Mary Black Foundation (Spartanburg, SC)
Mary Black Foundation is excited to be a part of the community-led effort to establish a full-service grocery store in the City of Spartanburg, South Carolina’s Southside neighborhood. Providing $900,000 in loans to make this grocery store a reality is just one example of how the foundation is investing for impact.
To read more about the new grocery store and the foundation’s impact investment strategy, click here.
Contact: 864.573.9500.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation (Detroit, MI)
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation recently awarded nine community matching grants to the following organizations:
- Affinity Mentoring—to teach social emotional learning skills to middle school children to improve health equity and reduce the impact of adverse childhood experiences. ($33,000)
- LifeLab Kids Foundation—to provide physical and mental health, nutrition, speech, and life skill programs to autistic youth to prevent and reduce the incidence of chronic diseases. ($35,000)
- Michigan State Medical Society Foundation—to improve health care providers’ knowledge of bioethical considerations of medical practice at the “Ethics, Inequality, and Public Health” conference. ($36,000)
- Michigan Transportation Connection—to establish a call center for the Rides to Wellness Program in the Upper Peninsula as part of Connect UP. ($50,000)
- Portage Health Foundation—to support training sessions on recognizing and intervening on instances of human trafficking, sexual assault, and sexual coercion to social service and health care organizations. ($10,000 with funding partners)
- Ten Sixteen Recovery Network—to support Mid Michigan Collegiate Recovery Education and Wellness program at the Harrison campus of Mid Michigan College. ($33,500)
- Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc.—to support a primary prevention program, “The Public Will Campaign to End Child Sexual Abuse,” to create new social expectations around community level protective behavior related to child sexual abuse. ($35,000)
- University of Michigan School of Nursing—to inquire into the linkages between COVID-19 added stress, mental health, and substance use disorder among essential workers. ($40,000)
- Zaman International – Hope for Humanity—to provide a chronic disease self-management program and mental health support group to immigrants, refugees, and women of color. ($36,5000)
Contact: Elba Huerta at foundation@bcbsm.com.
CareSource Foundation (Dayton, OH)
CareSource Foundation officially launched its inaugural CareSource Foundation Grant Challenge in Kansas and Iowa to recognize organizations and programs that are making significant impacts on our communities’ toughest health issues. Over the last year, the foundation has expanded its reach from its headquarters in Dayton, Ohio, to organizations across the nation, working with philanthropy partners and nonprofits to inspire innovation on reducing health disparities and moving the needle on health equity.
After the nomination period closes, a review committee will select the top 10 organizations that will move on to a public voting period. The CareSource Foundation Grant Challenge Grand Winner as determined by votes will receive $50,000. Additional awards between $5,000 and $25,000 will be awarded to the remaining nine finalists.
To learn about the challenge, click here.
Contact: Rachel Goodspeed at 937.531.2590 or rachel.goodspeed@caresource.com.
CDC Foundation (Atlanta, GA)
The CDC Foundation is activating its Emergency Response Fund to meet the immediate public health needs of those individuals and families coming to America from Afghanistan. Among the most pressing needs is connecting Afghanistan evacuees with public health networks to facilitate communication about COVID-19 testing and follow-up vaccinations and serve as a connection point for other essential health and resettlement services as these evacuees begin their lives in the United States.
In August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) joined the United States government’s evacuation of United States and Afghan nationals from Afghanistan, supporting the broader United States government response. CDC requested the CDC Foundation activate its Emergency Response Fund to accelerate the public health components of the mission, including testing, vaccination, and COVID-19 prevention and mitigation.
Cell phones will be provided to evacuees and will serve as a reliable, direct and critical connection between individuals, families and public health authorities who can then provide evacuees with essential health and resettlement resources, information on recommended follow-up for vaccinations and access to COVID-19 testing. The phones can also be used to share vital public health alerts and messaging.
To manage resources, the CDC Foundation will work with all levels of government and on-the-ground partners, like refugee aid organizations, state and local health departments and community-based organizations to coordinate support for resettlement and the longer-term well-being of Afghan refugees.
To learn more, click here.
Contact: Amy Tolchinsky at 404.523.3486.
Delta Dental Institute (Oak Brook, IL)
The Delta Dental Institute announced three new research awards to leading health research institutions. The funding is part of the Delta Dental Institute’s continued efforts to invest in research that leads to actionable solutions for improved oral and overall health. The following researchers have received awards to pursue the following oral health care topics:
- Harvard School of Dental Medicine—Lead researcher Sung Eun Choi, SM, PhD, will evaluate the feasibility of policies to reduce disparities in oral health.
- University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine—Lead researcher Tamanna Tiwari, MPH, MDS, BDS, will conduct a critical review of the success and barriers in dental-medical collaboration models to inform future dental-medical collaboration strategies.
