The REACH Healthcare Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to improving health coverage and access to quality, affordable care for uninsured and medically underserved communities. The foundation maintains a regional focus, with a six-county service area that encompasses Allen, Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas, and Cass, Jackson and Lafayette counties in Missouri.
Years ago, the REACH Healthcare Foundation started examining its investments and partnerships through the lens of racial equity—asking questions both internally and externally about the impact of REACH’s grantmaking practices on nonprofit leaders and Black-led, Black-serving organizations.
The information gleaned from these conversations was the spark that ultimately created our Centering Black Voices initiative, which aims to increase our investments and partnerships with the Black community. Currently, we embrace our responsibility to reparative health philanthropy, as stated in our commitment letter.
Quality healthcare and coverage is a human right.
Serve as a leader and community catalyst for change.
Demonstrate inclusiveness, respect and appreciation for the backgrounds, differences and points of view of others.
Promote open dialogue and collaboration to share knowledge and create strategic alliances.
Foster an environment of positive change through innovation, creativity and continuous improvement.
Foster an environment of positive change through innovation, creativity and continuous improvement.
Foster an environment of positive change through innovation, creativity and continuous improvement.
Foster an environment of positive change through innovation, creativity and continuous improvement.
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. The first board of directors was appointed in 2003, marking the beginnings of the organization and its commitment to improving health care access and quality. The foundation 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 subsequent contributions.
Historically, REACH has focused its community investments in areas including primary medical care, mental health, oral health, and health policy and advocacy. Our current funding priorities are outlined within a community investment framework, which describes the foundation’s three outcome areas: Bridge the Coverage Divide, Close the Health Equity Gap and Strengthen the Safety Net.
Each outcome area aligns with the foundation’s commitment to achieving equitable health outcomes throughout our six-county service area. These outcome areas, and the strategies within each, guide our work, partnerships and where we invest.
©2024 REACH Healthcare Foundation
