Our Approach
Since 2017, we have been committed to promoting health equity across the 27 zip codes in our service region by investing in a collective vision of healthy communities and adapting our grantmaking strategies to support equitable recovery from the pandemic’s long-term impacts.
We prioritize health equity as our guiding principle and lens, funding organizations and collaborating on community-led solutions that create and expand opportunities for all members of our service region to live full, healthy and happy lives—no matter who they are or where they live.
As a health conversion foundation, we focus our support within a five-mile radius of MacNeal Hospital, encompassing 27 zip codes across Chicago and the western suburbs of Cook County, which are home to over 900,000 people.
During our strategic planning process in 2017, an in-depth analysis of hyperlocal health data highlighted a strong correlation between racial and ethnic inequities and health outcomes. Based on these findings, we prioritize funding for organizations and efforts that support communities facing the most significant health inequities, an area we refer to as our Legacy & Equity zone (in green).
Learn more about our service region:
Guided by our mission, vision and core values, we are committed to embedding equity in every aspect of our work.
This approach, rooted in trust-based philanthropy practices, is reflected in our grantmaking, learning, sharing of community stories, and investment of our endowment. It also shapes how we engage with grantee partners and build authentic relationships to drive systemic change.
Strategic Frameworks
Communications
We aim to offer resources that foster collaboration, enhance understanding, and provide meaningful support to our partners and community members across our service region.
Explore the resources below:
