Non-profits committed to increasing access to quality medical care for underserved populations are being encouraged to apply for 2012 Community Grants being offered by Chandler Regional Medical Center and its parent, Dignity Health.
“Partnering with others who share our vision and values is the only way to bring about real improvements in the health care system,” said Kathleen Dowler, R.N., the hospital’s director of community integration.
The hospital awards funding to non-profit organizations whose proposals coincide with the system’s principles of serving disenfranchised populations with unmet health needs.
Grants are available up to $50,000 for applicants who propose a response to the health priorities identified in Chandler Regional’s Community Health Assessment or community benefit plan. Organizations must identify the type of change expected and how and when progress will be measured. The project to be funded must involve collaboration with other organizations and/or with a Dignity Health hospital.
Chandler Regional’s sister hospital, Mercy Gilbert, also participates in the program.
Grants exceeding $25,000 are for a 24-month period, according to Dowler. Priority will be given to those programs that demonstrate strong collaborative governance/partnership to address the identified health needs of chronic disease, mental health or obesity.
Specific populations should include those who are uninsured, underinsured or homeless as well as others in the community who are disenfranchised. In addition, priority will be given to transitional programs to improve care after hospital discharge and continuum of care for discharge from emergency rooms.
Priority will also be given to programs that focus on the spiritual, emotional and/or physical intervention, prevention, education and/or management measures for diabetes, heart disease, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, stroke, mental health or obesity.
Deadline to submit a letter of intent to apply for the program is 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 25. Final grant applications are due by 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17.
Dignity Health’s Community Grants Program is funded by contributions from its member hospitals. Typically, grant awards range from $5,000 to $50,000 and projects funded must involve collaboration with others.
Since the program began in 1990, Dignity Health has made grant awards to nearly 1,800 projects totaling more than $30 million.
Information: Desiree Anthony, 480-728-5717 or CommunityGrantsChandler-Mercy@DignityHealth.org .
