Northwest Health Foundation Benefts Uncommon Partnerships

Complete press release here
August 26, 2010 -- As part of an effort to encourage the participation of those communities most affected by the problems of the current health care system, and those who could most significantly benefit from health care reform, Northwest Health Foundation (NWHF) has awarded 11 health care reform grants totaling $500,000.  

 

The grants are part of an effort by the Foundation to help Oregonians shape the next phase of health care reform implementation, particularly by addressing the health disparities inherent in the current system. 

 

One of the explicit goals of the process is to encourage traditionally under-represented voices to engage in legislative advocacy for more equitable health care policy.  By awarding these grants, the foundation is seeking to increase the presence of diverse voices, incorporate health equity into the larger health reform conversation, and ensure that issues of public health and prevention are integrated within health care reform efforts. Each of the projects focuses on advocacy during the 2011 Oregon legislative session.

 

“Northwest Health Foundation is, at its core, a social justice organization,” said Rev. Mark Knutson, Foundation board member, and chair of the Health Care Reform Committee. “These grants demonstrate how seriously this organization takes issues of equity and fairness.”

 

Projects were encouraged to include such activities as grassroots organizing, public-will building, coalition building, strategic communications, and policy analysis.

 

In issuing its request for proposals, Northwest Health Foundation asked for innovative or unusual partnerships between two or more organizations. According to Chris DeMars, program officer for the Foundation, the partnerships are a critical element of this funding process.

 

“By encouraging these unique partnerships, we wanted to bring all voices — experienced advocates as well as those that have been politically marginalized — to the health care reform advocacy conversation,” she said.