The newly formed Regence Foundation, corporate foundation of The Regence Group, is dedicated to recognizing and promoting practices that will transform the health care system, and it is looking to partner with organizations in Idaho that share its vision. The Regence Foundation estimates it will contribute $2.5 million in its first year and $4 million per year thereafter to organizations addressing its three funding priorities: health care access and quality, the use of technology to engage and educate health care consumers and improvements to the way the health care system supports individuals and families during the end-of-life process.
The Foundation is currently accepting grant applications from organizations that improve health care access and quality, and it will soon accept applications from organizations that transform health care through consumer engagement and technological innovation. Later this year, it will also invite applications from organizations working to improve end-of-life issues. In conjunction with its recent launch, the Foundation also announced five employee-nominated inaugural grants of $10,000 each to organizations working to improve health care access and quality. In Idaho, the inaugural grant was awarded to the Snake River Community Clinic in Lewiston.
"With approximately 213,000 uninsured Idaho residents, we feel a special responsibility to partner with organizations - large or small -working to build healthier communities," said Mike Alexander, chair of The Regence Foundation's board of directors. "Our Foundation is committed to using the power of philanthropy to drive significant change in the health care system."
John Stellmon, President of Regence BlueShield of Idaho, is among the new Foundation's board members.
To learn more about The Regence Foundation, or for more information about applying for a grant, please visit www.regencefoundation.org.
