The Community Health Endowment Fund is a dedicated grantmaking program overseen by the Eau Claire Community Foundation (ECCF) to address pressing health needs and reduce disparities in the Eau Claire County area. This fund was created by consolidating multiple legacy endowments from the now-closed HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital. The fund aligns with Catholic values and continues the mission of compassionate, community-centered health support long championed by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis Foundation.

ECCF now stewards more than $9 million in health-focused charitable assets through this fund, including $4.5 million in previously established endowments and an additional $4.8 million from the Healing Place Endowment and Fund, now merged into the Monsignor Klimek Healing Presence Endowment. These funds support a wide range of health-focused needs such as cancer care, behavioral health, emergency services, cardiac and pediatric care, grief services, holistic healing, and more.

Grants from the Community Health Endowment Fund Grant Cycle are awarded to nonprofit organizations that serve Eau Claire County residents and demonstrate a commitment to improving healthcare access, quality, and equity. Though specific application deadlines and funding amounts are not detailed in the excerpt, ECCF emphasizes that these grants are mission-aligned and aimed at closing health disparities.

To ensure community-driven direction for these funds, HSHS and the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis Foundation have partnered with AMK Nonprofit Coaching LLC to conduct an evaluation of local health and healing needs, particularly in the areas of grief support and holistic wellness. This process will inform future funding priorities and strategies.

Nonprofits interested in applying for support through this fund must serve Eau Claire County and align with the fund’s healthcare-related focus areas. For inquiries or support, ECCF can be contacted at (715) 552-3801 or through their website.