Sierra Health Foundation Center For Health Program Management

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $30,515,043 (2023)
Number of Grants: 163 awards (2023)
Geographic Focus: Statewide California (with emphasis on San Joaquin Valley and Northern California)
Organizational Structure: Independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating as "The Center at Sierra Health Foundation"
Charity Rating: 81% (Three-Star rating from Charity Navigator)

Contact Details

Main Office (Sacramento):

Address: 1321 Garden Hwy Ste 210, Sacramento, CA 95833-9754
Phone: 916-922-4755
Website: www.shfcenter.org
General Inquiry: Contact form available on website

Regional Office:

Fresno office (serves San Joaquin Valley region)

Program-Specific Contact:

San Joaquin Valley Health Fund: sjvhealthfund@shfcenter.org

Overview

The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, legally known as Sierra Health Foundation Center For Health Program Management (EIN: 45-5282243), operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in December 2012. Operating with a clear vision that "every person in California should be able to live a healthy life," The Center brings people, ideas, and infrastructure together to create collective impact on health equity throughout California.

The Center functions as an intermediary organization that manages state-contracted programs and establishes investment partnerships with public and private funders, community members, community organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and national, state, and local government agencies. In 2023, The Center distributed over $30.5 million in grants across 163 awards. The organization's team has more than tripled to 100 members in recent years, reflecting its expanding role in managing major statewide health equity initiatives.

In October 2022, Kaying Hang was appointed President of The Center, bringing a strong commitment to racial equity and health justice. As she stated upon accepting the position: "Our focus is unapologetically on health equity. It's the way we work, live, play, and pray." The Center has been recognized by the Obama Foundation as part of the My Brother's Keeper Alliance and works closely with state agencies including the California Department of Health Care Services and the California Office of Youth and Community Restoration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Center does not operate traditional open grant programs. Instead, it manages state-contracted programs and collaborative funding initiatives with specific application periods. Major programs include:

San Joaquin Valley Health Fund - IHHEEL Grants

IHHEEL Advocacy Grants: Up to $25,000 for one year
IHHEEL Learning Grants: Up to $15,000 for one year
Geographic Focus: Nine counties (Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare)
Application Method: Periodic Request for Applications (RFAs)
Priority Areas: Immigration, Health, Housing, Environmental Justice

Community Economic Mobilization Initiative (CEMI)

Total Fund: $21.2 million from collaborative of philanthropic partners
Typical Grants: Varied amounts supporting economic inclusion and environmental justice
Current Reach: 50 partner organizations across California
Application Method: Periodic competitive application process

Transform Youth Justice Programs

Community-Based Organization Capacity Building: $500,000 per organization over 26 months (8 partners funded)
Ending Girls' Incarceration Action Network: Up to $1,000,000 per county over two years (4 counties)
Application Method: Request for Applications (RFA) when funding is available

Asthma Mitigation Project (Completed program - illustrative of model)

Total Program Funding: $12 million statewide
Individual Grants: Up to $500,000 per project over multiple years
Target: 22 organizations funded statewide
Services Provided: Culturally and linguistically appropriate asthma home visiting services

COVID-19 Mitigation Project

Contract Amounts: Up to $200,000 over 7 months
Purpose: Expand services to prevent and respond to COVID-19 public health emergency

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Access Points

Program: Mobile Narcotic Treatment Programs and Medication Units
Partnership: California Department of Health Care Services
Application Method: Request for Applications when funding available

California Equitable Recovery Initiative (CERI)

Total Funding: $3 million distributed among 10 community-based organizations
Partnership: California Department of Public Health - Office of Health Equity

Priority Areas

The Center's work focuses on:

Health Equity and Racial Justice: Primary focus across all programs
Youth Justice Transformation: Shifting juvenile justice practice and policy
Economic Inclusion: Supporting underserved communities in accessing economic development resources
Community Capacity Building: Strengthening nonprofit organizations, especially those led by people of color
Environmental Justice: Climate-resilient economic development
Behavioral Health: Substance use treatment and mental health services
San Joaquin Valley Development: Significant focus on historically overlooked inland communities

