Paso del Norte Health Foundation
The Paso del Norte Health Foundation is one of the largest private foundations on the U.S.-Mexico border.[1] It was established in 1995 from the sale of Providence Memorial Hospital to Tenet Healthcare Corporation. The Foundation is committed to improving the health and promoting the wellness of the people living in west Texas, southern New Mexico, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico through education and prevention.
This region, known as the Paso del Norte (Pass of the North), has approximately 2.5 million people living in El Paso and Hudspeth counties, Texas; Doña Ana, Luna, and Otero counties, New Mexico; and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.[2]
History
The founding Board of Directors focused on a creative, proactive approach to improving the long-term health of the community. The principles of education and prevention were used, which translates to cost-effective ways to improve the health of the residents of the region. Not only was this strategy new to the El Paso region, but it was unique among health foundations throughout the country.
In 2008, the Foundation board reexamined previous and current operations, and directed a course of action for the future. Building on the initial goals, the Foundation launched a strategic planning process to renew its grant-making efforts and address new health concerns in the region. After an in-depth review, modifications were recommended to strengthen the Foundation’s mission and legacy. The Foundation board adopted a Strategic Framework to focus on helping children and youth establish healthy behaviors to last a lifetime.
The Foundation’s basic premise is: All people deserve good health; the Foundation will lead, fund, promote, and leverage opportunities to ensure that all people in the Paso del Norte region have the knowledge, resources and environment they need to live healthy lives.
Between 1997 and the end of 2008, the Foundation committed nearly $90 million to the Paso del Norte region with more than 260 agencies receiving grants ranging from several thousand dollars to more than one million dollars.
Mission
The Paso del Norte Health Foundation promotes health and prevents disease in the region through leadership in health education, research, and advocacy.
Guiding concepts
The Foundation focuses its resources on several key issues that can have significant impact in the region.
- Address the health needs of underserved children and youth,
- Lead efforts to improve the health and wellness of all people,
- Convene and to inform policymakers and opinion leaders regarding important wellness and health issues.
Health goals
- Children and youth will be physically active and have proper nutrition for a healthy weight and a strong body.
- Tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use will be eliminated among adolescents.
- Children, youth, and families will have access to health care, including access to mental health services.
- Children and youth will grow up in healthy family and social environments.
Grantmaking
From the time the first grant was released, continued improvements have evolved out of creative and proactive approaches that support and leverage resources for improved quality of life. The overall goal of the Foundation board and staff is to address major health issues in the region. Developing unique goals has provided pathways to empower stakeholders and convene community leaders on related health topics. These goals help grantees align their programming efforts toward a unified effort, allowing them to overcome barriers and share successes in ways that strengthen community stakeholder networks.
Program officers are available to discuss ideas for future programs, and welcome suggestions from regional organizations. Grant information may be retrieved on the Foundation website (www.pdnhf.org).
References
- ↑ Foundation Center (www.foundationcenter.org/findfunders)
- ↑ U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov) and Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía - INEGI (Mexico Census (www.inegi.org.mx)