Alliance (noun)
- The state of being allied: the action of allying
- a bond or connection between families, states, parties, or individuals
- an association to further the common interests of the members
At The Alliance for Health Equity (a.k.a. The Alliance), our goal is to advance a more equitable, resilient and healthy Greater Coatesville community, and we know first-hand the importance of collaboration. Through vital partnerships, we have been able to increase our service areas and community impact in remarkable ways, from our work with the Greater Coatesville Hospital Closure Group and the ChesCo Health Ed Campaign this year, to the recent announcement of grants for nonprofits and grassroots organizations in our region. Read on to learn more.
The Collaborative Innovation Fund
The Collaborative Innovation Fund was created this summer as a result of a community-wide survey highlighting the pressing need for mental health, employment and education in the Greater Coatesville Area, as well as local nonprofit interviews expressing the additional need for local partnerships. Focusing on new or existing partnerships between grassroots and nonprofit organizations to help create a healthy, inclusive and resilient Coatesville, The Alliance released over $620,000 in support over two years to the recipients of the Collaborative Innovation Fund, including eight registered 501(c)3 partners/18 organizations. Another $25,000 was awarded to an organization to support the Coatesville Black Media Renaissance, and $12,500 in discretionary funds was released to address emergent needs relating to health access. To read more about this funding and our partners addressing education, mental health and employment, click here.
The Greater Coatesville Hospital Closure Group & ChesCo Health Ed Campaign
The Greater Coatesville Hospital Closure Group is made up of leaders representing nearly 20 local and county organizations, with two subgroups: Advocacy and Coordinated Health Services. Formed as a result of the closures of the Brandywine and Jennersville hospitals, our goal is to minimize the disruption of healthcare services and rebuild a strong and equitable healthcare system in the region. The Advocacy group, in conjunction with the Chester County Health Department and healthcare providers, recently developed educational materials in both English and Spanish for the community with information on where to get care, where to find a doctor or medical home, and where to find free or low-cost health insurance. For further information and to access these materials, click here.
Collaboration For Change
In an article titled, Collaboration at the Heart of Successful Change Initiatives, Academic Briefing discusses the necessity for change in times of crisis, and the key skills of effective change agents. These skills include the ability to communicate a vision for the future, inclusive leadership and collaboration, understanding of the impact of change, and putting together effective leadership teams. Academic Briefing provides advice for leaders in higher education, but the valuable information contained in this report is applicable to any organization seeking to embrace collaboration as a means to achieve broader impact. To read Collaboration at the Heart of Successful Change Initiatives, click here.
Harnessing The Power Of Community & Partnership For A Greater Coatesville
To quote the Forbes Nonprofit Council, “If we’re to have a true and lasting impact on our missions, partnerships are an essential part of our existence. It takes everybody rowing in the same direction, tackling each project hand-in-hand and focusing more on reaching our common goals than on who gets credit for the effort.”
At The Alliance for Health Equity, we pursue our mission through building partnerships, grantmaking, providing scholarships, and being catalytic to spark new initiatives where they are needed the most. Learn more about The Alliance by visiting our website, and stay updated on our work, upcoming events, and activities by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
The Alliance for Health Equity (formerly Brandywine Health Foundation) is a philanthropic organization striving to advance a more equitable, resilient and healthy community for all residents of the Greater Coatesville area. We pursue our mission by providing grants and scholarships to local nonprofits and students that address health and economic disparities and social justice. We also build partnership programs and give voice to those often left out of community solution building to improve the overall health of their communities. 100% of contributions go directly to those in need.