Strategic partnership • Project management • Organizational assessment and capacity-building • Philanthropic alignment and positioning study • Prospect development and solicitation support
Partners Hope Foundation (PHF)—began as the vision of a small group of committed community members who believed Missoula, MT, deserved a dedicated hospice facility rooted in dignity, comfort, and compassionate care. In 2017, PHF’s founders approached CMA Philanthropy to explore whether—and how—this ambitious vision could become a reality.
PHF was a newly formed 501(c)(3), created solely to raise the funds to build and oversee a new hospice facility. With no established donor base and the cost of constructing a specialized medical facility, the early questions were significant: Could a volunteer-led organization raise this level of support? Would the community embrace the need? Were transformational lead gifts possible in Missoula?
Over the next several years, CMA partnered closely with PHF to build the internal structure and campaign readiness required for an effort of this scale. At the same time, CMA and PHF—alongside our marketing and communications partner—worked to raise awareness, build community understanding, and grow a philanthropic constituency around the project.
In 2020, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, CMA led an external Positioning Study to assess philanthropic readiness and determine community support. Following a strong response and a recommendation to proceed, attention turned to securing a site for the facility. A generous supporter stepped forward with a gift of land, and with key organizational infrastructure in place, the campaign entered its quiet phase.
In June 2025, Hope Hospice Center opened its doors and began serving patients and families as the founders had envisioned. By September 2025, the campaign successfully secured its final commitments—raising $15.4 million in philanthropic support, fully funding the facility debt-free.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with Curt Miner and CMA Philanthropy on two separate fundraising campaigns and I can say without hesitation that Curt’s counsel is exceptional. He brings deep experience, sharp strategic thinking, and a rare understanding of what it takes to build meaningful philanthropic support.
What I value most is how Curt shows up as a true partner — taking the time to understand our organization, listening carefully, and then offering guidance that is both highly informed and immediately practical. From early planning and campaign strategy to messaging, donor engagement, and navigating key decisions along the way, Curt provided steady leadership and thoughtful direction at every level.
In each of our campaigns, we met or exceeded our fundraising goals, and we remain genuinely grateful for Curt’s insight, professionalism, and the lasting impact of his work.”
Hope Hospice Center: hopehospicecenter.org
Marketing & Communications Partner
Lori Warden, Upward Public Relations: upwardpr.com
