Healthcare Agencies Provide Major Gifts For Social Justice And Resiliency Fund (Photo) -11/11/21
Vancouver, Wash., November 11, 2021—The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington has announced the first major gifts to its Social Justice and Resiliency Fund. The fund recently awarded its first grants as well, which are intended to accelerate critical systems change work and increase capacity within the nonprofit sector.
Since its launch in June, the fund has secured $850,000 to provide rapid response grants to organizations that are creating a more just and resilient future in Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania Counties. A trio of regional healthcare agencies contributed more than a third of this total according to Jennifer Rhoads, President of the Community Foundation. These funding partners include Beacon Health Options, PeaceHealth and Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health (SWACH), all of which are grappling with health disparities and patient needs intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are grateful to have such courageous and giving community partners,” Rhoads said. “Healthcare professionals have seen and felt the immense costs of our flawed systems, and they are dedicated to improving outcomes for everyone. These gifts offer healing beyond medical offices because they invest in community solutions to improve the social determinants of health.”
The Social Justice and Resiliency Fund stimulates charitable investments in historically marginalized communities by prioritizing funding for nonprofits led by and serving underrepresented populations. This targeted approach was developed using data gathered by the Community Foundation during its COVID-19 relief efforts. Using nonprofit feedback and regional statistics, staff and committee members found that community-based organizations had effective solutions but lacked sustained funding to address the systemic issues that impacted Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) during the pandemic.
“The pandemic showed us once again that marginalized communities suffer the greatest consequences and are often the last and least to benefit during periods of recovery,” Rhoads said. “With this dedicated fund, we hope to give communities the resources they need to speed up the pace of change and build on their existing strengths.”
The fund provides general operating and capacity building support to eligible nonprofits. Grants of this nature allow organizations to allocate resources where they are most needed—whether paying salaries or tackling emergent issues—which provides greater opportunity for innovation and impact. Rhoads said the goal is to invest in an organization’s mission and let those with on-the-ground knowledge decide how to best address barriers and disparities in housing, education, food, healthcare and other systems.
“We embrace the concept of whole person care and see a direct link with the purpose of this fund,” said Leah Becknell, Beacon’s Account Partnership Director. “Beacon strives to invest in our community in ways that advance equity and inclusion and fundamentally address the disproportionate health and socioeconomic impacts our BIPOC communities face.”
The fund has awarded five grants totaling $179,000 to nonprofits that are improving the lives of immigrants, foster children, Latinx communities and people with disabilities. One award enabled LULAC Council 47013 to scale its career development program for Latinx youth, while another to Comunidades is engaging Latinx leaders around environmental and social justice in the Columbia River Gorge.
A grant to Office Moms & Dads supports volunteer outreach and education, so that children entering foster care are paired with companions who better reflect and understand them and their unique experiences. Hispanic Disability Support SWWA used its grant to fund a part-time position that assists its members, which have doubled to more than 200 families and individuals during the pandemic.
“SWACH wholeheartedly supports this fund because it advances equity and improves the social determinants of health across our region,” said Kim Lepin, SWACH’s Director of Equity and Engagement. “For us, it presents a wonderful opportunity to expand the reach and impact of our funding by collaborating with a respected community partner on this critically important work.”
By providing critical investments such as these, the Social Justice and Resiliency Fund is fostering a more robust and reflective coalition of community-based organizations. Building this infrastructure will strengthen these organizations, improve overall community health and position Southwest Washington to respond to future crises more effectively according to Rhoads.
###
About the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington
Established in 1984, the Community Foundation helps southwest Washingtonians build a more vibrant and engaged community through charitable giving and community engagement. The Foundation holds more than 360 distinct funds, which are actively invested to generate growth and income for granting purposes. Governed by an esteemed volunteer Board of Directors, the Community Foundation offers benefits and services to donors, nonprofits and the community at large. Learn more at cfsww.org.
About Beacon Health Options
Beacon Health Options is a leading behavioral health services company serving 1 out of 6 people across all 50 states. We work with employers, health plans and government agencies to support mental health and emotional wellbeing, substance use disorder recovery, and employee health programs that improve the health and wellness of people every day. Our multi-modal, insights driven approach allows us to integrate social, behavioral and physical health solutions to drive improved outcomes for everyone we serve. By collaborating with a network of providers in communities around the country, we help individuals live their lives to the fullest potential. For more information, visit beaconhealthoptions.com.
About PeaceHealth
PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a group practice with more than 1,200 providers and 10 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its mission. For more information, visit peacehealth.org.
About SWACH
Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health (SWACH) is a local nonprofit working to improve health in Southwest Washington. We bring together community members and other experts to address our region’s major health challenges. Through innovative partnerships and local resources, we’re working to create lasting changes and a healthier future—for everyone. The SWACH region is made up of Clark, Klickitat and Skamania Counties. SWACH is one of nine organizations leading the state’s Healthier Washington Initiative in their regions. These Accountable Communities of Health (ACHs) are building a healthier Washington that meets their communities’ unique needs. Learn more at the Washington Health Authority Website.
