Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Invests $1.8 Million to Bolster Critical Community Health Initiatives Across Puget Sound

Feb. 24, 2026

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) today announced a commitment of $1.8 million to 29 local nonprofits, awarded through its 2026 Community Health Improvement Grants program. This marks the third consecutive year VMFH has invested in Puget Sound area nonprofits, funding initiatives that directly address urgent community health needs including access to care, behavioral health, chronic disease management, and violence prevention.

"Our Community Health Improvement Grants are one of the ways we demonstrate Virginia Mason Franciscan Health's deep commitment to building healthy communities," said Julie Manas, President of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and CommonSpirit Health's Northwest Region. "This investment reflects our mission to improve health and advance social justice, directly strengthening local organizations that are doing incredible work to support families and communities in our own backyard."

The grants align with needs identified in VMFH's comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessments. The 2026 Community Health Improvement Grant awardees include:

"We are incredibly proud to once again partner with local nonprofits to help improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve," said Doug Baxter-Jenkins, Region Director, Community Health. "This year, the urgency of addressing food insecurity felt more acute than ever, and so many of the grants we selected will help create more sustainable food systems and break down barriers to accessing healthy foods.”

VMFH believes that change must be driven by the community, not from the outside in. “We are not just funding programs; we are working with our communities to create a healthier future for every person in our region,” added Baxter-Jenkins. 

The grants will aid organizations in launching new initiatives and expanding vital services to support underserved and vulnerable populations. Bremerton Foodline’s “Groceries On the Go” will combat food insecurity and social isolation by delivering free, nutritious groceries directly to homebound seniors. The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle (ULMS) will launch its Safe Futures Initiative, a 12-month violence and injury prevention program targeting high-risk neighborhoods. Phenomenal She will leverage funding to provide crucial mental health services tailored for young women, in collaboration with the Federal Way School District and Black Butterfly Counseling, addressing unique challenges through culturally responsive care.

This year, VMFH received 156 grant applications. A robust grants review committee, composed of more than 50 VMFH colleagues and patient-family partners from across the health system, diligently reviewed and scored all applications, creating a thoughtful and equitable selection process. The VMFH Community Health Improvement Grants program is funded by contributions from all eight VMFH hospitals and in partnership with CommonSpirit Health. 

About Virginia Mason Franciscan Health

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) is an integrated health system serving the Puget Sound region, including 10 hospitals and 300 care sites. Founded in 1891, VMFH embraces its long history of caring for the most vulnerable, especially the poor and underserved, and meeting the evolving health care needs of the vibrant, diverse communities it serves. VMFH is a proud home to the Bailey-Boushay House, the first skilled nursing and outpatient chronic care management program in the United States designed specifically to meet the needs of people with HIV/AIDS, and the Benaroya Research Institute, an internationally recognized institution for autoimmune disease research. VMFH is part of CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation’s largest health systems, dedicated to advancing health for all people.