Methodist Healthcare Ministries is excited to share the details of the next chapter in Community Investments grantmaking.

OUR JOURNEY

Last year, Community Investments took time to examine current philanthropic industry best practices, identify gaps in the service-area resource landscape, and consider how MHM grant support can be most impactful in serving the least served.

Building upon MHM’s health equity strategy, we incorporated equitable grantmaking principles to reduce administrative burdens for grantees and to provide more flexible funding. We sought and incorporated feedback from stakeholders across our region and within our organization. Many of you joined our effort by providing your feedback, and we are grateful. As a result, we will introduce new approaches to grantmaking starting in our 2025 grant cycle. These changes will continue going forward, and MHM will seek new ways to continue our improvement journey.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Two types of grant funding will be offered for the 2025 grant cycle.

• Open Grant Cycle: Proposals are welcomed from organizations serving communities within our 74-county service area. Applications selected for funding will align to priorities within each focus area as outlined by the Community Investment’s Theories of Change. The Theories of Change will provide clarity and offer potential measures for each focus area with the intent to inform the scope of applications, clearly communicate MHM priorities, and ultimately result in a more efficient and transparent process for grant applicants.
•  Cornerstone Grants: As illustrated in Isaiah 28:16, a Cornerstone serves as a critical beginning block in construction that provides a strong foundation to build upon as well as directional alignment. In this spirit of strong foundations, MHM will offer invitation-only Cornerstone Grants to select Access to Care and Food Security long-term partners who have consistently demonstrated outcomes aligned to Community Investment's Theories of Change. Cornerstone invitations will be sent directly to organization contacts.

Applications for both grant types must align with one of our six focus areas:

• Access to Care: Mental & Behavioral Health
• Access to Care: General
• Digital Equity
• Food Security
• Housing
• Education & Workforce Development

Both grant types will follow a new payment schedule to move away from cost reimbursement, with no transactional documentation required for fund disbursements. We hope these changes will relieve some administrative burden and allow you and your teams to focus your time and effort on serving our community.

2025 GRANT CYCLE TIMELINE

MHM will launch the 2025 grant cycle beginning in September of 2024.

Additional information will be available on the MHM website in early September, including the link to the open grant cycle application and information to register for the Grant Cycle Webinar.

Current Grantees: We encourage current MHM grantees to reach out to your respective program officers to discuss your proposal. We look forward to learning about your great work.

New Applicants: New applicants may contact the Community Investments team at CommInvestments@mhm.org beginning September 1st to schedule a time to discuss your application.

Thank you for your work in your community and your partnership as we seek to improve wellness among the least served!

San Antonio (July 9, 2024) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) announced the addition of three new members to its board of directors who guide the nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to improving the well-being of the least served since 1995. New board members began their three-year term on June 26.    

“I am honored to serve on this board with an incredible group of caring servants, equally committed to helping this organization advance health equity so that more people throughout the 74 counties we serve can reach their fullest potential for health and life,” said Michael Porter, newly elected Chair of the Board of Directors for Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “I am excited to welcome these outstanding and gifted individuals to our board and look forward to seeing the impact they will surely impart on this organization as it heads into its 30^th year of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God.’”  

The three new board members include:  

• Erica Benites Giese – Attorney at Jackson Walker  
• Rev. Greg Hackett – Retired pastor with the Rio Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church 
• Rev. Candice Parry – Pastor at the First United Methodist Church of Carrizo Springs 

Rev. Hackett is returning to serve on the board of MHM after previously serving from 2017 to 2023. The other two members are new to the board and organization.  

MHM Board Members play a vital role in setting the direction and guiding the organization to advance a more level playing field for health in 74 counties across Texas. Since 1995, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has provided more than $1.67 billion in health care services through its clinical programs, as well as through partnerships, and is one of the largest private funding sources for community health care to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas. As 50-50 co-owner of Methodist Healthcare, MHM board members play an important oversight role in the governance of the healthcare system ensuring it provides quality care to all regardless of ability to pay. The earnings from the co-ownership of the health system allows Methodist Healthcare Ministries to fund efforts that strengthen communities and families, provide clinical care to the uninsured and the economically disadvantaged, and promote a more level playing field for healthy living—now and for generations to come.  

Board members serve three-year terms and may serve up to three consecutive terms. In addition to serving on the general board, they also serve on one standing committee, such as the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Governance Committee, Mission Committee, Investment Committee and Operations Committee. The board currently has 26 regular board directors and can have no more than 27 regular board directors at a given time. The board bylaws also dictate that at least 60 percent of the Regular Directors be members of The United Methodist Church.  

“Methodist Healthcare Ministries is broadening the definition of health care as we continue our efforts to advance health equity throughout the communities we serve,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “These new board members will bless us with the leadership and the unique talents they will impart in the coming years, as we strive to improve the lives of the least served so all have an opportunity to thrive.”  

###  

About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.  

Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of health care by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive. 

