About Us

Our Vision

All poor and underserved people in our community will have quality health care.

Our Mission

Inform and educate the public and facilitate access to quality health care for poor and underserved people.

REACH at a Glance

• Established in 2003
• The Foundation is governed by a 17-member Board of Directors who bring diverse professional backgrounds, beliefs and perspectives to the organization.
• Daily operations are managed by a staff of nine.
• Service area encompasses Allen, Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas; Cass, Jackson and Lafayette counties in Missouri, and the city of Kansas City, Missouri.
• $35.0 million invested in programs and initiatives since 2005
• Total assets: $127.0 million

Core Values

The REACH Healthcare Foundation …

• Believes all people deserve access to the health care they need.
• Serves as a leader and community catalyst for health care change.
• Demonstrates in its work inclusiveness, respect and appreciation for the backgrounds, differences and points of view of others. (See Foundation Diversity and Inclusion Policy)
• Promotes open dialogue and collaboration to share knowledge and create strategic alliances.
• Fosters an environment of positive change through innovation, creativity and continuous improvement.
• Acts ethically, with integrity, accountability and attention to excellence.
• Funds change, not just need, in order to create hope and a true system of care for our communities’ poor and underserved populations.

History

The REACH Healthcare Foundation was established in 2003 with proceeds from the sale of Health Midwest, a regional nonprofit healthcare organization purchased by Hospital Corporation of America. At the time of the purchase, the Attorneys General of Kansas and Missouri secured assets from the sale to be used for charitable purposes in each state, resulting in the establishment of two new healthcare conversion foundations serving the Greater Kansas City region – the REACH Healthcare Foundation and the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City (HCF).

Both foundations were established for the purpose of addressing the health and health care needs of indigent and medically underserved residents in the communities formerly served by the Health Midwest System.

The REACH Foundation, incorporated in Kansas, received 20 percent of the net proceeds of the Health Midwest assets through Health Midwest’s successor organization, the Community Health Group (CHG). HCF, incorporated in Missouri, received 80 percent of the assets based on a court-approved settlement agreement.

REACH was approved by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in May 2004, and the following month received nearly $100 million in initial assets. The Foundation has since received additional contributions from CHG.

Since inception, our funding has focused on three areas – oral health, mental health and safety net health services. The Foundation also has invested in public policy and advocacy efforts, and special initiatives, including patient-centered medical home model, children’s oral health, cultural competency and more.

In January 2011, the Board of Directors adopted a strategic plan that reaffirms the Foundation’s commitment to its vision and three interest areas, but also identifies grant making and policy priorities that focus on two key outcomes – access to health care coverage and health care services, and quality of health services.

Learn more:

About the REACH Foundation President and CEO

Meet members of the REACH Foundation Board

Review grant opportunities

Review public policy priorities

Review the REACH Theory of Change.