CONTACT:

Jennifer Ramb

 (509) 315-1323

jennifer@empirehealthfoundation.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Empire Health Foundation Distributing First Grants

Applications for next round of responsive grants program open

(Spokane, WA, September 1, 2010) – Empire Health Foundation is distributing $424,000 in the first round of responsive grants to 29 nonprofit organizations in the region working in health, and targets granting up to $1 million by the end of 2010.  The mission of the Foundation is to transform eastern Washington’s seven counties into the state’s healthiest region.  While the Foundation's grant making is focused in 2010 on responding to current needs, starting in 2011 a growing percentage of the grant funding will be allocated to specific long term strategic objectives.

In creating its responsive grants program, the Foundation recognizes the last two years have represented a difficult time of decreased donations and government funding, yet a greater need. As a result, approximately 80% of the 2010 grants budget is being distributed in one-time responsive grants to unsolicited proposals. The goal is to serve the immediate needs of a very broad and diverse set of organizations working on health related issues throughout the seven target counties.   

Beginning in 2011, future grant cycles will focus more significantly on strategic grant initiatives to achieve the Foundation’s mission. “We're excited to reach this important milestone of the Foundation's first grants, while at the same time continuing to focus on the design and impact of our longer term strategic grant investments,” said Antony Chiang, President of Empire Health Foundation.  For the remainder of 2010, strategic grant funds will be specifically invested in needs assessment, design, and planning.   In 2011, a growing percentage of grant funding will be allocated to specific long term multi-year objectives, such that a majority of grant funds in any given year are strategic. 

“The Foundation is a valuable community asset, and we have a responsibility to use the funds wisely. We’re using these initial responsive grants to learn how we might invest strategically over the long term to positively impact the health of individuals and communities,” said, Sue Lani Madsen, Chair of the Grants Committee. "During our review process, the Foundation determined certain applications were not a good fit for the responsive grants program, but are potentially be a better fit for our strategic grants program."

Applications for the second round of Responsive Grants will be open September 1, 2010 through October 8, 2010. In addition, Empire Health Foundation will be hosting open office hours on Wednesdays from September 8 to October 6   to assist in the application process or to answer any questions. The open office hours will be held from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at 111 N. Post St, Suite 301 in downtown Spokane.   Potential applicants who are unable to visit the office are invited to call, email or connect to Foundation staff via Skype.  Grant recipients must be serving in one of seven counties in Eastern Washington including Spokane, Whitman, Lincoln, Adams, Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille.  Successful applications will support the Foundation’s vision of investing in ideas and organizations improving access, education, research and public policy to result in a measurably healthier region.  Applicants must also be a private 501(c)(3)organization or a qualifying public entity. For more information about Empire Health Foundation or the grant process please call (509)315-1323 or visit www.empirehealthfoundation.org. 

About Empire Health Foundation: The Empire Health Foundation is an independent, non-profit grant-making foundation serving seven counties of eastern Washington. Formed as a result of the 2008 sale of Empire Health Services, Empire Health Foundation board and staff are working diligently to act as good stewards of the foundation's resources for the benefit of our region. A volunteer board of community leaders is responsible for governance of the Foundation, working alongside a dedicated staff to manage and implement the foundation's objectives.