(San Antonio, TX April 15, 2024) – In 2024, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) is investing $181.1 million to advance health equity, strengthen communities and impact systemic change across its 74-county service area. That amount includes direct services, community investments, the development of community partnerships and advocacy initiatives that create a more level playing field for individuals to thrive. The organization’s 2024 commitment represents an increase of 21% from its 2023 investment.  

That $181.1 million propels a strategic focus on advancing health equity, the framework of thought and action guiding the organization’s efforts to address systemic inequities and socio-economic barriers that keep people from living their healthiest lives.   

“At Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we are realizing our bold mission of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God’ through the programs and services we offer, the diverse geography we cover and the incredible communities we serve,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. "This investment is a clear reflection of the various ways our board of directors and our 500+ team members are broadening the definition of health care every day for patients, clients, and communities we serve.​”

MHM’s mission also includes its one-half ownership of Methodist Healthcare—the largest healthcare system in South Texas. The ownership structure ensures Methodist Healthcare continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all, and earnings to MHM to care for the uninsured and economically disadvantaged throughout its 74-county service area. 

MHM allocates its $181.1M budget across various key areas of investment- Grants, Strategic Operating Initiatives, Direct Services, and administrative costs that support these areas. This allocation ensures the organization delivers on its mission, vision, and strategy effectively. To ensure its investment has the highest level of community impact, MHM has consistently kept its administrative expenses below 15% - which is required to receive the highest possible score from Charity Navigator for analysis.

Grants: 

For 2024, MHM has apportioned $54.5 million in community grants to over 174 nonprofit organizations and municipalities. MHM’s goal is to help create and sustain healthy communities by supporting organizations that address the community conditions in which we are born, grow, live, and work, otherwise known as the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH).

MHM aims to help create and sustain healthy communities by supporting grant recipients addressing one of the following priority areas: access to care, mental and behavioral health; digital equity; food security; housing; education and workforce development. 

MHM’s grantmaking strives to deepen collaborative efforts, incentivize quality health outcomes, leverage and strengthen health care delivery systems and promote sustainable systems change. $7.7 million was awarded to organizations focused on addressing issues that are upstream, meaning MHM is intentionally addressing conditions and circumstances that affect the health and well-being of patients and clients before they might reach out to MHM, or its partners, for assistance. $6.1 million in grant funding was directed to rural communities, furthering efforts to support organizations outside of urban areas.  

An example of MHM’s support for its funded partners in action is evidenced in the work of SA Digital Connects. In 2024, SA Digital Connects received a $110,000 grant to support staffing for programming and implementation of the San Antonio and Greater Bexar County Digital Equity Plan. The goal of the plan is centered around closing the digital divide and facilitating 1) increased access and affordable adoption of digital devices/services, 2) digital devices distribution, and 3) digital literacy programming to assure internet safety. The project is projected to serve 500,000 individuals throughout the life of the grant and special attention is to be devoted to assisting unserved and underserved areas to ensure every household is connected to high-speed, reliable and affordable internet.

“The impactful work by Methodist Healthcare Ministries across San Antonio and Bexar County, continues to demonstrate their commitment to addressing the many challenges of the digital divide,” says Rhia Pape, Executive Director at SA Digital Connects. “We are proud to be supported and funded by MHM and other private sector partners and are thankful SA Digital Connects gets to work with such amazing partners to implement the SA/Greater Bexar County Investment Plan. There are many layers to this work and it’s only with coordination and collaboration between organizations that we will see success in closing the digital divide in our community.”

Strategic Operating Initiatives: 

In addition to the annual grants to partners, MHM has allocated nearly $28 million toward strategic initiatives that amplify its overall strategic goals and disrupt the cycle of intergenerational poverty. MHM is investing in approaches that address the root causes of poverty and health inequities, such as cross-sector partnerships, investing in community infrastructure, policy/legislative action eliminating barriers and/or addressing the long-term needs of individuals, families and communities. Examples of the types of initiatives MHM is investing in include: economic mobility, access to clean water, and community-led collaboration initiatives. 

Direct Services 

Creating access to care through the provision of clinical services has always been key to the organization's mission. MHM operates two San Antonio-based primary health care clinics: Wesley Health & Wellness Center and Dixon Health & Wellness Center, and two school-based health centers: George Ricks School Based Health Center at Krueger Elementary and George Ricks School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary. The clinics address the needs of low-income families and the uninsured by providing services at no cost or on a sliding fee scale. The health care services MHM provides are a cornerstone of its charitable purpose of creating access to care. Additionally, MHM offers health care services and programs throughout its 74-county service area including community counseling services, Community Health Worker program, Get FIT prevention program, parenting support groups and care coordination and referrals through its Wesley Nurse program. 

Since inception, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has provided more than $1.67 billion in health care services through its clinical programs, as well as through partnerships, and is one of the largest private funding sources for community health care to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas.  

### 

About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. 

Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of health care by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.