Kaiser awards $470,000 to 31 nonprofits
As part of its mission to improve the health of its members and the communities they serve, Kaiser Permanente has provided grant funding to 31 nonprofit organizations across Marin and Sonoma counties totaling more than $470,000.
Kaiser’s Community Benefit grants, which range from $5,000 to $30,000, support organizations that are implementing locally identified health improvement programs. The program works in partnership with local nonprofits to address important health needs in these communities.
“Our partnership with these organizations provides the kind of collective impact that will improve the health of the communities we serve,” said Judy Coffey, RN, senior vice president and area manager for Marin and Sonoma. “In addition to grant funding, Kaiser Permanente also works side by side with our community partners to share medical research, clinical practices, and the expertise of our physicians and staff.”
The Community Benefit grants fund efforts to address crucial health issues in Sonoma and Marin counties, including improving access to health care coverage, health services and health education, preventing and providing treatment for mental/behavioral health, preventing and treating oral health problems for low-income families without dental insurance in Sonoma County and providing education and treatment to prevent and recover from substance abuse in Marin County.
Every three years, Kaiser conducts a formal community health needs assessment to guide its priority setting, and local cash grants have varied over the years, depending on the needs of the communities. Over the last few years the grants have totaled approximately $500,000. These are in addition to larger special grants like the $1 million Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) grant that went to Sonoma County in April 2015.
The 31 grantees and their programs for 2015 include YWCA of Sonoma County, Rohnert Park Mental Health Services, Northern California Center for Well Being, PDI Surgery Center, San Geronimo Valley Teen Prevention, Jewish Community Free Clinic and Dental Health Van.
