Philanthropy is more than a funding source — it’s a lifeline of hope, vision and transformation for hospitals and the communities they serve. In this first episode of a four-part series with the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), Alice Ayres, president and CEO of the AHP, discusses how philanthropy is no longer just an add-on, but a strategic driver for hospitals and health systems.  Alice also shares how integrating philanthropy into the C-suite unlocks new funding pathways, strengthens community trust, and fuels innovation in patient care and workforce support.