What They Don't Fund

The Center does not operate as a traditional foundation with open grant applications. Organizations cannot submit unsolicited proposals. All funding opportunities are released through specific Requests for Applications (RFAs) tied to state contracts or collaborative funding initiatives.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Kaying Hang, President (Appointed October 2022)

Serves dual role as President of The Center and Senior Vice President of Programs and Partnerships at Sierra Health Foundation
Recognized as one of Sacramento Bee's Top 20 AAPI Change Makers in 2024
Quote: "Social justice and racial equity are central to my life's work. My parents have instilled in me the value of and strength in community. I am humbled to do incredibly powerful work with community every day."

Chet P. Hewitt, CEO

Provides strategic oversight as CEO of The Center
Also serves as President & Chief Executive Officer of Sierra Health Foundation

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors includes members with diverse expertise in health, education, policy, and community development (as of January 2024):

Board Chair affiliated with Lasker Foundation
Jose Hermocillo (APCO Worldwide)
David W. Gordon (Sacramento County Office of Education)
Nancy Lee (Nancy P. Lee, PC)
Robert Petersen
Claire Pomeroy (Lasker Foundation)
Earl (Trey) Washburn (Retired)
Carol Whiteside (California Strategies)
Chet P. Hewitt (Sierra Health Foundation)
Debra McKenzie

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Center does not accept unsolicited grant applications. All funding opportunities are released through specific Requests for Applications (RFAs) or Requests for Proposals (RFPs) tied to state-contracted programs or collaborative funding initiatives.

To Access Funding Opportunities:

Monitor The Center's website (www.shfcenter.org) for announcements of new funding opportunities
Subscribe to their mailing list for notifications about upcoming RFAs
Check the specific program pages for updates on application cycles
For San Joaquin Valley Health Fund opportunities, contact sjvhealthfund@shfcenter.org

Typical Application Requirements:

501(c)(3) nonprofit status (or public agency status)
Geographic alignment with program requirements
Demonstrated experience or capacity in the specific program area
Clear alignment with stated priority areas and policy platforms
Evidence of community partnerships and grassroots engagement (for advocacy grants)

Application Portals: Applications are typically submitted through online forms hosted on Sierra Health Foundation's application platform (e.g., sierrahealth.tfaforms.net for specific RFAs).

Decision Timeline

Timelines vary by program and are specified in each Request for Applications. Typical process:

RFA released with specific deadline
Application review period (varies by program)
Award announcements made through The Center's website and direct notification
Contract negotiations and grant start dates specified in award notifications

Success Rates

Success rates vary significantly by program. The competitive nature depends on the funding source and number of eligible applicants. For example:

Asthma Mitigation Project funded 22 organizations statewide from available applicants
Transform Youth Justice CBO Capacity Building selected 8 partners from the applicant pool
Ending Girls' Incarceration Action Network will select 4 counties from applicants
CEMI has grown to support 50 partner organizations through multiple funding rounds

Reapplication Policy

Since funding opportunities are tied to specific state contracts and collaborative initiatives, reapplication depends on whether programs are renewed or new funding rounds are announced. Organizations that have previously received funding may apply for new opportunities as they become available, provided they meet eligibility requirements and have successfully completed previous grant obligations.

Application Success Factors

Program-Specific Alignment

For San Joaquin Valley Health Fund IHHEEL Grants:

Demonstrate clear alignment with the 2023 IHHEEL Policy Platform focusing on Immigration, Health, Housing, and Environmental Justice
Show evidence of partnerships with impacted grassroots community members (for Advocacy Grants)
Clearly articulate policy and/or systems change goals (for Advocacy Grants)
Demonstrate interest and potential for policy/systems change work (for Learning Grants)
Specify capacity-building needs for engaging in policy and system change advocacy (for Learning Grants)

For Youth Justice Programs:

Focus on improving health, social, and intergenerational life course outcomes for justice-involved youth and their families
Demonstrate understanding of trauma-informed, culturally responsive approaches
Show capacity for community-based alternatives to incarceration
Evidence of collaboration with young people with lived experience

