. Most importantly, research provides hope to everyone with kidney disease that there will be a better tomorrow. We are committed to bringing innovation to our field through our Kidney Research Institute, a partnership with the University of Washington. NKCF continues to raise funds to support the UW/NKC Kidney Research Institute.
NKC collaborates with public health services, hospitals, payers, and
health systems. We partner with county, state and national
organizations to plan for natural and pandemic emergencies.
Communication and collaboration creates a better continuum of care for
kidney patients. NKCF supports the cost of our volunteers participating in these activities.
NKC is active at the State and National levels to promote legislative and regulatory changes to advance care for kidney patients. We are one of the only non-profit dialysis organizations active at these levels and speak for the smaller, independent providers so lawmakers hear and respect our perspective on behalf of the people we serve. NKCF supports the cost of engaging with these national renal advocacy organizations.
NKC has a high national and international profile, disproportionate to our size. We’ve been around longer than any other dialysis provider in the world and remain a vital community resource. We are here for all aspects of kidney disease- from prevention to treatment. NKCF funds NKC outreach events and the dissemination of knowledge in Washington state and throughout the kidney world.
NKC's nonprofit status allows there to be a Foundation. The Foundation connects healthcare to the community in a way other than through direct services. It gives the community a direct voice in how to improve the community's kidney health and the lives of those with severe kidney disease. Without the efforts of a dedicated nonprofit this work couldn't be done because the community would have no vehicle to direct their support.
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