The REACH Foundation’s spending policy is based on a three-year quarterly rolling average of asset value. This approach enables the foundation to minimize the budget impact of dramatic market fluctuations to provide a more consistent stream of resources that can be invested in the work of our grantees. It also means that annual mission-related investments will lag increases in the foundation’s asset base because of the foundation’s obligation to maintain spending power into perpetuity.

The foundation continually strives to be a reliable source of funding for our nonprofit partners. In 2021, REACH awarded $4.8 million in grants. This included $1.5 million in general operating grants to 30 health, mental health, advocacy and rural health organizations. The 2021 year also wrapped up grantmaking tied to the previous strategic plan, which covered the years 2016 to 2021. Under the 2016-2021 strategic plan, REACH directly invested $29 million in its service area through grants and other assistance, with $16 million (55%) of this total allocated to support the regional safety net infrastructure. Working with staff, the REACH Board adopted a new investment framework that will guide grantmaking and community investments for the next five years.

Each year, REACH reports on expenses associated with grants and other mission-related expenses. Over the length of our grantmaking history, 75 percent of total expenses reflect direct investments made in the REACH Foundation's six-county service area. The remainder of annual expenditures are indirect investments in the foundation’s mission via staff time and related operating expenses. This information is available in our annual reports and audited financial statements.