← Back to US Funders Directory

Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.2M
Grant Range
$16K - $0.0M

Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $194,147 (ToRCH grants, 2024-25)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $16,263 - $20,000
  • Geographic Focus: Polk County, Missouri (eight-county service area in southwest Missouri)

Contact Details

Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation 1500 N. Oakland Ave. Bolivar, MO 65613

Website: https://www.citizensmemorial.com/about/giving/index.html

ToRCH Grant Program Contact:

  • Jenna Hicks, Director of Quality and Population Health
  • Phone: 417-328-7953

General Foundation Contact:

Overview

The Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation was established in 1986 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit entity to support Citizens Memorial Hospital District in Bolivar, Missouri. The Foundation operates as part of a fully-integrated healthcare system serving a rural, eight-county area in southwest Missouri with a population of over 130,000. With total assets of $62.4 million and annual revenue of $75.2 million, the Foundation supports healthcare programs, scholarships, and community health initiatives. The Foundation is currently participating in Missouri HealthNet's Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) pilot program, a five-year initiative that makes grants to address social determinants of health in Polk County. CMH was recognized as the 2024 Health Care Champions Health Care Organization – Large by Springfield Business Journal.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

ToRCH (Transformation of Rural Community Health) Grants

  • Grant Range: $16,263 - $20,000
  • Application Method: Rolling application through ToRCH Leadership Board
  • Duration: Five-year pilot program (funding available through 2027)
  • Recent Awards: $194,147 to 10 community partners (2024-25)

The ToRCH program is operated through a partnership with Missouri HealthNet's Medicaid program, with CMH serving as one of six rural Missouri hospitals participating in this pilot.

Priority Areas

The ToRCH grant program specifically targets organizations addressing health-related social needs:

  • Food Security: Programs addressing food insecurity and nutrition access
  • Housing & Homelessness: Support for unsheltered residents, sober living facilities, warming centers
  • Transportation: Services addressing transportation insecurity affecting access to healthcare and services
  • Youth Services: Counseling, behavioral health therapy, and youth development programs
  • Behavioral Health & Addiction: Recovery programs, addiction treatment support, mental health services
  • Disability Services: Programs empowering people with disabilities to live independently
  • Healthcare Access: Medically tailored meals, nutritional counseling, health education

Recent grant recipients (2024-25) included: Bolivar R-1 School District, Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation (kitchen renovations for meal delivery), Community Outreach Ministries, Polk County Community Connections, Empower: Abilities, Polk County KLIFE, Polk County Health Center, Polk County Cares, Refuge Apostolic Church, and Sling N Stones Ministries.

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, the ToRCH program focuses exclusively on organizations in Polk County addressing social determinants of health that affect Medicaid patients. Organizations outside Polk County or those not addressing health-related social needs would not be eligible.

Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive Officer

  • Michael Calhoun, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director (both Hospital and Foundation)
    • 22+ years at CMH in various leadership positions
    • Third CEO since hospital opened in 1982
    • Oversees both the hospital and foundation with unified leadership

Citizens Memorial Hospital District Board of Directors

  • K. Pat Douglas, Chairman
  • Dave Berry, Vice Chairman
  • Robin Sechler, Secretary
  • Janieca Hancock, Director
  • John Kallenbach, Director
  • Corey Rich, Director

Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation Board of Directors

  • Janieca Hancock, President (also serves on Hospital Board)
  • John Kallenbach, Vice President
  • James Ashworth
  • Donald J. Babb
  • Trina Banner
  • Gary Fulbright
  • D. Michelle Meents, M.D.
  • K. Ronald Smith, M.D. (32 years on CMH medical staff, board-certified orthopedic surgeon)

ToRCH Leadership Board The local ToRCH Leadership Board includes members from the hospital, primary care, behavioral health, public health, community-based organizations, and advocacy groups for seniors and children. This board reviews funding applications and selects grant recipients.

