KC health foundation to add economic inclusion and race equity to mission

CEO Qiana Thomason, Health Forward Foundation

A large Kansas City health foundation will focus its funding on economic inclusion and race equity. Reasoning that poverty leads to poor health outcomes, the Health Forward Foundation will concentrate on fighting wealth inequality and structural racism. The foundation makes $20 million in grants each year.

One factor in making the shift to equity and inclusion was an examination of the foundation’s own record. Last year, just 18% of Health Forward’s grants went to organizations led by people of color. To improve that record, the foundation will assess issues like education, home ownership, affordable housing, and workforce development. The foundation will also help people of color find access to more philanthropic money.