Philanthropy. In action.
Health Forward Foundation is igniting a culture of health by tackling pressing issues for those most in need. Through partnership and advocacy, we are working to transform communities so everyone has an opportunity for better health. Since it began grantmaking in 2005, Health Forward has awarded approximately $270 million to agencies addressing health needs in the community.
Our Purpose
Every day we work to support and build inclusive, powerful, and healthy communities characterized by racial equity and economically just systems.
Our Mission
Achieve health equity and secure a fair and just region through leadership, advocacy, and resources.
Purpose areas
A desire for change, for racial and economic equity, and for healthier communities lies at the core of every effort we undertake.
USING OUR PLATFORM
To advance racial equity and economic inclusion, Health Forward is partnering with local governments and funders to center equity and race in all policies, systems, and decisions.
We are reshaping the way people understand and talk about racial, economic, and health equity. And we are aligning our invested resources in a way that advances our purpose and has a positive impact on the people and communities we serve.
Our intended impact
The impact we seek will not happen overnight. We know change is possible if we come together as a community and strategically focus our efforts to move toward systems that benefit all of us.
A purpose-driven approach to community health
Healthy people need healthy communities. We recognize that health equity, racial justice, and economic inclusion overlap. We cannot have one without the other. We also recognize that our effort to build racial equity and economically just systems commits us to changing the systems under which we all live. These changes mean healthier people, an increase in community power, and creating equitable and just places.
Where we make our impact
Health Forward forms community partnerships in, urban, suburban, and rural communities on both sides of the state line.
- Cass County
- Jackson County
- Kansas City, MO (including portions of Clay and Platte counties)
- Lafayette County
Kansas
- Allen County
- Johnson County
- Wyandotte County
Health Forward’s funding service area was established by the Missouri State Attorney General in 2002 and is made up of the communities previ
