Jersey Community Hospital Foundation expands care for a growing community

Learn how the Jersey Community Hospital Foundation is on-track for $5.2MM.

Jersey Community Hospital (JCH) serves residents of Jersey, Calhoun, Greene, and Madison Counties in Illinois. Owned by the people of Jersey County, JCH provides people-focused primary care-plus while stressing preventative services and public accountability. With nearly 50,000 people in its service area, the hospital plays a vital role in ensuring quality healthcare is available close to home.

The Challenge:

In 2018, as part of their strategic plan, the hospital wanted to address mounting pressure from overcrowding and a shortage of specialty services. Patients often traveled outside the region for care that could — and should — be available locally. The hospital’s leadership envisioned a 30,000-square-foot addition to relieve crowding, expand surgical recovery space, and attract new providers to increase specialty offerings.

The initial working goal was $2 million, an ambitious target compared to how much they had ever raised and for a small community where nearly everyone has a personal connection to the hospital.

“We were at a critical crossroads. Our community is asking for more specialized care, and we have outstanding physicians interested in joining us — but we have nowhere to put them. Without expanding our facility, we simply can’t grow or improve the care we offer. That’s why launching a capital campaign wasn’t just a goal — it was a necessity. By inviting our community to join us, we can lift the financial burden and ensure that high-quality care stays accessible, close to home.”

Charity Roth, Executive Director

The Solution:

Under the guidance of Xan Blake, the Foundation launched a Guided Feasibility Study that confirmed both the urgency of the project and the potential for strong philanthropic support. They began to dream bigger with the encouragement of Xan, and ultimately tested a $5MM goal.

The study process was marked by:

• Exceptional collaboration between the Foundation and hospital leadership
• Active participation from both board chairs, including direct involvement in donor interviews
• Tireless work by Charity Roth to identify and cultivate new donors

The feasibility study even uncovered a potential $1 million lead donor, whose generosity inspired a creative approach to motivating others.

“We created a challenge component thanks to their lead donor saying they wanted to ‘help inspire gifts.’ It helped some people really elevate their giving.”

Xan Blake, Senior Campaign Advisor

This match strategy created urgency and excitement — with many donors choosing to name spaces in honor of parents or siblings who had worked at the hospital.

“In our community, family legacy and honoring our roots hold deep meaning. By offering a matching challenge as a tribute opportunity, we inspired donors to elevate their giving. One remarkable example was a local farming family who united 19 children and grandchildren to make a collective gift — securing a naming opportunity that honors their hardworking parents and grandparents for generations to come. Though their means were different, the generosity of the leadership gift family helped elevate the opportunity for the other family — allowing both to honor the remarkable legacy of their parents and celebrate the values that shaped their families.”

Charity Roth, Executive Director

The Impact:

Thanks to community generosity, strong board-staff collaboration, and innovative donor engagement, the campaign’s goal was raised from $5 million to $5.2 million. The project will deliver:

• Expanded surgical recovery space to improve patient comfort and care
• Additional capacity for specialty providers, reducing the need for patients to travel
• A modernized facility designed to meet the region’s growing healthcare needs

“Charity, Beth, Randy, Susan and Michelle have really demonstrated what a strong board-staff collaboration looks like. Each one of these people have been generous with their time and expertise during the guided feasibility phase. Due to their efforts, a goal that once seemed like a real stretch is coming into focus. Their community will benefit tremendously from their focus and dedication.”

Xan Blake, Senior Campaign Advisor

The public phase of the campaign is now focused on deepening relationships with mid-level and grassroots donors. The team is actively engaging members, offering town halls, and leveraging strong volunteer support to widen the circle of participation.

“As the first campaign of this scale for JCH, I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. This effort represents more than just fundraising—it reflects the potential to develop a powerful partnership between the Foundation and our community. Together, we’ve secured resources needed to grow our campus and make a lasting impact on patient care. I hold deep admiration for every individual who stepped forward to give, and for the dedicated volunteers and leaders who invested countless hours to guide this campaign. Their commitment has laid a strong foundation for the future of healthcare in our region and I am honored to have been a part of it.”

Charity Roth, Executive Director

The Jersey Community Hospital Foundation’s campaign proves that even in smaller communities, big dreams are possible — especially when those dreams are shared, personal, and built on a foundation of trust.