Case Studies

HealthWell Foundation

Guiding the strategic planning process of a leading nonprofit focused on healthcare access.

Background: The HealthWell Foundation is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving access to care for America’s underinsured. When personal health insurance is insufficient, HealthWell fills the gap, ensuring that no patient goes without healthcare because of cost.

The Grayscale team was selected to develop the organization’s 2020-2022 strategic plan. We employed a strategic planning approach that included robust, original qualitative research, a SWOT analysis to obtain a cross-sectional understanding of HealthWell’s priorities and potential future directions, and scenario planning exercises.

The resulting plan included areas of prioritized focus, goals, strategies and outcomes. The plan provided a roadmap for enhanced revenue generation and reputation, and the continuation of services needed by the tens of thousands of patients who depend on HealthWell to afford their care.

The plan, completed in 2019, was soon enough put to the test. During the plan’s first year, the Board reported that the plan’s strategies led to increased revenue during a time when many nonprofits struggled through tumultuous 2020 and the COVID-19 crisis.