Legacy Health Foundation

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 46-5562403
• Annual Giving: $2.65 million (2024)
• Total Community Benefit (System-wide): $662 million (FY24)
• Grant Range: $6,500 - $1,092,684
• Typical Grant Size: $100,000
• Geographic Focus: Oregon (Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington, Marion, Polk counties) and Southwest Washington (Clark County)
• Application Method: Grant inquiry form, proposals solicited 1-2 times per year
• Charity Navigator Rating: 4/4 Stars

Contact Details

Website: www.legacyhealth.org/Giving-and-Support/community-engagement/Community-Grants

Main Phone: (503) 415-5600

Community Benefit Email: CommunityBenefit@lhs.org

Headquarters: Legacy Health
1919 NW Lovejoy St
Portland, OR 97209

Overview

Legacy Health Foundation was incorporated on August 21, 2013, to foster charitable giving and community commitment supporting Legacy Health's founding principles, mission, and vision while promoting community health and well-being. As the philanthropic arm of Legacy Health—the largest local nonprofit healthcare provider in Oregon and Southwest Washington—the Foundation distributes approximately $2.65 million annually in grants (2024) as part of Legacy Health's broader $662 million system-wide community benefit investment. The Foundation advances health equity by focusing investments on organizations serving historically underserved and underrepresented communities across the four-county Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area. Grant funding aligns with Legacy Health's Community Health Need Assessments (CHNAs) and Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs), ensuring investments address documented community needs. The Foundation earned Charity Navigator's highest 4-star rating, reflecting strong financial health and accountability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Health Grants: $100,000 typical award

• Rolling grant inquiry system with formal solicitations 1-2 times annually
• Focus on nonprofit organizations addressing health equity
• Alignment with CHNA and CHIP priorities required
• Grant awards in 2024: 32 grants totaling $2,651,445

Strategic Community Investments: Approximately $2.4 million annually (FY24)

• Multi-year partnerships with community-based organizations
• Focus on health equity and social determinants of health

Priority Areas

The Foundation invests in three core areas identified through Community Health Needs Assessments:

Access to Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Health Care

• Access to affordable health care
• Culturally and linguistically appropriate services
• Health care navigation and coordination
• School-based health center programs

Essential Community Services and Resources

• Economic opportunity programs
• Educational opportunity initiatives
• Access to culturally specific and healthy foods
• Housing stability support
• Behavioral health services

A Neighborhood for All

• Physical safety in the community
• Violence prevention programs (including domestic violence and sexual assault prevention)
• Child abuse prevention and intervention services

What They Don't Fund

Explicit Exclusions for Sponsorships (may apply to grants):

• Events or activities with a marketing or brand focus
• School fundraisers and auctions
• Sporting events

Geographic Limitations:

• Programs must serve Legacy Health's service area: Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington, Marion, and Polk counties in Oregon; Clark County in Washington

Governance and Leadership

Legacy Health Foundation Board of Trustees

Executive Committee:

• Jill A. Nelson, Chair
• Frank B. Piacentini, Vice Chair and Treasurer
• Lewis L. Low, Secretary
• Kecia M. Kelly, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, President (ex officio) - Senior Vice President, Chief Nurse and Philanthropy Officer at Legacy Health

Board Members:

• Dr. George Brown (ex officio)
• Gabriel L. Goddard
• Gisel E. Hillner
• Tara Kinateder
• Michael E. Lewellen
• Dave Mertens
• Joseph J. Avena
• Orlando L. Williams

All trustees serve without compensation. Kecia Kelly joined Legacy Health in July 2021, bringing over 20 years of nursing and leadership experience, including prior service as division chief nursing officer at CommonSpirit Health in Northern California.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Legacy Health uses a grant inquiry system rather than accepting unsolicited full proposals:

1. Submit Grant Inquiry Form: Complete the online inquiry form available at legacyhealth.org/Giving-and-Support/community-engagement/Community-Grants
2. Share Organization Information: The inquiry allows you to introduce your organization and alignment with Legacy Health's priorities
3. Await Invitation: Legacy Health typically solicits full proposals 1-2 times per calendar year from organizations that complete inquiry forms
4. Submit Full Proposal: When invited, submit a complete proposal during the announced grant cycle

Eligibility Requirements:

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
• Program/services align with Legacy Health's CHNAs and CHIPs
• Serve populations in Legacy Health's service area (Oregon: Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington, Marion, Polk counties; Washington: Clark County)
• Focus on health equity and historically underserved communities

Decision Timeline

Based on typical healthcare foundation timelines and Legacy Health's processes:

• Inquiry Review: Ongoing throughout the year
• Proposal Solicitation: 1-2 times annually (specific dates vary by cycle)
• Decision Notification: Estimated 6-10 weeks from proposal deadline
• Award Disbursement: Varies by grant cycle

Organizations selected for funding are notified via email. The Foundation made 32 grant awards in 2024, an increase from 11 awards in 2023.

Success Rates

• 2024: 32 grants awarded from $2.65 million in total funding
• 2023: 11 grants awarded

While specific application numbers are not publicly disclosed, the significant increase in grant numbers from 2023 to 2024 suggests an expansion of the program. The typical grant size of $100,000 and range of $6,500-$1,092,684 indicates flexibility in award amounts based on project scope.

