Methodist Healthcare Ministries awards $32 million in annual health care grants

San Antonio (July 1, 2020) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.– a private, faith-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for low-income families and the uninsured – has awarded $32 million in community grant funding to 92 nonprofit agencies across its 74-county service area. This grant funding is part of the organization’s $108.8 million 2020 investment used to support the community through direct services provided through clinical operations and regional staff, as well as the development of community partnerships. View 2020 funded partners.

Given annually, these grants are rooted in partnerships that support access to care, integrated delivery systems and patient-centered models. In partnership with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), safety-net clinics, counseling services and regional community projects, Methodist Healthcare Ministries' goal is to create measurable impact at the community and regional levels to further establish health care networks. Awards are aligned with one of the organization’s strategic objectives: High Functioning Primary Care, Clinical-Community Connections, Access to Health, Families of Solution, Community-Church Hubs and Strategic Cross-Sector Collaboration.

Since April, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has also awarded $1.5 million in emergency funding to support COVID-19 relief efforts by 46 agencies and organizations across South Texas.

“Methodist Healthcare Ministries endeavors to fulfill its mission of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God’ and our 2020 funding is targeted towards building health equity across South Texas to help the least served obtain access to quality health care,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “The strategic partners we have engaged will further our efforts to support the growth of resilient families and the creation of thriving communities throughout our service region, leading to increasing access to quality care for the least served.”

Funding is allocated to approximately 129 grant programs to deepen collaborative efforts, incentivize quality health outcomes, leverage and strengthen health care delivery systems and promote sustainable systems change.

The single largest area of giving this year is to High Functioning Primary Care, with more than $12.8 million awarded to support community-centered primary care health homes that address physical, mental, social and spiritual needs of patients & engage in improving community health & wellbeing. Funding Access to Care is the second largest area with awards totaling $6.5 million to support improving access to health care for those in need in medically underserved areas.

San Antonio-based CommuniCare Health Centers received two grants totaling just over $2 million in 2020. One grant provides primary and preventive care services in Bexar County, with an emphasis on integrated and preventive care. The second grant supports dental services for the uninsured and to assess the impact it has on outcomes for medical and behavioral health patients. CommuniCare has been a funded partner of Methodist Healthcare Ministries since 1996 and has received over $34.5 million in grant funding over the years.

“CommuniCare Health Centers is proud to be a Methodist Healthcare Ministries grant recipient,” said Paul Nguyen, President & CEO of CommuniCare Health Centers. “Over the past several years, our partnership has allowed us to improve the health of thousands who are less fortunate, and this has helped us achieve a measurably impact on the health and wellness of the communities we serve. The funding that CommuniCare receives gives patients access to the Integrated Health Improvement & Prevention Program, which allows uninsured patients with chronic conditions to utilize our medical and dental services. Our patients are very appreciative of this program and have access to continuity and quality care in Bexar county. As a grantee, CommuniCare is able to improve patient health outcomes and successfully educate the community on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.” 

Methodist Healthcare Ministries seeks partnerships that align with its mission and services and support its objectives. Methodist Healthcare Ministries' board of directors oversees the selection of funded partners and requests are considered on an annual basis by invitation only; unsolicited proposals are not accepted.

The largest award for 2020 is $4.7 million for the South Texas Regional Advisory Council’s (STRAC) South Texas Crisis Collaborative (STCC)’s operations, infrastructure and programming. STCC is a unique and unprecedented partnership between local health systems, mental health care providers, public safety agencies and philanthropy that is improving the continuum of care for the most vulnerable residents – unfunded and underfunded patients experiencing mental illness, homelessness and/or chronic illness.

Since inception, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has invested more than $356 million in grant-making to improve community health care in its 74-county service area – which makes up 29 percent of Texas counties.

In addition to grant-making, Methodist Healthcare Ministries seeks to increase access to health care through advocacy and direct services. Methodist Healthcare Ministries operates two San Antonio-based primary health care clinics: Wesley Health & Wellness Center and Dixon Health & Wellness Center, and two School Based Health Centers: School Based Health Center at Krueger Elementary and School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary. The clinics address the needs of low-income families and the uninsured by providing services at no cost or on a sliding fee scale. The health care services Methodist Healthcare Ministries provides are a cornerstone of its charitable purpose of creating access to care.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries' mission also includes its one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System—the largest healthcare system in South Texas. This creates a unique avenue to ensure the Methodist Healthcare System continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all, and revenue to Methodist Healthcare Ministries for its programs and services.

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