Philanthropy at DAP Health Words by June Allan Corrigan When fundraising veteran Chris Kiser joined DAP Health last June, he wasted no time putting his stamp on the nonprofit, rebranding his division. “I wanted to modernize the name to have it better reflect how it fulfills our mission,” he explains. Resource Development was thus reborn as the Philanthropy Department. Chief Philanthropy Ocer Kiser is now ready to launch the community health center’s first-ever estate giving program. The initiative comes at a pivotal moment, as the nation is in the midst of the largest transfer of wealth from one generation to the next. “A formal program like this — coupled with the generosity of our longtime, generous benefactors and hopefully new donors drawn to the estate planning process — will definitely provide a lift to our fundraising eorts,” he notes. But even the most visionary programs depend on a team eort for their success, and Kiser is quick to credit his colleagues. Topmost among them is Director of Philanthropy Matt Swearman, whose primary focus is cultivating the donor experience. His signature Impact Hour tours have become an inspiring way to connect people to the heart of DAP Health. “Impact Hours aren’t so much a tour of our facility, as they are a tour of our mission,” Swearman explains. They unfold in the following manner: Ambassadors eager to share why they support DAP Health invite 10 to 15 guests. At each of three stops at DAP Health Sunrise in Palm Springs — behavioral health, women’s health, and LGBTQ and HIV specialty care — guests hear moving stories of resilience from people whose lives have been transformed by services received. Both Kiser and Swearman are also proud to champion DAP Health’s current capital campaigns designed to bring lasting benefits to the community. These include a new women’s health clinic at its Sunrise location (which will broaden vital OB-GYN services in the Greater Palm Springs area) alongside a new sexual wellness clinic (modeled after successful DAP Health centers in Palm Springs, Cathedral City, and Indio), which is slated to open in Oceanside in San Diego County later this year. Of course, DAP Health’s newly reinvigorated Philanthropy Department will continue to steward major donor programs such as Partners for Life and Partners Forever while cultivating sponsorships for events such as The Chase, one of the region’s most anticipated annual fundraising galas. This year, the star-studded aair occurs earlier than it historically has. It will be held Saturday, February 21, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, honoring activist Lisa Middleton with DAP Health’s Community Service Award. The legendary Temptations are the headline entertainers. Get your tickets now at DAPHealth.org/thechase. Through it all, Kiser, Swearman, and team remain committed to DAP Health’s essential mission: to provide comprehensive health care and support services where all people are seen, heard, and armed. “Everybody can make a dierence,” concludes Kiser. “All too often you hear about billionaires donating millions, but everybody is a potential philanthropist. Whether it’s hundreds of dollars or many thousands, it will directly improve health care oered in our own backyard.” Chief Philanthropy Ocer Chris Kiser photographed by Brandon Harman. Director of Philanthropy Matt Swearman photographed by Demarcus O’Dell. CEO David Brinkman pays tribute to DAP Health patient-turned-team member Maria Elias (on video screen) at the 2025 Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards. Photo by Lani Garfield.
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