Impact

October 19, 2022

FORT BRAGG, CA — The Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation) is celebrating our community’s success, thanks to its resourceful new initiative to invest in federal funding for coastal health and wellness greatest needs. A total of $1,440,060 was awarded in USDA grant funding to benefit Comptche Volunteer Fire Department, Fort Bragg High School, Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center, Parents and Friends, Inc., The Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County, and Adventist Health Mendocino Coast. An additional $199,500 was awarded directly to MCHFoundation.

Last year, MCHFoundation learned of the USDA Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program, which provides up to $500 million nationwide to community-based nonprofits that primarily serve rural areas. This time-sensitive opportunity specifically offered funding to expand and support COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and telehealth capacity—all substantial needs for organizations serving the Mendocino Coast.

Based on community listening sessions, MCHFoundation prepared to apply for nearly $1 million in funding on behalf of community organizations with important needs identified. However, further research revealed that independent grant applications from each nonprofit could yield substantially more USDA funding.

MCHFoundation quickly pivoted and stepped forward to craft grant narratives and budgets, and ultimately facilitated submissions that helped each of the following organizations secure funding:

• Comptche Volunteer Fire Department received a USDA Community Facilities Grant award of $49,900 to enhance critical infrastructure and equipment.
• Fort Bragg High School received an award of $51,800 to expand its Pay it Forward Food Pantry.
• Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center received an award of $140,960 for telehealth services, food distribution, and COVID-19 testing.
• Parents and Friends, Inc. received an award of $450,100 to expand COVID-19 testing and vaccinations for staff, as well as for community members with developmental disabilities.
• The Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County received an award of $25,000 to support COVID-19 treatment and testing for high-risk cancer patients.

MCHFoundation also connected Adventist Health Mendocino Coast with grant representatives and resources to help initiate their submission process. As a result, Adventist Health was awarded $722,300 to support staff wages and equipment needed to treat COVID-19 patients. The award will also help with the operation of a mobile health clinic that will improve access to care in underserved areas within the community.

Each recipient is required to invest more in its project than just what was funded by the USDA grant—through fundraising efforts, additional grant submissions, etc.—yielding an even greater impact on the communities being served.

This initiative provided MCHFoundation with a unique, powerful opportunity to strategically support health and wellness above and beyond the scope of its own annual grant awards.

“We learned that many of these organizations struggle to respond to federal funding opportunities due to immediacy of client needs and capacity challenges,” shared Mary Kate McKenna, CFRE, Executive Director of MCHFoundation. “We’re proud to expand our mission by offering staff time and expertise to our coastal nonprofit partners to enhance and support the essential care they deliver to our community.”

MCHFoundation donors gave $50,000 in gifts to cover the cost of staff hours required for the grant submission process—an incredible show of support for the team’s responsive solution to leverage staff time for a significant return on investment. The health and wellness partners were thrilled to have additional resources to help.

As well, MCHFoundation provided over $45,455 in matching funds for these grant submissions.

“We would not have been able to avail ourselves of this opportunity without MCHFoundation’s extreme assistance,” said Karen Oslund, Executive Director of The Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County.

With the grant award, CRC will be able to launch a telehealth program and purchase a vehicle to ensure transportation barriers don’t prevent cancer patients from receiving care. In addition, the funding will assist patients who do not have their own computer or internet to connect with their doctors via CRC technology.

The USDA grant award of $199,500 to MCHFoundation will be used to support salaries for staff distributing COVID-19 test kits, as well as for equipment and software needed to input community data more efficiently.

To support MCHFoundation, please make a gift online or call 707-961-4671.

Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation (MCHFoundation), located in Fort Bragg, is a non-profit with a mission to support the health and wellness of the Mendocino Coast communities. MCHFoundation provides a path for community investment in the health and wellness of our coastal region.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to support our work by contributing or becoming a volunteer, please visit MCHFoundation.org or contact our team at [email protected] or 707-961-4688.

Please note MCHFoundation’s new address: 130 N. Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437