- University of Iowa—Lead researcher Leonardo Marchini, DDS, MSD, PhD, will assess the use of a mobile app to improve oral health literacy and care provisions among caregivers of older adults.
The research topics selected reflect Delta Dental’s mission to advance the oral health of all Americans. All three studies will assess opportunities to create more equitable access to care and reduce health disparities—areas that are always important but became even more evident and immediate during the COVID-19 pandemic. These research investments build on prior research funded by the Delta Dental Institute, including a 2020 white paper on oral health literacy.
Contact: Emily O’Brien at eobrien@deltadental.com.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation (Battle Creek, MI)
W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) has committed $2 million towards Hispaanics in Philanthropy’s $3 million goal to support over 45 grantee partners of the Family Unity Fund.
The first phase of the Family Unity Fund was created in response to the forcible separation of migrant families due to the impact of the Zero Tolerance policy implemented from April 2018 to January 2020 by the Trump Administration. It provided over $1 million, from the WKKF and others, of immediate relief for 43 frontline grassroots and transnational organizations in the United States-Mexico border and in key destination cities in the United States.
This second phase will move critical resources for organizations working with immigrant families striving to survive, reunite, and rebuild while recovering from systemic barriers and deep-seated traumas. The Fund will resource organizations responding to the impact of policies like Title 42 that continues to block, expel and separate migrant families, many of whom are escaping prosecution, violence, climate, and economic devastation across the Americas.
Contact: Amalia Brindis Delgado at amalia@hiponline.org.
Maine Health Access Foundation (Augusta, ME)
The Maine Health Access Foundation announced $714,231 in funding through the first grants awarded under its new Systems Improvement and Innovation Responsive Grants (SIIRG) program. Fourteen organizations’ projects will be funded over the next two years:
- American Academy of Pediatrics (Maine Chapter)
- Community Concepts
- In Her Presence
- Kennebec Valley Dental Coalition
- Maine Children’s Alliance
- Maine Hospice Council
- Maine Medical Center
- Maine Medical Center Gender Clinic
- New England Arab American Organization
- SAGE Maine
- Tri-County Mental Health Services
- Wabanaki Public Health
- York Hospital
For further details on each grantee’s project, click here.
Contact: Jeb Murphy at 207.620.8266 ext.117 or jmurphy@mehaf.org.
Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation (Pottstown, PA)
The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation awarded $1,451,405 to 33 nonprofits, schools, and municipalities during the spring 2021 grant round. Grants were divided among five program areas: Healthy Behaviors-Schools, Healthy Behaviors-Parks, Healthy Behaviors-Networks, Physical and Emotional Health, and Strengthening Nonprofits.
In the Healthy Behaviors-Schools program area, $287,655 was awarded to fund seven projects intended to improve educational opportunities for students in public and private learning institutions.
- Foundation For Boyertown Education—Building Sustainability
- Foundation for Pottstown Education—General Operating Support
- Holy Cross Regional Catholic School—Buddy Benches for Holy Cross Regional Catholic School
- Pottstown School District—PEAK Whole Child Wellness
- Pottstown School District—PTICC Coordinator and Organizational Learning
- Spring-Ford Area School District—Wellness Matters 2021-22
- Aloysius Parish School—St. Aloysius Spring 2021
In the Healthy Behaviors-Parks program area, $45,400 was awarded to fund two projects with the aim of improving parks, programming, and the built environment to increase access to physical activity.
- East Coventry Township Parks and Recreation—Towpath Park Phase I Engineering
- North Coventry Township—Riverside Park Pickleball Courts
In the Healthy Behaviors-Networks program area, $634,850 was awarded to fund 16 projects. These projects will create and promote social networks involving healthy living.
- Accion Comunal Latinoamericana de Montgomery County—Pottstown Community Health Connections Program
- Boyertown Area Multi-Service—Ricketts Center
- Camp Rainbow—Life Skills Development
- Chester County Food Bank—Greater Pottstown Area Food Security Initiatives
- Expressive Therapy Concepts—Smashville Badminton: Kids and Adult Fitness Program
- Greater Pottstown Tennis And Learning Association—Game, Set, Advantage
- Julian Dorsey Foundation—Infrastructure Growth of Marketing, Leadership, and Development
- Meals On Wheels Of Chester County—Nutritious meals for northern section of Chester County
- Michaels Community Services Corporation—Outdoor Classroom
- Mitzvah Circle Foundation—Critical Needs for Healthy Families, Diaper Bank, and Period Supplies Programs
- The Pennsylvania State University—Promoting Physical Activity among Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Expanding the Capacity of Teachers and Caregivers to Engage Children in Active Play
- Pottstown Children’s Discovery Center—Pottstown Children’s Discovery Center Comes to Life
- Project Purpose—General Operating
- Save Alliance Foundation b.a. GreenAllies—The Community Empowerment Project: Building Social Capital through Volunteerism
- Steel River Playhouse—Healing on High Street
- Strive Initiative—Sustainability in Action Program
In the Physical and Emotional Health program area, $46,000 was awarded for three projects offering learning opportunities for physical and emotional health.
