Partnership for Better Health

The Partnership for Better Health (foundation) provides funding for grants and initiatives that seek to eliminate Health disparities and address the roots of Health issues, toward ensuring that all people have the chance to enjoy healthy lives. As a result of the 2023 strategic plan and the move to trust-based grant making, during the 23-24 fy, our grant priorities transitioned to three application categories including general operating grants for organizations leading in equity work, project grants to address root issues and spark grants (formerly mini-grants). Priority consideration is given to grantees that address issues like Health equity, and social determinants of Health, and which are centering people with lived experience. Further, each project and spark grant is assigned one or more core funding areas aligned with the social determinants of Health (Health care access and quality; social and community context; economic stability; education access and quality; and neighborhood and the built environment). In addition, during fiscal 23-24, $840,000 in foundation initiatives were approved which will focus on high priority areas such as affordable housing, perry county Health coalition, home Health care and sustainable food systems. In the current fiscal year, the foundation awarded $2,346,938 for 87 grants and other assistance to local organizations. An additional $279,398 was put back into the local community from initiatives approved in prior fiscal years. Programs at sadler Health center received 23% of the total grants and initiative funding for Health services that include dental care and community Health workers to provide outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy. The foundation made capital investments of $25,000 to lynn sheaffer dum memorial park in perry county and $40,000 to the cumberland valley rails-to-trails in cumberland county. Shippensburg produce and outreach was awarded $50,000 to implement its new strategic plan to strengthen its capacity in addressing food insecurity. for northern adams county, the foundation awared grants to the center for youth and community development, inc. and the adams county children's advocacy center. Other assistance to local organizations focused on increasing access to healthcare, affordable housing, and food, addressing opioid addiction, and advancing high-quality youth development programs.the foundation's strategic approach includes coalition building, policy advocacy, public education and nonprofit capacity building. We serve as a catalyst, advocate and collaborator to make Health a shared priority toward establishing our communities as the healthiest in the nation.