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MHA Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.4M
000

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $381,385 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $55+ million
  • Grant Awards: 15 grants (2023)
  • Scholarship Funding: ~$20,000 annually for health occupation scholarships
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Rim Country, Arizona; also funds projects in CO, FL, MT, OR, UT
  • Founded: 1997 (as successor to Payson Regional Medical Center Foundation)

Contact Details

MHA Foundation
431 S. Beeline Hwy, Ste. #1
Payson, AZ 85541

Overview

MHA Foundation was established in August 1997 when Payson Regional Medical Center transitioned to for-profit ownership. As the successor to the original Payson Hospital founders, the foundation has evolved over six decades into a multi-faceted community service organization managing over $55 million in assets. The foundation's mission is to promote rural health and education for members of the Rim Country communities through programs, activities, grants, and scholarships, as well as to develop a multi-university campus for rural higher education. In 2022, the foundation reported $7.1 million in contributions to various community projects. Recent major initiatives include purchasing 253 acres for a university campus (2015) and developing the Granite Dells Park Complex with sports facilities, wheelchair-accessible trails, and recreational amenities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Health Occupation Scholarships - ~$20,000 annually

  • Application cycle: January through March
  • Awards paid: July
  • Focus: Students pursuing health-related careers

Dialysis Patient Assistance Grants - Amount varies

  • Need-based financial assistance for ancillary items (wheelchair ramps, safety bars, etc.)
  • Not for treatment costs
  • Supports lifestyle changes and family burdens associated with dialysis

Community Health & Safety Grants - Amount varies

  • Emergency services equipment (ambulances, AEDs, patient simulators)
  • Purchased 25+ AEDs (over $27,000) for Rim Country
  • Fire department support (equipment, insurance, training)

Educational Grants - Amount varies

  • Support for Aspire Arizona Foundation dual-credit college courses
  • School equipment and programs
  • Supports K-12 and higher education initiatives

Infrastructure & Community Development - Large-scale projects

  • Examples: Broadband expansion, Granite Dells Park Complex, university campus land acquisition

Priority Areas

  • Rural health services and access
  • Health occupation education and training
  • Emergency medical services
  • Patient support services (particularly dialysis patients)
  • K-12 and higher education in Rim Country
  • Community infrastructure (broadband, parks, recreational facilities)
  • Partnerships with Banner Payson Medical Center, Rim Country Health, Compassus, Avista Senior Living, Payson Care Center, and CERE

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Based on their mission, funding appears focused on Rim Country (Payson area) health and education priorities.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

  • Heather Stage - Chief Executive Officer
  • Kenny Evans - President

Board Members include:

  • Jennifer Smith
  • Gary Cordell
  • Cliff Potts
  • Dr. Alan P. Michels
  • John Naughton
  • Sheila DeSchaaf

The foundation also employs an Administrative Assistant and Finance Administrator to manage operations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The MHA Foundation does not have a detailed public application process outlined on readily accessible sources. The foundation appears to operate through a combination of:

  • Direct outreach to community organizations with which it partners
  • Identified community needs and strategic initiatives
  • Specific scholarship application cycles (January-March for health occupation scholarships)
  • Need-based requests (such as dialysis patient assistance)

Interested applicants should contact the foundation directly:

Decision Timeline

For Scholarships:

  • Application period: January through March
  • Awards announced and paid: July

For Other Grants: Decision timelines are not publicly documented and likely vary by project scope and funding availability.

Success Rates

  • 15 grants awarded in 2023 (totaling $381,385)
  • 32 grants awarded in 2022
  • 32 grants awarded in 2021
  • 31 grants awarded in 2020

Success rates relative to applications received are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No public information available regarding reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants. Contact the foundation directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented activities and priorities:

Strong Alignment Areas:

  • Projects serving Rim Country communities (Payson, Pine, Strawberry areas)
  • Rural health service delivery and access
  • Health education and workforce development
  • Emergency medical services
  • Patient support services (particularly for vulnerable populations)
  • Educational advancement (K-12 and higher education)
  • Community infrastructure benefiting health and education

Project Examples They've Funded:

  • Payson Fire Department equipment (ambulances, AEDs, patient simulators, insurance)
  • Rim Country Middle School physical education equipment
  • Aspire Arizona Foundation dual-credit scholarship expansion
  • Broadband infrastructure (guaranteed several million dollars for main trunk line)
  • Granite Dells Park Complex (playing fields, accessible trails, recreational facilities)
  • 253-acre university campus land purchase
  • Dialysis patient accessibility equipment (ramps, safety bars)

Strategic Approach: The foundation appears to take a proactive, strategic approach to grantmaking, identifying community needs and developing large-scale initiatives rather than primarily responding to unsolicited applications. They demonstrate willingness to make substantial multi-year investments in strategic priorities.

Partnership Orientation: The foundation works collaboratively with established community partners including Banner Payson Medical Center, Rim Country Health, Compassus, Avista Senior Living, Payson Care Center, CERE, Payson Fire Department, Payson Unified School District, and Gila Community College.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic focus is paramount - The foundation's mission explicitly serves "Rim Country communities" in rural Arizona, with most funding concentrated in the Payson area
  • Health and education nexus - Strongest funding opportunities exist at the intersection of rural health and education, particularly workforce development in health occupations
  • Think strategically and long-term - The foundation makes substantial investments in multi-year, transformational projects (university campus, park complex, broadband) rather than just small grants
  • Partnership matters - The foundation works through established community partners; building relationships with their existing partners may provide pathways to funding
  • Contact directly for opportunities - Without a formal public application process, direct contact (928-472-2588 or info@mhafoundation.com) is essential to understand current priorities and opportunities
  • Rural health focus - Strong emphasis on emergency services, patient support, and health accessibility in rural settings
  • Scholarship timing - For health occupation scholarships, applications run January-March with July awards

References

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