United Way, Northwest Health Foundation Partner to Engage Underserved Communities in Health Reform Efforts

PORTLAND, October 3, 2008 – Sharing a common goal to increase community engagement and policy advocacy on health care issues, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and the Northwest Health Foundation (NWHF) announce a funding partnership to support local projects. 

NWHF allocated $175,000 for its Access to Healthcare Initiative that focuses on community engagement and policy advocacy. United Way of the Columbia-Willamette contributed an additional $75,000 to the initiative, directing dollars to projects that are most consistent with United Way’s health priorities.

The funding partnership is an example of how regional organizations are coming together to empower grassroots efforts that engage underserved communities in health care reform. Funded projects include public education and media campaigns to improve health care access, as well as efforts to build community support for state legislative proposals focusing on health care reform.

"Projects supported through the partnership offer innovative ways to increase access to health care through grassroots engagement and policy advocacy,” said Thomas Aschenbrenner, NWHF President. “Jointly funding this work helps both the Northwest Health Foundation and the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette meet their goal of supporting advocacy activities in the region."

Improving people’s health is one of three core funding areas for United Way of the Columbia-Willamette. In the four-county Portland/Vancouver region, United Way funds programs that enhance access to health care, provide mental health and addiction services, and help prevent domestic violence.

“The projects funded by this collaboration are an important step toward bringing new and previously unheard community voices and involving them into the health reform conversation,” said Howard Klink, Vice President of Community Investment for United Way of the Columbia-Willamette.

“It is our hope that this partnership will serve as a catalyst for systems change and create momentum among other funders to support grassroots advocacy to improve access to health care.”

Access to Healthcare Initiative projects that are jointly funded by United Way and NWHF include:

Increasing Access to Health Care for Children in North Clackamas, Canby, and Portland

Funds advocacy for children’s dental services in Clackamas County and children’s health insurance in Portland. Managed by Stand for Children

Secure Health Care Program in Southwest Washington

Organizes small business support of health reform in five counties of Southwest Washington. Managed by Washington Community Action Network Education and Research Fund

Oregon Interfaith Health Justice Campaign

Mobilizes a diverse partnership of faith- and non-faith based consumers to advocate for statewide health reform. Managed by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon

Building Grassroots Leadership for Policy Change

Increases youth and family advocacy for, and enhance sustainability of, school-based health centers. Managed by the Oregon School-Based Health Care Network

Oregon Small Business Healthcare Initiative Mobilization Project

Establishes an organization to mobilize the small business community in Oregon’s health reform conversation. Managed by Oregon Small Business for Responsible Leadership

About the Northwest Health Foundation

Founded in 1997, the Northwest Health Foundation is an independent, charitable foundation committed to advancing, supporting, and promoting the health of the people of Oregon and southwest Washington. Embracing its role as the community’s partner for better health, the Foundation achieves its mission primarily through grantmaking and support for advocacy efforts that influence public policy. www.nwhf.org

About the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette is working to advance the common good in the four-county Portland/Vancouver area by focusing on the basics we all need for success:  education, income, and health. We all win when children succeed in school, families are financially stable and independent, and people have good health. Our goal is to create long-lasting changes that prevent problems from happening in the first place. By working together we can create opportunities for a better life and create a stronger community.  That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED.