Community Benefit

Community Benefit positions Kaiser Permanente to fulfill its social mission, as a not-for-profit organization, of enhancing the health of our communities. In 2004, Kaiser Permanente’s total National Community Benefit Investment equaled $825 million, and Kaiser Permanente contributed $380 million in community benefit across Northern California.

In the San Mateo Service Area, Kaiser Permanente contributed $6 million in community benefit across San Mateo County (2005). We develop and manage the budgets, provide oversight, and ensure regulatory compliance of Community Benefit programs. We also coordinate and support Community Benefit programs throughout the service area, developing and leading specific initiatives and managing the grants program.

• Improving the health of the communities we serve is fundamental to who we are as an organization
• KP has a 60 year heritage of community involvement and is actively engaged in long-term commitments to help build healthy communities
• KP’s heritage of prevention includes programs that target: obesity and chronic care management of asthma and diabetes
• KP believes in expanded access of health care and coverage to all with programs that provide assistance to the underinsured and uninsured (child health care, safety-net)
• KP’s Community Benefit program is committed to not just reducing, but eradicating disparities in health care particularly for populations at risk due to racial and ethnic disparities
• Community Benefit expands the boundaries of our commitments to include environmental stewardship (Farmers’ Markets)

Is my Organization Eligible for a KP Grant?

Grants Requests are reviewed by the Community Benefit Advisory Board, comprised of medical center leadership, providers and staff, on a regular basis. Grant programs and projects are linked to medical center facility specific health-related needs and priorities. These priorities are guided by a tri-annual community needs assessment provided by Kaiser Permanente, San Mateo County Health Department, The Hospital Consortium and other key community stakeholders.

Health Priorities for 2006 in SSF:

• Preventing overweight and obesity in children and their families
• Health Access

Health Priorities for 2006 in RWC:

• Preventing overweight and obesity in children and their families
• Preventing heart disease and stroke

The next San Mateo County Community Needs Assessment is currently being prepared and will be released in mid 2007.

If your organization's mission falls into one of the categories above you may be eligible for a grant through your local community benefit program.

To find out more about how your organization can apply for a grant please contact:

Stephan H. Wahl
Community Health and Benefit Manager
Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers
San Mateo Area
395 Hickey Blvd.
Daly City, CA 94015
(650) 301 - 4551

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