ʵ

ʵ Approves $1.1 Million in Health Partnership Grants 

The Board also allocated up to $1 million in additional Rapid Response Funding to address urgent community challenges and advance health equity in Silicon Valley.

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San Jose, CA—December 16, 2024—ʵ Board of Trustees has approved $1,110,000 in Health Partnership grants, funding seven projects to improve health outcomes and build equity in Silicon Valley. In addition, the Board approved a notable augmentation of up to $1 million for a Rapid Response Strategy to address urgent challenges and support the health and well-being of high-need communities. 

The combined funding reflects ʵ’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every individual—regardless of immigration status, income, race, or zip code—has access to the resources and support they need to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.

Health Partnership Grant Awards
The seven Health Partnership grants span ʵ’s Focus Areas of Food & Nutrition, Chronic Disease Prevention & Management, and Health Equity Fund. These projects demonstrate a shared vision for a healthier Silicon Valley.

Food & Nutrition

  • Hunger at Home: Hunger at Home collects surplus food and goods from local restaurants, convention centers, hotels, and sports stadiums to distribute to those facing hunger and homelessness. With support from ʵ, they will address food insecurity among college students by launching free nutritious meal programs through the Spartan Food Pantry at San Jose State University.
  • Second Harvest of Silicon Valley: As one of the largest food banks in the nation, Second Harvest partners with 400 organizations to provide nutritious food to food-insecure individuals across Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Funding from ʵ will support food distribution programs in South Santa Clara County and assist with CalFresh enrollment to further combat food insecurity.

Chronic Disease Prevention & Management

  • Gardner Health Services: Gardner delivers comprehensive medical and mental health care tailored to diverse communities. ʵ’s grant will improve diabetes management at Gardner’s Gilroy health center, enhancing care quality and outcomes for vulnerable patients.
  • Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley: Dedicated to the health and wellness of American Indian/Alaskan Native communities, the Indian Health Center will use funding to strengthen its diabetes care program, reducing complications and improving outcomes for patients in Santa Clara County.
  • Roots Community Health Center, South Bay: Roots is the only clinic in Santa Clara County offering African-centered primary care and health navigation services. ʵ’s support will bolster their Type 2 Diabetes management program by leveraging technology and personalized care to create sustainable, impactful change for communities of African descent.

Health Equity Fund

  • Parents Helping Parents: Parents Helping Parents empowers families of children with disabilities by providing resources, training, and opportunities to connect. ʵ’s grant will support the development of a robust engagement strategy to foster meaningful relationships and mutual support among families.
  • Silicon Valley Community Foundation: As a regional catalyst for systemic change, SVCF will collaborate with ʵ to identify and fund community-led initiatives in Santa Clara County, addressing health disparities and advancing equity.

Rapid Response Strategy
In an important step, the Board approved up to $1 million to fund a Rapid Response Strategy through ʵ’s Health Equity Fund. These additional resources will allow ʵ to address urgent and unforeseen challenges that could disproportionately impact the health and well-being of underserved communities in Santa Clara and Northern San Benito counties.

“We are inspired by the resilience and commitment of our grantee partners, whose work is vital to advancing health equity,” said Craig Stephens, Ph.D., Board Member, ʵ. “This Rapid Response Strategy demonstrates ʵ’s dedication to proactively addressing the challenges ahead, ensuring resources are available when they are needed most.”

Amy Chan, Interim CEO of ʵ, added: “The approval of these grants and the Rapid Response Strategy is a testament to our shared mission to create a healthier Silicon Valley. We are honored to stand with our partners in addressing the most pressing needs of our community.”

For nearly 30 years, ʵ has been a leader in advancing health equity in Silicon Valley through innovative funding, advocacy, and partnerships. Together with its partners, ʵ envisions a community where everyone has a fair chance at leading a healthy life.

About ʵ
ʵ is dedicated to building health equity in Silicon Valley through policy advocacy and strategic grantmaking. By leveraging partnerships and community resources, ʵ aims to address the root causes of health disparities and create lasting, positive change. For further information or inquiries, please contact ʵ team at info@healthtrust.org or 408-513-8700.

Contact

Maria Garcia
Director of Grantmaking
mariag@healthtrust.org
408.513.8729

Tags: Community, Grantmaking, Health Equity, Rapid Response, Health Partnership