Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $71,032,493 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $16,263 - $20,000 (ToRCH grants)
• 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 Programme Contact:

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

General Foundation Contact:

• Tara Akins, Director of Community Relations & Development
• Phone: 417-328-6318
• Email: development@citizensmemorial.com

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 programmes, scholarships, and community health initiatives. The Foundation is currently participating in Missouri HealthNet's Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) pilot programme, a five-year initiative that makes grants to address social determinants of health in Polk County. CMH was recognised as the 2024 Health Care Champions Health Care Organisation – Large by Springfield Business Journal.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

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 programme (funding available through 2027)
• Recent Awards: $194,147 to 10 community partners (2024-25)

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

Priority Areas

The ToRCH grant programme specifically targets organisations addressing health-related social needs:

• Food Security: Programmes addressing food insecurity and nutrition access
• Housing & Homelessness: Support for unsheltered residents, sober living facilities, warming centres
• Transportation: Services addressing transportation insecurity affecting access to healthcare and services
• Youth Services: Counselling, behavioural health therapy, and youth development programmes
• Behavioural Health & Addiction: Recovery programmes, addiction treatment support, mental health services
• Disability Services: Programmes empowering people with disabilities to live independently
• Healthcare Access: Medically tailored meals, nutritional counselling, 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 Centre, 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 programme focuses exclusively on organisations in Polk County addressing social determinants of health that affect Medicaid patients. Organisations 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 orthopaedic surgeon)

ToRCH Leadership Board The local ToRCH Leadership Board includes members from the hospital, primary care, behavioural health, public health, community-based organisations, 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..." emphasising the importance of addressing social determinants of health to reduce unnecessary emergency visits.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

ToRCH Grant Programme: 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 organisations within Polk County, Missouri
• Community-based organisations addressing health-related social needs
• Participation in ToRCH is free for community-based organisations
• 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 organisations 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 programme 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 organisations received funding totalling $194,147.

Reapplication Policy

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

Application Success Factors

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

1. Alignment with Social Determinants of Health The ToRCH programme explicitly targets health-related social needs. Jenna Hicks emphasised 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 programme'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 favourable.

4. Collaborative Partnerships The ToRCH programme emphasises community partnerships. Organisations 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 organisations serve Polk County, Missouri. Geographic alignment is essential.

6. Measurable Outcomes While not explicitly stated, the programme'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: Counselling and behavioural 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 Centre: Nutrition counselling 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, behavioural health, or other social factors affecting health outcomes
• Serve Polk County: Geographic eligibility is limited to organisations serving Polk County, Missouri
• Target Medicaid Population: Demonstrate how your services will benefit Medicaid patients and reduce avoidable emergency room visits
• Emphasise 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 programme, providing ongoing opportunities for community partners
• Grant Range: Recent awards ranged from $16,263 to $20,000, with most recipients receiving $20,000

References

• CMH awards $194,147 in ToRCH grants to community partners
• Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation | Cause IQ
• About Citizens Memorial Hospital and the CMH Foundation
• Ways to Give to CMH
• Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation Impact Report
• Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
• ToRCH FAQs | Missouri Department of Social Services
• CEO Michael Calhoun | CMH in Bolivar, Missouri
• Boards of Directors | Citizens Memorial
• 2024 Health Care Champions Health Care Organisation – Large: Citizens Memorial Hospital/Health Care Foundation | Springfield Business Journal