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California Health Foundation And Trust

Annual Giving
$45.0M

California Health Foundation And Trust

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $45,000,000+ (based on 2024 revenue)
  • Total Assets: $140,241,059 (2024)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Focus: California hospitals, particularly Critical Access Hospitals
  • Geographic Focus: California
  • Application Process: Affiliation-based (primarily CHA members)

Contact Details

Address: 1215 K Street, Suite 700, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: Not publicly listed
Email: Not publicly listed
Website: Information available through California Hospital Association

Overview

The California Health Foundation And Trust (CHFT) is a 501(c)(3) public benefit charity established in 1956 (IRS ruling year: 1961) with a mission to sponsor and support health care, including access to health care, research, and education. With total assets of approximately $140 million and annual grant distributions exceeding $45 million, CHFT operates as an affiliated organization of the California Hospital Association. The organization is led by Carmela Coyle, who serves as President/CEO of the California Hospital Association. CHFT has earned a Four-Star rating (97/100) from Charity Navigator, demonstrating strong financial health and accountability. The organization's programs focus primarily on supporting California hospitals, particularly in areas of emergency preparedness, critical access hospital support, and healthcare executive development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Hospital Grant Programs (Historical)

  • 2017-2019 Hospital Grant Program: Statewide effort to assist hospitals and hospital health systems in California to continue providing access to care for uninsured and underinsured people, preserve physical access to care, and provide community services such as mental health access, wellness, and prevention programs (program addressed $3 billion of the $7 billion shortfall annually in Medi-Cal payments)
  • 2014-2016 Hospital Grant Program: Similar statewide effort with focus on access to care, community services, and addressing Medi-Cal payment shortfalls

Critical Access Hospital Technical Assistance Program

  • Assists hospitals certified as Critical Access Hospitals under the Medicare Rural Flexibility Program
  • Provides expert services and technical support
  • Operates the California Critical Access Hospital Network

Hospital Preparedness Programs

  • Works in collaboration with California Department of Public Health Emergency Preparedness Office under HSC 101319
  • Provides services and products to members regarding emergency preparedness
  • Focuses on technical assistance, relationship development, and coordination of hospitals and health care systems with local, regional, and state planning partners

Walker-Sullivan Fellowship

  • Permanently-restricted fellowship program
  • Awards interest income to health care executives
  • Supports study of health care delivery systems in other countries and throughout the United States
  • Past recipients include CEOs of major California hospital systems (Stanford Hospital, Cedars-Sinai, MemorialCare Medical Centers)

Priority Areas

  • Access to care for uninsured and underinsured populations
  • Emergency preparedness and disaster response for hospitals
  • Critical access hospital sustainability and technical support
  • Healthcare executive leadership development
  • Community health services including mental health access, wellness, and prevention programs
  • Hospital system coordination with state and regional planning partners

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly documented, based on the organization's structure and affiliation with the California Hospital Association, CHFT programs appear to be restricted to:

  • Non-hospital healthcare organizations
  • Organizations outside of California
  • Individual patient care or direct services
  • Research projects not affiliated with hospital systems

Governance and Leadership

President/CEO: Carmela Coyle (compensation: $1,448,077 plus $260,174 in benefits)

  • Began tenure at California Hospital Association in October 2017
  • Previously led Maryland Hospital Association for nine years
  • Served 20 years in senior policy positions with the American Hospital Association
  • Former senior vice president of policy at AHA, serving as national media spokesperson

Chief Financial Officer: Jennifer M. Newman (compensation: $501,008)

The organization operates under the umbrella of the California Hospital Association, which represents more than 400 hospitals and health systems in California. This affiliation suggests that governance and strategic direction are closely aligned with CHA's priorities and membership needs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process for most programs. The California Health Foundation And Trust operates primarily as a support organization for the California Hospital Association and its members. Grant programs are typically:

  • Member-focused: Programs are designed for California Hospital Association member hospitals
  • Targeted initiatives: Large grant programs (such as the 2014-2016 and 2017-2019 Hospital Grant Programs) appear to be strategic initiatives developed and administered in collaboration with the California Hospital Association
  • Specific eligibility: Programs like the Critical Access Hospital Technical Assistance Program target hospitals with specific Medicare certifications
  • Fellowship by nomination: The Walker-Sullivan Fellowship for healthcare executives appears to operate on a nomination or invitation basis

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the organization's structure and operations, hospitals and healthcare executives interested in CHFT programs should:

  • Join the California Hospital Association: CHFT's affiliation with CHA suggests that membership provides access to programs and services. Contact CHA directly about membership benefits and how CHFT programs support members.

  • Qualify as a Critical Access Hospital: For hospitals seeking technical assistance, obtain Critical Access Hospital certification under the Medicare Rural Flexibility Program. This federal designation makes facilities eligible for CHFT's Critical Access Hospital programs.

  • Participate in CHA emergency preparedness initiatives: CHFT's Hospital Preparedness Programs work in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health. Hospitals should engage with CHA's disaster planning and emergency preparedness conferences and initiatives.

  • Healthcare Executive Leadership: Senior healthcare executives at California hospital systems may be nominated or considered for the Walker-Sullivan Fellowship. Past recipients have been presidents/CEOs of major California hospital systems, suggesting that leadership visibility within the CHA network is important.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Timelines likely vary by program and are communicated to eligible participants directly.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. Given the member-focused and targeted nature of programs, success rates are not applicable in the traditional sense.

Reapplication Policy

Not documented. Policies likely vary by specific program and are communicated to eligible participants.

Application Success Factors

Given the organization's structure as a California Hospital Association affiliate, success in accessing CHFT programs depends on:

Organizational Alignment

  • Membership in the California Hospital Association or demonstrated service to California communities
  • For the Critical Access Hospital program: federal certification as a Critical Access Hospital under Medicare Rural Flexibility Program requirements (located more than 35 miles from nearest hospital, maintain no more than 25 inpatient beds, average length of stay 96 hours or less, provide 24-hour emergency care)

Mission Alignment with Historical Programs

  • Focus on serving uninsured and underinsured populations
  • Addressing Medi-Cal payment shortfalls and sustainability
  • Preserving physical access to care in underserved areas
  • Providing community services including mental health access, wellness, and prevention programs
  • Emergency preparedness and disaster response capabilities

Executive Fellowship Considerations

  • Senior leadership position (president/CEO level) at a California hospital or health system
  • Demonstrated commitment to healthcare leadership and system improvement
  • Interest in studying healthcare delivery systems nationally and internationally

Strategic Initiatives

  • Alignment with statewide healthcare priorities identified by CHA
  • Collaboration with California Department of Public Health and other state partners
  • Participation in regional and statewide health system coordination efforts

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Not a traditional grant maker: CHFT operates primarily as a support organization for California Hospital Association members rather than accepting unsolicited grant applications from the general public
  • Hospital-focused: All programs are designed specifically for hospitals, hospital systems, or healthcare executives in California
  • Large-scale initiatives: Historical grant programs involved significant statewide efforts addressing billions in healthcare funding gaps
  • Membership matters: Affiliation with the California Hospital Association appears to be the primary pathway to accessing CHFT programs and resources
  • Critical Access focus: One of the few publicly documented ongoing programs specifically serves Critical Access Hospitals with technical assistance
  • Executive development: The Walker-Sullivan Fellowship represents a unique opportunity for senior healthcare executives to study delivery systems globally
  • Emergency preparedness expertise: Strong focus on hospital preparedness programs in collaboration with state emergency management agencies

References

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