As part of the Catholic Healthcare West network, St. Bernardine Medical Center will be offering community grants of up to $25,000 for nonprofit organizations who provide health services to underserved populations such as the economically disadvantaged, women and children, mentally or physically disabled individuals, or other disenfranchised individuals.

The objective is to encourage programs that integrate the following principles:
· Focus on disproportionate unmet health-related needs
· Emphasize primary prevention and address underlying causes of health problems
· Contribute to a seamless continuum of care
· Build community capacity
· Emphasize collaborative governance

Eligible organizations must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with a project or program in response to a health priority identified in the St. Bernardine Medical Center community health assessment and must involve collaboration with other community organizations, or with St. Bernardine Medical Center.

We welcome all organizations that are eligible and encourage you to submit a letter of intent by the deadline of August 22, 2008.

Details on eligibility and criteria for the letter can be obtained by calling Kathleen McDonnell at 909.475.5083. Additional information is also available at www.chwHEALTH.org/communitygrants.