At a pivotal moment for the donation community, Gift of Life Institute is now home to the National Community Partnership for Donation and Transplant Growth (NCPG). The NCPG grew out of the OPTN’s Expeditious Task Force and will apply the same proven methodology to align donation and transplant advancements. We aim to reignite national progress through improved partnerships with clinical leaders and hospital C-Suites, and shared high-performance practices.

A Movement at a Critical Inflection Point
The donation community is at a crossroads. Recent data reveals a challenging landscape for 2026:

• Stalled Growth: Overall donation rates saw their first decline in 10 years.
• Declining Trends: Brain death donations decreased 19% in two years, while median donor age continues to rise.
• Complex Climate: Strained professional relationships and public misinformation are impacting donor registration.

While federal oversight remains centered on policy compliance, the NCPG is prioritizing action and measurable growth to counter these regulatory headwinds.

Working with Dennis Wagner of Yes and Leadership, Chris Zinner of Accenture, and a team of transplant and donation leaders, the Institute is scaling proven growth models to include a dedicated focus on donation.

A Foundation for Expansion
Between 2024 and 2025, the NCPG engaged over 800 professionals across 32 states. The impact was immediate: participating transplant centers saw up to 12% year-over-year growth in deceased donor transplants within just six months. These results provide a powerful foundation as we scale our efforts nationwide.

A Call to Action for OPOs
This partnership cuts through regulatory scrutiny and misinformation to focus on what matters most: saving more lives. By combining grassroots energy with structured follow-through, we prove that bold growth is achievable.

The methodology is proven and the leadership is engaged. Now is the time to grow.

Host an Event: Organizations interested in hosting a 2026 Growth Collaboration event should contact Theresa A. Daly at ncpg@giftoflifeinstitute.org.