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Foundations Providing Emergency Loans to FQHCs

April 27, 2020 | 1:00 - 2:00 pm Eastern

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other safety net providers are playing a vital role in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While these community-based providers are screening, triaging, and testing patients exposed to the virus—as well as continuing to deliver regular primary care—drastic revenue losses threaten their ability to sustain operations. As the resources of the safety net are being strained like never before, FQHCs are in need of continuing and additional support from philanthropy. During this time of creative and flexible grantmaking, funders are considering working with community development financial institutions to advance capital through low-interest to no-interest loans in order to help providers weather the economic disruptions caused by the pandemic. This strategy can also be adapted to support upstream providers of essential health-promoting services. Participants learned more about loans and how foundations are engaging in this approach. Speakers included Gil Alvarado of Sierra Health Foundation, Pablo Bravo of Common Spirit Health, Elena Marks of Episcopal Health Foundation, and Lisa Richter of Avivar Capital.