For Economic Inclusion Programs (CEMI):

Focus on historically overlooked inland communities
Demonstrate capacity to participate in designing economic development implementation plans
Show ability to receive and direct federal and state climate-resilient economic development resources
Evidence of environmental justice focus

Key Success Factors Across All Programs

Clear Focus on Health Equity and Racial Justice: Every program emphasizes these core values. Applications must demonstrate how they advance equity for communities of color and low-income communities
Community-Centered Approach: The Center values programs that engage community members with lived experience in leadership and decision-making roles. As President Kaying Hang emphasizes, The Center's work is done "with community every day"
Systems Change Orientation: Many programs prioritize policy advocacy and systems change over direct service alone. Demonstrate how your work will create lasting structural changes
Cultural and Linguistic Appropriateness: Programs serving specific communities should demonstrate culturally responsive approaches (e.g., asthma program served 48% Latinx and 27% Black or African American participants)
Collaborative Partnerships: The Center values organizations that work in partnership with other community organizations, government agencies, and funders
Capacity for Evaluation and Learning: Programs include technical assistance and evaluation components. Show willingness to participate in learning cohorts and program evaluation
Geographic Alignment: For regional programs like San Joaquin Valley Health Fund, organizations must serve the specified counties. For statewide programs, demonstrate reach to underserved areas

What The Center Values

Organizations led by people of color
Grassroots community organizing experience
Track record of advocacy work (for advocacy grants)
Openness to capacity building and learning (for learning grants)
Commitment to addressing root causes of health inequities
Willingness to participate in cohort-based learning and technical assistance

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No unsolicited applications accepted - All funding is through specific RFAs tied to state contracts or collaborative initiatives. Monitor their website and mailing list for announcements
State contractor model - The Center operates primarily as an intermediary managing state-funded programs, not as a traditional private foundation with endowment-driven grantmaking
Health equity is non-negotiable - As President Kaying Hang states, "Our focus is unapologetically on health equity." Every program centers racial justice and serves communities of color and low-income populations
Systems change priority - Many programs prioritize policy advocacy and systems transformation over direct service provision alone
Geographic specificity matters - Some programs target specific regions (especially San Joaquin Valley); others are statewide but prioritize historically overlooked inland communities
Collaborative funding model - The Center leverages multiple funding sources; their $3 million investment in CEMI became $21.2 million through collaborative partnerships, demonstrating the power of aligned funding
Technical assistance included - Programs typically include cohort-based learning, technical assistance, and evaluation support beyond just funding
Application windows are specific - When RFAs are released, they have firm deadlines and specific requirements. Be prepared to respond quickly when opportunities align with your organization's work

References

GuideStar Profile - Sierra Health Foundation Center for Health Program Management - Accessed December 2024
Charity Navigator Rating - Accessed December 2024
The Center at Sierra Health Foundation - Official Website - Accessed December 2024
Cause IQ - Sierra Health Foundation Center for Health Program Management - Accessed December 2024
Instrumentl 990 Report - Accessed December 2024
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990s - Accessed December 2024
Sierra Health Foundation - The Center Overview - Accessed December 2024
San Joaquin Valley Health Fund - Accessed December 2024
Community Economic Mobilization Initiative - Accessed December 2024
Kaying Hang Appointed as President - Accessed December 2024
Kaying Hang Recognized as AAPI Change Maker - Accessed December 2024
Sierra Health Foundation Invests $1M in CEMI - Accessed December 2024
The Center Awards $3.9M for Inclusive Economic Development - Accessed December 2024
Asthma Mitigation Project - Accessed December 2024
Transform Youth Justice CBO Capacity Building - Accessed December 2024
Ending Girls' Incarceration Action Network RFA - Accessed December 2024
My Brother's Keeper Sacramento - Accessed December 2024
The Obama Foundation - MBK Alliance Partnership - Accessed December 2024
Blue Shield of California Foundation Grant to The Center - Accessed December 2024
David and Lucile Packard Foundation Grant to The Center - Accessed December 2024