Mercy’s Health Equity Fund awards support to 9 local non-profits

Mercy Medical Center is pleased to announce that, for the third consecutive year, it will be awarding funds from its Health Equity Fund to local nonprofit agencies. Mercy’s Health Equity Fund is designed to provide individuals in Linn County and seven surrounding communities with the opportunity to attain full health potential – regardless of social position or other socially defined circumstances – through assistance from local nonprofit organizations.

This year, the following nine nonprofits have been awarded a combined total of $169,500 in funds:

• HACAP Food Reservoir: $10,000
• Heritage Area Agency on Aging: $19,500
• Matthew 25 (Cultivate Hope Corner Store): $20,000
• Foundation 2: $20,000
• Waypoint: $20,000
• Catherine McAuley Center: $20,000
• Horizons: $20,000
• Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity: $20,000
• Catholic Charities: $20,000

“As a locally owned and operated hospital since 1900, Mercy is committed to the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” said Melissa Dean, Mercy Director of Health Equity & Community Partnerships. “Mercy recognizes the significant downstream influence of community conditions on an individual’s health. To advance health equity, we are pleased to support and partner with these local organizations that are engaging in strategies to address the root causes of poor health.”

Local organizations that applied for financial support could request funding for programs that focus on: access to behavioral health services; food insecurity; safe and affordable housing; or supporting individuals who are experiencing homelessness.

Mercy will present an award to each organization (in the order listed below) between 1:15 and 4 p.m. on Thurs., July 11:

• HACAP Food Reservoir, 1515 Hawkeye Dr., Hiawatha, IA 52233
• Heritage Area Agency on Aging, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
• Matthew 25 (Cultivate Hope Corner Store), 604 Ellis Blvd. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
• Foundation 2, 305 2nd Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
• Waypoint, 318 5th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
• Catherine McAuley Center, 1220 5th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
• Horizons, 819 5th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 
• Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity, 350 6th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

This award has already been presented:  

• Catholic Charities, 420 6^th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

Mercy’s vice president of mission integration will also be offering a blessing at each of the award presentation locations.

Since the fund’s inception in 2022, Mercy has given $476,500 to 19 community nonprofits working to advance health equity.