We are committed to taking on multiple roles in our efforts to promote the work of nonprofit, community-based, consumer-focused organizations that are working to provide equitable access to health care for underserved populations. While community grantmaking will always be our primary activity, we also are committed to serving as a catalyst, a convener, a risk-taker, and source of reliable information in the community. We invest in nonprofit groups working in communities in several ways.  Here are a few:

Strategic Initiative Grantmaking Program – Our Strategic Initiative focuses on improving access to quality health care through two frames -- creating a regional system of patient-centered care as well as health justice.  Our grants emphasize consumer empowerment and education, prevention and wellness, advocacy and health systems/policy reform with a focus on improving access to quality health care and reducing health disparities.  

Responsive Grantmaking -- Responsive grantmaking enables us to respond to pressing needs in the community that cannot be anticipated and to support projects and organizations responding to sometimes emergency health needs.  

Investing in Collaborations -- We helped catalyze the creation of the Health Working Group (HWG) within Washington Grantmakers. This new interest group combines the resources of area foundations on important local health issues and needs and brings together funders, nonprofits, consumers, advocates, government entities, and others in the community working on critical health issues. A key project of the HWG is the Regional Primary Care Conversation (see Health Partnerships and Outreach).

Capacity Building – We provide technical assistance in a number of areas aimed at helping our nonprofit partners to strengthen their organization and leadership capabilities. Areas of technical assistance include technology, program design and evaluation, finance, strategic planning, communications, and other assistance as needed. The goal is to help our partners institutionalize knowledge, skills, and relationships aimed at building healthier communities in which everyone has a voice.

Active Participant -- A final role is that of active participant. We are not only committed to bringing diverse community members to the table, we also are committed to sitting at the table as active participants, engaging in problem solving. Our name reflects how serious we are about participating in the community.

We provide technical assistance in a number of areas aimed at helping our nonprofit partners to strengthen their organization and leadership capabilities. 

We are not only committed to bringing diverse community members to the table, we also are committed to sitting at the table as active participants, engaging in problem-solving.