Grossmont Healthcare District to host community grants Q&A 

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The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), a public agency that supports various nonprofit health-related community programs and services in the East County Region, will host a free question-and-answer forum about its community grants program from 4-5 p.m., Tuesday, June 19, at the GHD Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa.

Community-based healthcare organizations providing health-related services to local residents are invited to attend to learn more about GHD’s community grants program.

The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), a public agency that supports various nonprofit health-related community programs and services in the East County Region, will host a free question-and-answer forum about its community grants program from 4-5 p.m., Tuesday, June 19, at the GHD Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa.

Community-based healthcare organizations providing health-related services to local residents are invited to attend to learn more about GHD’s community grants program.

Since 1996, GHD has supported community-based nonprofit organizations, as well as the publicly owned Sharp Grossmont Hospital, with more than $52 million in grants and sponsorships.

About half of the funds have gone to local nonprofit, health-related organizations while the other half has enhanced services at Sharp Grossmont Hospital with things such as state of the art medical equipment purchases.

GHD’s board of directors recently approved a budget allocation of $2.3 million for grants and sponsorships for the 2018-2019 fiscal year, beginning July 1.

According to the GHD grants policy, applications for grants from nonprofits will be accepted between July 1 and Dec. 30, 2018.

GHD officials said the July 19 forum is designed to help organizations determine their eligibility for the upcoming 2018-2019 grants cycle.

“We’re proud to support the efforts of local community healthcare organizations that help build better lives for our East Region residents,” said Michael Emerson, GHD board president. “We look forward to having District staff answer questions from potential applicants.” 

Emerson said the GHD board, when awarding grants, generally places more emphasis on those programs providing direct, hands-on patient care within GHD boundaries, or when an organization is addressing health needs based on regional community health needs assessments, or when organizations are collaborating together to provide similar services. 

“We also are an active supporter of health education and training for the benefit of future generations,” Emerson said. “A portion of the overall grants and sponsorships budget is allocated every year for scholarship programs benefiting high school and college students.”

GHD, formed in 1952 to build Grossmont Hospital, is a public agency that owns the hospital’s buildings and property on behalf of local taxpayers.

Since 1991, GHD has leased the hospital’s operations and management to Sharp HealthCare via a public-private partnership.

The District is governed by a five-member board of directors, each elected to four-year terms, who represent more than 500,000 people residing within the District’s 750 square miles in San Diego’s East County.

For more information about GHD, visit www.grossmonthealthcare.org.