Health systems are increasingly prioritizing authentic community engagement and innovative strategies to address non-medical drivers of health. Since its launch in 2018, Texas Health Resources’ (THR) Texas Health Community Impact (THCI) initiative has invested in upstream, community-led projects in North Texas’s highest-need ZIP codes through cross-sector grants. Developed by the Community Health Improvement (CHI) team and rooted in THR’s faith-based mission, THCI reflects a strategic shift toward co-creating solutions with community-based organizations (CBOs) to improve health under the “Texas Health Community Hope” umbrella.
Read our latest case study that dives into THCI’s innovative cross-sector collaborative grant-making model, including:
How THCI structures governance to empower community leaders with decision-making authority
The decision-making framework for scaling and sustaining promising practice investments
Recommendations for partnering with philanthropy to advance sustainable, community-centered initiatives
Key Takeaways
1. Philanthropic partnerships can unlock access to unrestricted funds that drive long-term impact.
2. Intentional governance structures that integrate community voices emphasize their power and legitimacy to drive more informed investments.
3. Health systems should remain flexible to pivot according to the community's pace and readiness.