January 2010

Sierra Health's Partnerships brings you bimonthly news, opportunities, tools and resources.

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A message from Chet Hewitt

Most, if not all, of us appreciate the expressions of hope and renewal that accompany the start of a new year. However, for many of my friends and colleagues who work in the nonprofit and government sectors, connecting with these sentiments was a very hard thing to do this year. The issue foremost on their minds was the 2010-2011 budget process that would commence with the release of the governor’s January budget proposal. After years of funding reductions, the idea there were more reductions to come was challenging for even the most time-tested budget veterans. Last week the budget was released and, as expected, there was nothing to be upbeat about. Counties, many of which plan to start their budget hearings early this year, will again face difficult choices as they struggle with the loss of state funding and the potential elimination of critical safety-net programs.

While the budget challenges facing Sierra Health Foundation pale in comparison to those facing state and county government, on a relative scale they are significant and will impact our ability to do all we would hope to do during this difficult period. Many individuals assume that market gains made over the past eight months have resolved any financial pressure foundations were experiencing. That assumption, for the most part, is simply not accurate. While we are happy to report that our endowment is slowly recovering from the low point reached during the first quarter of 2009, we are by no means back to where we were prior to the beginning of the downturn.

Accordingly, the foundation’s board of directors spent the majority of its time at the annual retreat and December meeting discussing, reviewing and approving a multiyear budget strategy and operational model. The approved budget strategy limits the impact reductions will have on our overall grantmaking, provides a multiyear time line to work back into a sustainable spending model, and maintains our long-term commitment to youth development. The operational model will focus on expanding partnerships with other funders — corporate, government and philanthropic — as well as our ongoing relationships with local and regional nonprofits. It also focuses on the development of new, sustainable business approaches best represented to date by our Nonprofit Innovation Center and partnership with Sierra Nevada Journeys to operate Grizzly Creek Ranch. In short, we have worked to address the biggest challenge of all — changing the ways in which we think, plan and act.

I must admit that we would have liked to start off the year in which we will celebrate our 25th anniversary on a more auspicious and celebratory note. Most importantly, we have decided to not succumb to the seemingly rational desire to disconnect from expressions of hope and renewal. While we recognize there are significant near-term challenges ahead, we remain confident that these times too shall pass. We also believe that we have no choice but to be creative, adaptable and willing to not be paralyzed by what is immediately before us. We expect these attributes will be the defining characteristics of the people and institutions that will be most effective at getting us beyond the current crisis.

Funding opportunities to be announced

We’ve received numerous inquiries about the Responsive Grants Program and are pleased to announce that this funding opportunity will be available in 2010, with a total of $1 million committed over two funding rounds. Competitive grants up to $25,000 will be available to nonprofit organizations and public agencies for health promotion and health care access programs and activities in our 26-county funding region. We plan to have the request for proposals for the first funding round available in early February.

In partnership with The California Endowment, Sierra Health will award a total of $75,000 in funds from The Endowment to support Capacity Building and Leadership Development for Minority-Led Organizations. Competitive grants up to $10,000 will be available to minority-led nonprofit organizations serving in our 26-county funding region. The request for proposals for this funding opportunity will be announced later this week.

We announce all funding opportunities on the Sierra Health Web site and by e-mail. To sign up for our mailing list, please complete our online mailing list form.

To learn about other Sierra Health programs, such as the Conference and Convening Program, Health Leadership Program and Grizzly Creek Ranch, visit Sierra Health’s Web site.

Nonprofit partners support 2010 Census outreach

by Tara Vang, Sierra Health Foundation Health Policy Intern

On Jan. 11, Sierra Health Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, The California Endowment, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees and Sacramento Region Community Foundation, hosted a Census Convening for key nonprofit organizations and public agencies that serve Sacramento and San Joaquin counties. About 80 community leaders attended the convening, representing more than 50 organizations that serve in the two counties.

The purpose of the convening was to: 1) provide an overview of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Sacramento County and San Joaquin County outreach strategy, 2) share materials and resources for outreach efforts to support a complete count of communities, and 3) build awareness and support networking between community-based organizations.

As trusted messengers, community leaders walked away with a message that participating in the census is safe, easy and benefits individuals, families and communities. As Catherine 'Ofa Mann, president of TOFA, Inc., concluded in her closing remarks, "Let it start with one — us. We need to fill out the census and be counted.” She also suggested that community leaders visualize themselves as rocks that create overlapping ripples when dropped in water, to remind everyone to continue outreach efforts for our communities.

Because undercounting is a serious concern in both Sacramento County and San Joaquin County, Sierra Health Foundation is pleased to join this collaborative effort to help ensure the most accurate census possible. See our Resources section below for links to Web sites that offer census information and resources.

REACH youth program now on Facebook

We’re pleased to announce the launch of the REACH youth program page on Facebook! Using the social networking site, youth and adults involved with the nine REACH Community Action coalitions now have an effective and fun way to communicate, collaborate and connect. The page includes a variety of useful information for young people and adults who work with youth — even if they aren’t directly involved with the REACH program.

If you already have a Facebook page, we invite you to become a REACH “fan” to start connecting with others or to comment on the information, photos and videos posted. Just go to www.facebook.com/reachyouthprogram. If you’re not yet a part of the social networking site, you may still view the page. We hope to see you on Facebook soon!

Save the date for Sierra Health’s 2010 Youth Conference

Planning has begun for our 2010 Youth Conference. Please plan to join us on Nov. 19 for this all-day event at Sacramento State’s University Union. We will announce conference and registration details in September.