- Creative Health Services—COVID Relief & Recovery Fund
- Maternal and Child Health Consortium of Chester County—Ensuring a Healthy Start and Access to Benefits for Underserved Families in Pottstown
- Tower Health Medical Group—Pottstown Family Practice: COVID Relief & Recovery Fund
In the Strengthening Nonprofits program area, $437,500 was awarded for five projects offering learning opportunities and strategic planning to strengthen nonprofits.
- TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation—Leadership Program
- TriCounty Community Network—Racial Equity Learning Community
- TriCounty Community Network—Community Collaborative
- TriCounty Community Network—Love Your Block
- United Way of Boyertown Area—Matching Grant with the United Way of Boyertown Area
The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation serves communities within a 10-mile radius of Pottstown, and works with nonprofits, local government, and schools to ensure that every member of its community has the opportunity to embrace a healthy lifestyle.
Contact: John Robertson at 540.817.8219.
St. David’s Foundation (Austin, TX)
St. David’s Foundation is honored to support the recipients of its first-ever Perinatal Safe Zone RFP, which will fuel local programs that are designed and led by communities most impacted by birth inequities, in service of the foundation’s mission to advance health equity.
With Texas having the highest maternal mortality rate of any state in the United States, establishing an environment that supports perinatal health is critical to ensuring Texas women and babies, especially those from low-income backgrounds and communities of color, reach their full potential for health and well-being. Today, Central Texas is one step closer to becoming one such environment, called a “perinatal safe zone”—a geographic or virtual space that is judgment-free, welcoming, and offers the physical, emotional, and educational support needed for healthy pregnancies.
A total of $1 million is being awarded to 12local nonprofit organizations in Central Texas, 11 of which are led by people of color, to advance their goals of ensuring that pregnant families, regardless of background, not only have access to the clinical services they need, when they need them, but also that non-clinical services that support pregnancy are also accessible to them.
To learn more about the recipients, click here.
Contact: Kim Everett at 512.545.3288.
UniHealth Foundation (Los Angeles, CA)
UniHealth Foundation has approved $8.8 million in new grants since October 2020. The grants address a range of vulnerable communities, including women, veterans, and the elderly. They also seek to address a myriad of challenges that contribute to negative health outcomes—income, racial, and geographic inequities. In addition to the grants, UniHealth approved $1.5 million in program related investments. The foundation’s strategy is to provide low-interest capital loans to its community health partners, such as clinics, to support their expansion of services.
To learn more, click here.
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation (Owings Mills, MD)
The Weinberg Foundation recently approved more than 35 grants totaling $19 million supporting the areas of Housing, Health, Jobs, Education, and Community Services. The health related grants are below:
- California Coalition for Rural Housing Project—to support the replication of the CAPABLE (Community Aging in Place—Advancing Better Living for Elders) model—which works to improve independence and mobility, manage chronic symptoms, and decrease health care costs for older adults struggling with activities of daily living—in two rural communities. ($115,000)
- Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County—to help families move forward from domestic violence by connecting them to the necessary resources and support. ($100,000)
- Hana Health—to support the construction of the Hana Health Rehabilitation and Support Center, which will include space for rehabilitation, behavioral health care, cultural healing practices, and telehealth technologies. ($1,00,000)
- Homeless Children’s Network—to support the Ma’at program, which provides Afri-centric, trauma-informed care to address racial disparities in community-based mental health services for Black youth and families with children under 18. ($100,000)
- Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco, Peninsula, Marin & Sonoma Counties—to support the DREAM program, which provides comprehensive case management and support services for women and children escaping domestic violence. ($100,000)
- Kokua Kalihi Valley—to increase access to locally grown food, Native Hawaiian health care services, and workforce development opportunities for youth. ($400,000)
- Philadelphia Research and Education Foundation—to support the implementation of the CAPABLE (Community Aging in Place— Advancing Better Living for Elders) model across nine Veterans Administration (VA) medical centers and 45 surrounding community-based outpatient clinics. ($1,250,000)
- RefugeeOne—to support the construction of a facility for this refugee resettlement agency, which will include a dental clinic that offers free comprehensive dental care, as well as clinical rooms for psychological assessment for asylum seekers. ($400,000)
- Round Up—to support the development of a new funding stream for amutot (non-governmental organizations) focused on combating domestic violence. ($320,000)
- Yad Sarah—to support the construction of a new health and wellness center for older adults. ($850,000)
Contact: 410.654.8500.