The Franciscan Foundation announced today that it distributed approximately $250,000 in community grants during the previous 12 months to a multitude of local organizations and programs that strive to create healthier communities.

“We are proud to support local organizations and their programs that help fulfill the Franciscan mission,” said Foundation President Jon Flora. “By working together and supporting each other, we are able to accomplish more for the benefit of the entire community than any entity could by working alone.”

The Foundation is the philanthropic unit of the not-for-profit Franciscan Health System that includes St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way, St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood, St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor, Enumclaw Regional Hospital, and Franciscan Hospice House. The Foundation uses unrestricted earnings on investments to support its annual community grants program. Recipients of Franciscan grants are not required to repay the amounts.

Between April and June 2009 alone, the Franciscan Foundation earmarked more than $90,000 for organizations including St. Leo Emergency Services in Tacoma; Special Olympics of Washington; Reach Out (which provides shelter for homeless men in Federal Way); and the Healing Places Counseling Center.

“The need for services that benefit individuals, families and communities has increased as the economy has weakened,” Flora said. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Franciscan Foundation is blessed to be in a financial position that enables us to extend a supportive, helping hand to our neighbors in need.”

Other recipients of Franciscan Foundation grants between July 2008 and June 2009 included Enumclaw Regional Healthcare Foundation; Sisters of St. Francis Foundation; Associated Ministries of Tacoma-Pierce County; Communities in Schools of Tacoma; Tacoma-Area Coalition for Individuals with Disabilities; Emergency Food Network; Toy Rescue Mission; Trinity Neighborhood Health Clinic; Goodwill Industries of Tacoma; Read2Me; Tacoma-Pierce County Chaplaincy; Plateau Outreach Ministries; Honor My Wishes; University of Washington-Tacoma Nurse Scholarships; and Young Life’s Military Family Camp at Malibu.

“The fabric of our community is strengthened when we act with reverence, compassion and purpose,” Flora said. “The Franciscan mission directs us to work toward the creation of healthier communities. This is our compass."

“As an organization, the Franciscan Health System fulfills its special mission through the care we provide in our hospitals and clinics; through our many outreach programs that benefit the underserved; and by financially supporting programs that offer help and inspire hope,” he added. “We believe our community is a better place as a result.”