The five hospitals of Samaritan Health Services have awarded a total of $445,585 in Social Accountability grants to local service organizations, to be distributed during 2022.
Social Accountability grants are awarded within Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties. Funding
decisions are made by committees consisting of employees and board members at each
Samaritan-affiliated hospital. Funded programs address unmet needs of under-served
populations and improve overall community health.
Social Accountability grants are part of the larger Samaritan Community Benefit program, which encompasses the organization’s efforts to build healthier communities by providing direct and in-kind support for services such as health screenings, health professions education, health research and community health activities. The largest grant of more than $97,000 went to Northwest Coastal Housing based in Newport. The nonprofit that has served Lincoln County since 1991 redeveloped a 42-room hotel in Lincoln City using funds from a State of Oregon Project Turnkey grant. This is the second year Samaritan has supported the hotel project. This will be the final year of Samaritan’s yearly grant distribution. Starting in 2023 Samaritan will distribute three-year grants.
Community Benefit also encompasses the charity care that Samaritan provides to low-income
patients. To be eligible for Social Accountability grant funding, programs must:
Focus on unmet needs in underserved populations. Be located in and provide services within Benton, Lincoln and/or Linn counties. Be collaborative, involving partnerships with Samaritan or other local community organizations. Address a social determinant of health. Focus on prevention, with an emphasis on improving the health status in the community
that includes equity, diversity and inclusion. Focus on a specific program or project within the agency or organization. Use quality indicators to measure progress, report results and share them widely to attract more resources. Plan for self-sufficiency. Be fiscally responsible.
The following agencies received Social Accountability grants for 2022:
Lincoln County
Coastal Range Food Bank.
Food Share of Lincoln County.
Neighbors For Kids.
Northwest Coastal Housing Turnkey Temporary Housing Services.
Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments – Meals on Wheels.
Senior Corps of Linn, Benton and Lincoln Counties.