Reapplication Policy

Legacy Health does not publish specific reapplication restrictions. Organizations are encouraged to submit grant inquiries when they have programs aligned with current priorities, regardless of previous application history. The inquiry-based system allows Legacy Health to maintain ongoing relationships with community organizations.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Community Health Needs

Critical for Success: Your proposal must demonstrate clear alignment with Legacy Health's published Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) and Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs). Review these documents (available at legacyhealth.org/Giving-and-Support/community-engagement/CHNAs) before submitting your inquiry. Legacy Health conducts CHNAs every three years and creates corresponding CHIPs in partnership with the community.

Focus on Health Equity

Legacy Health explicitly states: "Our investments strive to advance health equity by focusing on organizations serving historically underserved and underrepresented communities." Successful applications demonstrate:

• How your organization serves populations experiencing health disparities
• Cultural and linguistic competency in program delivery
• Understanding of social determinants of health
• Community-driven program design and implementation

Recent Funded Projects (2024-25 Funding Cycle)

Liberty House - $100,000

• Children's advocacy center for Marion and Polk Counties
• Funded expansion to Woodburn facility
• Addresses child abuse assessment, healing, and prevention
• Expands critical services for children and families in need

BIPOC Youth Outreach - $100,000

• Services, advocacy, and support to marginalized individuals and families
• Funded full-time BIPOC youth outreach coordinator salary
• Increased sexual assault and domestic violence prevention activities for youth of color

School-Based Health Center Programs - $100,000

• Essential care delivery to underserved populations
• Funded navigator position collaborating with medical and behavioral health providers
• Supports students receiving care through school-based health centers

Geographic Targeting

Marion County received particular attention in 2024, with Legacy Health delivering over $665,000 in funds to support behavioral health access, housing stability, and vaccine confidence. If your organization serves Marion County, Multnomah County, or other underserved areas within Legacy Health's service region, emphasize this geographic focus.

Partnership and Collaboration

Legacy Health participates in the Healthy Columbia Willamette Collaborative (HCWC), a partnership of 15 hospitals, four health departments, and one Coordinated Care Organization. Applications that demonstrate collaboration with other healthcare providers, health departments, or CCOs may be viewed favorably.

Multi-Year Impact Potential

While individual grant cycles award one-time grants, Legacy Health's $2.4 million in strategic investments suggests they value ongoing partnerships with effective organizations. Frame your proposal to show both immediate impact and potential for sustained community benefit.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Complete the grant inquiry form first - Legacy Health does not accept unsolicited full proposals; the inquiry form is your entry point into their grant process
• Study their CHNAs thoroughly - Successful proposals demonstrate deep alignment with documented community health needs in Legacy Health's service area
• Emphasize health equity - Every successful application should clearly articulate how it serves historically underserved and underrepresented communities
• Consider $100,000 as the sweet spot - While grants range from $6,500 to over $1 million, recent examples suggest $100,000 is a typical award size for impactful community programs
• Geographic focus matters - Programs serving Marion County, Multnomah County, or other underserved areas within the four-county Oregon region and Clark County, Washington, should be emphasized
• Demonstrate cultural competency - Language around culturally and linguistically responsive care appears frequently in Legacy Health's priorities; show how your organization embodies this approach
• Think beyond healthcare - While Legacy Health is a healthcare system, their community grants address social determinants of health including economic opportunity, education, food access, and safety—don't limit your thinking to clinical programs

References

1. Legacy Health Community Health Grants. Retrieved from https://www.legacyhealth.org/Giving-and-Support/community-engagement/Community-Grants (Accessed February 2026)

2. Legacy Health Community Impact Report 2025. Retrieved from https://www.legacyhealth.org/About/community-impact-report-2025 (Accessed February 2026)

3. Legacy Health Foundation Board of Trustees. Retrieved from https://www.legacyhealth.org/Giving-and-Support/medical-sites/legacy-health-foundation/about-us (Accessed February 2026)

4. Legacy Health Foundation. Charity Navigator Profile. Retrieved from https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/465562403 (Accessed February 2026)

5. Legacy Health Foundation (EIN 46-5562403). ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Retrieved from https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/465562403 (Accessed February 2026)

6. Legacy Health Foundation (EIN 46-5562403). Cause IQ Profile. Retrieved from https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/legacy-health-foundation,465562403/ (Accessed February 2026)

7. Legacy Health Community Health Needs Assessments. Retrieved from https://www.legacyhealth.org/Giving-and-Support/community-engagement/CHNAs (Accessed February 2026)

8. Legacy Health announces new senior vice presidents. Legacy Health News Release, July 28, 2021. Retrieved from https://www.legacyhealth.org/About/news-and-media/for-the-media/news-releases/2021/07-28-New-senior-vice-presidents (Accessed February 2026)

9. Legacy Health Community Benefit. Retrieved from https://www.legacyhealth.org/Giving-and-Support/community-engagement (Accessed February 2026)

10. Legacy Health FY2023 Form 990. Oregon Health Authority. Retrieved from https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/HP/HCMOPageDocs/0382-FY23-LHF-990.pdf (Accessed February 2026)