What is the Empire Health Foundation board working on?

The initial focus of the Empire Health Foundation board is to address our responsibilities in post-sale activities and establish the board governance, investment and grant-making structures to responsibly serve our communities for the long term.

How much money will the Empire Health Foundation end up with?

The final asset amount has not been determined yet. The board is currently negotiating arrangements related to trailing liabilities that were conditions of the sale, in order to maximize the funds available for philanthropy. A final asset amount will be confirmed sometime in 2010 when this process has been finalized.

How much money will Empire Health Foundation be paying out on an annual basis?

The Foundation will distribute $1 million in grants in the current 2010 fiscal year.  The targeted grant budget in 2011 will be $2 million.  The final determined amounts each year will vary depending on annual interest earnings, principal balance and qualifying distributions based on trailing liabilities. The Foundation board will work diligently to maximize these funds to create the largest positive impact on health in our region.

When will the foundation begin accepting grant applications and start awarding grants?

We are putting the infrastructure and systems for grant review and processing in place and will move to grant making in the second half of 2010.  The current target is to begin accepting online applications in mid-May 2010.  Please check the Foundation's website at that time for updated information.

Will the foundation board have other duties?

Awarding grants is only one part of our role. We are responsible for enforcing the conditions in the Empire Health Services sale agreement and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Foundation.

What types of organizations will Empire Health Foundation support with grants and for what purposes?

The Foundation will invest in ideas and organizations that improve access, education, research and public policy to result in a measurably healthier region. When we have more specific guidelines, they will be posted in our grant application section. Possible grant areas include funding research into health conditions, programs to improve health status, and education of health professionals. For the 2010 grant year, we will not award grants for capital construction.

If my organization is a registered 501(c)(6) can we still apply?

Empire Health Foundation will be accepting grant requests from registered 501(c)(6) corporations. The Foundation will, however, be analyzing each corporation's request in relationship to the additional administrative work required by the IRS for such funding. After such analysis is completed, the Foundation will confirm or deny the request with explanations provided. 

Additional questions? Contact us