Posts in 'Social Safety Net'

woman in face mask grocery shopping

HealthSpark Foundation Awards Additional $200,000 for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Tuesday, June 16, 2020
HealthSpark Foundation is proud to announce $209,000 in grant awards to relief and recovery efforts for communities impacted by COVID-19. This brings the Foundation’s total support for COVID-related investments to $259,000 since March 2020. The Montco Anti-Hunger Network will receive a grant of $50...
protest sign reading fight for a better tomorrow today

Community Partners Join HealthSpark in Building Back a Better Safety Net System

Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Together with forty-one community partners, HealthSpark Foundation has launched an effort to rebuild the social safety net post-pandemic called Build Back Better. Partner organizations, which represent nonprofit safety net providers, universities, faith groups, advocacy groups, elected officials...
peaceful protest black lives matter

A Call for Bold Action on Racial Justice

Tuesday, June 2, 2020
The murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and the ensuing protests are the manifestation of the deep, longstanding pain of racism in our country. Frustration, anger, and violence at this scale happen when peaceful forms of protest aren’t listened to, when calls for action and...
abstract art building blocks of pink yellow green and blue

Going back to normal isn't good enough. We need to Build Back Better.

Tuesday, April 28, 2020
“When one's life has been shattered into a million pieces, most set out to pick up the pieces & rebuild. Others look at those broken pieces & decide this is their opportunity to start anew, the bigger picture comes into view.” ― Sanjo Jendayi, author and spoken word artist The COVID-19 pandemic has...
abstract art building blocks of pink yellow green and blue

Build Back Better

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken our communities, our workplaces, and our families. The pandemic is laying bare the historic disinvestment in public health and social safety net systems as well as the stark inequities in our society. Our safety net sector is experiencing a uniquely stressful moment as demand for safety net services skyrockets, while long-term funding for these critical resources remains at risk. As we continue through these times of uncertainty, we are all anxious to return to the normal life we knew before.

abstract art building blocks of pink yellow green and blue

Build Back Better Design Teams

The Design Team completed its final meeting on July 29, 2020, and is now preparing to share its recommendations with community partners. Check out our Events page for upcoming opportunities.

As part of Build Back Better, HealthSpark gathered representatives from service providers, faith communities, public agencies, and elected officials to work together in a Design Team to:

mom and baby sitting inside

Second Round of MontCoPA COVID-19 Response Fund Grants Awarded, Bringing Total to $212,000

Friday, April 17, 2020
The second round of MontCoPA COVID-19 Response Fund grants have been awarded, bringing the total amount of grant funds awarded to $212,000. A total of 63 nonprofit organizations have received grant awards through the MontCoPA COVID-19 Response Fund since its opening on March 26, 2020. Grant funds...
woman holding baby

Over $140,000 in Grants Awarded to Montgomery County COVID-19 Relief Efforts

Friday, April 10, 2020
With its partners, HeathSpark awarded the first round of grants through the MontCoPA COVID-19 Response Fund two weeks after opening the Fund for grant applications. A total of $141,500 has been awarded to 41 nonprofit organizations as part of a community-driven effort to support the immediate needs...
dandelion in front of sunset

Early lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic

Thursday, April 2, 2020
By Russell Johnson, President and CEO The Covid-19 pandemic caught the world by surprise. While epidemiologists created scenarios of how a pandemic might impact local communities, the reality of its length is just starting to sink in. Many of us are sheltering in place and practicing social...
man and woman

HealthSpark Signs Council On Foundation's Pledge for Philanthropy During COVID-19

Thursday, April 2, 2020
Joining more than 400 national foundations, HealthSpark Foundation has signed on to the Council on Foundation's Call to Action for Philanthropy During COVID-19. The Pledge outlines the actions that signatories agree to follow during the pandemic, centering flexibility, responsiveness, and equity in...