Leadership Quote: CEO Michael Calhoun stated: "Because of you, lives were changed this year. Every gift carries hope, comfort and strength to someone who needs it most."

Jenna Hicks, Director of Quality and Population Health, noted: "Research shows that many factors influence a person's health. Housing, transportation and food insecurity..." emphasizing the importance of addressing social determinants of health to reduce unnecessary emergency visits.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

ToRCH Grant Program: Community partners submit funding applications to the ToRCH Leadership Board for review. The application process appears to be rolling, with the board selecting recipients from submitted applications.

Eligibility:

  • Health and human services organizations within Polk County, Missouri
  • Community-based organizations addressing health-related social needs
  • Participation in ToRCH is free for community-based organizations
  • Access to the Unite Us platform provided at no cost to participating partners

Contact for Application Information: Jenna Hicks, Director of Quality and Population Health Phone: 417-328-7953

Health and human services organizations in Polk County are invited to join the ToRCH initiative by reaching out to CMH directly.

Decision Timeline

The ToRCH Leadership Board reviews applications and selects funding recipients, but specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The program operates on a rolling basis with funding available through 2027 (three more years remaining in the pilot).

Success Rates

Success rates and total application numbers are not publicly disclosed. In the most recent round, 10 organizations received funding totaling $194,147.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Organizations interested in multi-year support should contact Jenna Hicks directly.

Application Success Factors

Based on the documented grant awards and program focus, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Alignment with Social Determinants of Health The ToRCH program explicitly targets health-related social needs. Jenna Hicks emphasized that "many factors influence a person's health. Housing, transportation and food insecurity" are key priorities. Successful applicants directly address these barriers to health.

2. Impact on Medicaid Population The program's goal is to "reduce avoidable emergency room visits and improve population health for Medicaid patients." Applications should demonstrate how services will benefit this population.

3. Capacity Building and Expansion Recent grants funded capacity expansion: kitchen renovations for increased meal delivery, additional staff for housing assistance, new cabins for sober living, expanded youth services to underserved areas. Applications showing how funds will expand reach or enhance existing services appear favorable.

4. Collaborative Partnerships The ToRCH program emphasizes community partnerships. Organizations that can demonstrate connections with other community service providers or willingness to collaborate may have stronger applications.

5. Geographic Focus on Polk County All funded organizations serve Polk County, Missouri. Geographic alignment is essential.

6. Measurable Outcomes While not explicitly stated, the program's focus on reducing emergency room visits and improving population health suggests applications should include measurable outcomes.

Recent Funded Projects (examples of successful applications):

  • Bolivar R-1 School District: Counseling and behavioral health therapy for uninsured/underinsured youth ($20,000)
  • Community Outreach Ministries: Staff and equipment to assist unsheltered residents with housing resources ($20,000)
  • Polk County Health Center: Nutrition counseling and classes expansion ($16,262.70)
  • Empower: Abilities: Services to help people with disabilities live independently ($20,000)
  • Sling N Stones Ministries: Cabins for sober living facilities and recovery support ($20,000)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Focus on Social Determinants: Successful applications directly address food security, housing, transportation, behavioral health, or other social factors affecting health outcomes
  • Serve Polk County: Geographic eligibility is limited to organizations serving Polk County, Missouri
  • Target Medicaid Population: Demonstrate how your services will benefit Medicaid patients and reduce avoidable emergency room visits
  • Emphasize Capacity Building: Show how grant funds will expand services, add staff, improve facilities, or increase reach to underserved populations
  • Contact First: Participation in ToRCH is free; contact Jenna Hicks (417-328-7953) to learn about joining the initiative and accessing funding opportunities
  • Rolling Availability: Three more years of funding remain in the pilot program, providing ongoing opportunities for community partners
  • Grant Range: Recent awards ranged from $16,263 to $20,000, with most recipients receiving $20,000

References

← Back to US Funders Directory