Topics: Philanthropy

Philanthropy, Cross-Collaboration, and the Ecosystem That Is Rural Healthcare Delivery: Q&A with Dr. Shao-Chee Sim

As vice president for research, innovation, and evaluation at Texas-based Episcopal Health Foundation, Shao-Chee Sim, PhD, discusses how philanthropic organizations can make small rural research investments — and, in particular, leverage cross-funder collaboration — that impact not only funders themselves, but also healthcare delivery systems and the rural Americans they serve.

Foundations with a rural health focus share how they’re addressing immediate and long-term issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides funding, these foundations provide technical assistance, convening of partners, and other services so their grantees can continue previous projects or focus on COVID.

Aaron Wernham and Scott Malloy of the Montana Healthcare Foundation share how their foundation responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing technical assistance, organizing webinars to clarify emergency declaration orders, and creating a grant application assistance initiative.

Barbara Leonard and Ruta Kadonoff of the Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF) discuss how their foundation provided unrestricted COVID-19 grants and open competitive grants and partnered with other philanthropies pooling together COVID-19 response funds.

Kim Barber Tieman, program director for health and human services for the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, shares how her foundation set up a COVID-19 grant capture team and funded grant writers to help organizations navigate and apply for federal funding opportunities. In addition, her foundation worked with organizations and funded three mobile COVID testing units to better reach communities of color.

Dolores E. Roybal, executive director of Con Alma Health Foundation, discusses how her foundation partnered with other funders to provide almost $2 million in grants and created an advisory committee of immigrant-led, immigrant-serving organizations to address barriers limiting access to services.

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) can offer flexible financing options, but many operate at full capacity and there is a general lack of awareness of these institutions in rural spaces. Foundation and CDFI leaders share their perspectives about the difference CDFIs can make on rural health outcomes.

Dr. Octavio Martinez discusses the current state of the U.S. mental health system, the particular challenges faced in rural America, and the work of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health to improve the mental health care system in Texas.

Public agencies and private non-profit groups have mutual interests in improving the health of rural Americans. The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy and philanthropy organizations worked together to create a unique funding opportunity, the Rural Health Care Coordination Network Partnership Program. Two health care organizations and their philanthropy partners share how coordinated efforts benefit patients with diabetes, congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Karen McNeil-Miller shares how the Colorado Health Foundation is increasing its focus on the health of rural communities and the importance of listening to and collaborating with the communities in that endeavor.

The Rural Monitor

Articles and resources on key rural health issues, from the Rural Health Information Hub

Topics: Philanthropy

Philanthropy, Cross-Collaboration, and the Ecosystem That Is Rural Healthcare Delivery: Q&A with Dr. Shao-Chee Sim

During Pandemic, Rural Health Foundations Provide Financial Support, Technical Assistance, and Other Services

Montana Healthcare Foundation: Leveraging Funds, Providing Technical Assistance, and Supporting Public Health

Con Alma Health Foundation: Health Equity and COVID Relief

CDFIs ‘Make Dreams Come True’ by Creating Opportunity in Rural Spaces

Innovating Mental Healthcare in Texas and Beyond: Q&A with Dr. Octavio Martinez

Colorado Health Foundation Makes Rural Communities a Priority: Q&A with Karen McNeil-Miller