Past grant recipients
Improving lives for 25 years
The UCare Foundation improves the lives of UCare members and their communities through grants that address community health needs. For the last 25 years, our grant-making supported initiatives that furthered the health of underserved individuals — including seniors, people with disabilities, children and families across Minnesota.
We are proud to present recent grant recipients and the vital initiatives they championed to eliminate food insecurity, advance health equity, address social isolation in seniors, promote culturally competent health care and more.
UCare Foundation Community Grants in 2022
Food insecurity
Twin Cities Mobile Market, a Food Group program bringing healthy, affordable fresh foods to Twin Cities neighborhoods at festivals and other events in the Twin Cities — currently expanding delivery routes and service area to urban food deserts
Health equity
Circles of Health & Wellbeing program to empower and inspire immigrant and refugee women to embrace their own health and wellbeing, and improve their and their families’ long-term health and wellbeing
Somali Community Resettlement program in Olmsted County to increase the program’s capacity to serve and provide health care programming to new immigrant seniors, families and individuals
Support for Leap Pediatric and Adolescent Care to begin a pregnant/new parent support program and expand community outreach, collaboration and education in its community experiencing profound health disparities
Loppet Foundation’s Loppet Run365 to support seven competitive running programs for all ages and skill levels
Outreach
Stratis Health’s Culture Care Connection, an online learning and resource center providing leading tools to build skills and knowledge that help health care professionals be responsive to and supportive of the diverse communities they serve
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota's Senior Companion Services assists older adults so they can remain healthy and active in their own homes for as long as possible
UCare Foundation Community Grants in 2021
Food insecurity
Second Harvest Heartland, supporting COVID-19 response to end hunger through free meal distributions from the Minnesota Central Kitchen (MCK) caterers and restaurateurs
Twin Cities Mobile Market, a Food Group program bringing healthy, affordable fresh foods to Twin Cities neighborhoods at festivals and other events in the Twin Cities — at times paired with free health screenings aboard the UCare Healthmobile
Health and racial equity
Circles of Health & Wellbeing program to empower and inspire immigrant and refugee women to embrace their own health and wellbeing and improve their and their families’ long-term health and wellbeing
Minnesota Medical Association Health Equity Project to mitigate bias among physicians and health care professionals and support the adoption of anti-racist cultures among Minnesota health care providers
Somali Community Resettlement program in Olmsted County to increase the program’s capacity to serve and provide health care programming to new immigrant seniors, families and individuals
Senior health
Lutheran Social Service — Senior companion visits, support and advocacy to reduce social isolation for aging neighbors in the Twin Cities, Brainerd and Duluth, plus offering assistance such as transportation to medical/dental appointments and help with errands
Workforce development
Minnesota Hospital Association initiative to address health care staff shortages by developing a standardized roadmap and toolkit of best practices to develop health care organizations’ workforce across the continuum of care
UCare Foundation Community Grants in 2020
Local needs
U Health & Learning Express mobile service in Carver County to provide holistic health care and learning opportunities for vulnerable residents where they live
Community Paramedic home visit programs with Fairview Health Services and North Memorial Health addressing gaps in care for patients not served effectively through traditional primary care
Open Cities Health Center crisis funding to enable this safety net clinic to continue providing needed services to UCare and community members
Health equity
Health equity training programs at Children’s Minnesota to educate employees about inclusive and equitable patient care and at Park Nicollet to assist staff with managing bias, identifying social determinants of health and exercising cultural humility
Justice-involved families initiative with Anoka County to reduce negative impacts for children of parents involved with the criminal justice system by offering parenting skills training and school-based support
Housing and wellbeing fund for homeless or at-risk individuals in St. Louis County to reduce barriers and support people in getting housing and support for mental health needs
Twin Cities Mobile Market, a Wilder Foundation program bringing affordable fresh and healthy foods to Twin Cities neighborhoods where there is a scarcity of grocery stores
Immigrant health
Somali Circles of Health & Wellbeing program to support Somali women’s and families’ whole health through customized resources and education around cooking, exercise, nutrition and accessing health care
Portico Healthnet bridge funding to support capacity to offer culturally-competent health care enrollment services in response to community needs
Somali Community Resettlement Services program in Olmsted County to improve the overall health of seniors, adults and children with culturally appropriate care
Mental health
Postpartum depression support group in Duluth offering a safe, supporting space for pregnant and postpartum women to receive connection, education and referrals, and enhanced peer recovery services for pregnant women using substances as part of Hennepin County’s Project Child
Promoting mental health and health equity in Dakota County through funding for school projects addressing substance use, physical activity, nutrition, suicide prevention and first-aid training
Medication Assisted Treatment and mental health services to reduce opioid use and address underlying mental health conditions among underserved and inmate populations in Ramsey County, Scott County and the Washington County Jail
Mental health redesign at Allina Health to bolster suicide prevention, follow up and safety planning for patients admitted with suicidal urges
Aging
Lutheran Social Service Senior Companion Services providing companionship to UCare Medicare members, and funding to assess impact of the program on member loneliness, health and independence
Thriving Minds and Healthy Aging initiative in Carlton County to increase community awareness, empower individuals living with dementia and support caregivers