OUR LINE OF WORK
PROMOTING HEALTH & PREVENTING DISEASE
The Health Foundation received a $15 million gift from philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott. This gift will supplement resources available to invest in our network of community partners to improve health and prevent disease.
MacKenzie Scott
Philanthropist and Author
A LETTER FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR AND CEO
Playa de Luminarias – PDN Trail Walk – December 2022
Dear Friends:
Much like the work we do, papel picado, our inspiration for this Annual Report, embodies skill, beauty, creativity, and challenge. Its intricate designs echo the complexity of our mission. Its color and creativity represent the diversity, vibrance, talent, commitment, and generosity of those we serve in our binational, tri-state region.
The Paso del Norte Health Foundation was founded in 1995 to promote health and prevent disease in our region. In 2022, the Health Foundation invested a record $13.7 million in grants and charitable expenses supporting 116 grantees and bringing total grantmaking to more than $237 million since inception. Additionally, the Health Foundation received a generous $15 million gift from MacKenzie Scott that will be thoughtfully invested in the community over the next few years.
In the beauty and spirit of papel picado, we are pleased to share the impact of our work in 2022, independently and in partnership with numerous area entities, across our three priority areas.
PRIORITY AREA: Healthy Living
PRIORITY AREA: Disease Prevention & Management
PRIORITY AREA: Health Leadership
A special thanks to our board members, staff, partners, and grantees for your collaboration and commitment to improve health in our region. We invite you to learn more at pdnhf.org.
Sincerely,
Charles de Wetter
Chair, Board of Directors
Tracy J. Yellen
Chief Executive Officer
GRANT INFORMATION & HIGHLIGHTS
In 2022, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation worked to promote health and prevent disease through grantmaking, collaboration, communications, and advocacy in three main priority areas – Healthy Living, Disease Prevention and Management, and Health Leadership. The Health Foundation’s impact is a result of valued partnerships to effectively plan and implement programs by investing $13.7 million in grants and charitable expenses with 116 grantees across the region to improve health and quality of life in the region. We are pleased to highlight just a few of the partnerships in 2022 that made an impact.
We invite you to learn more about the work of the Paso del Norte Health Foundation at pdnhf.org.
HEALTHY LIVING
To support efforts that promote positive behaviors to prevent disease including healthy eating, physical activity, smoking/vaping prevention, and positive opportunities for youth.
In 2022, the Health Foundation invested $4.91 million to support 55 grants under the Healthy Living priority area.
HEALTHY EATING
To make healthy eating a priority in our community by providing health education, policy, and promotion.
MUSTARD SEED CAFÉ AND AMIGOS GARDEN – Developing healthy eating habits can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. The Health Foundation partnered with Mustard Seed Café and Amigos Garden to provide healthier meals at the cafe with the hiring of a part-time nutrition educator, and nutritional and gardening classes for their Vida Natural program participants. Monthly nutritional and gardening classes include an emphasis on identifying healthy portion sizes and increasing fruits and vegetables in one’s diet with 30-40 participants per month.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
To make physical activity the easy choice for the residents of our region through the promotion of exercise, outdoor activity, trail and park development, and use.
PLAYA DE LUMINARIAS – Playa de Luminarias was a fun holiday event for the whole family along the Playa Drain Trail. More than 300 residents walked along the illuminated Playa Drain Trail on Independence Drive, serenaded by mariachi music, with visits from elves, the Grinch and much more. This event was supported by the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, which promotes the trail as a safe place for physical activity for residents in our region. The Playa Drain Trail stretches 8.3 miles from Ascarate Park to Capistrano Park and is part of a 68-mile countywide Paso del Norte Trail that will span the length of El Paso County when completed.
SMOKE/VAPE-FREE PASO DEL NORTE
To support coalition and media efforts to prevent and reduce the use of vaping devices through education and outreach to parents, teachers, and youth.
VAPING – New reports indicate more than 2 million U.S. youth currently use e-cigarettes. About 2 in 4 use e-cigarettes frequently and 1 in 4 use e-cigarettes daily. Smoke-free Paso del Norte, which is an initiative of the Health Foundation and advocates for tobacco control and prevention, developed a new, hyper-targeted campaign to inform parents, school teachers, and community stakeholders on the importance of identifying a vaping device. The campaign “Can you spot the vape?” builds on skills of learning how to recognize vaping devices and supports parents on talking to their children about the dangers of vaping.
HEALTHY KIDS
To improve a range of health outcomes by engaging disconnected youth ages 5-17 in high quality programs during out-of-school hours.
OPI (ORGANIZACIÓN POPULAR INDEPENDIENTE) – Research has shown out-of-school programs support students’ academic achievement and may play a role in reducing health disparities. For more than 30 years, Organización Popular Independiente, A.C. (OPI) has offered families in Ciudad Juárez a safe environment for children to engage in healthy programs and activities. The Health Foundation has partnered with OPI to provide more than 600 participants, ages 5 to 17, with out-of-school and summer activities such as soccer, basketball, music, dance workshops, and artistic make-up among others that encourage a healthy future by promoting good decision-making, healthy friendships, academics, and emotional resilience. Niñas, niños y jóvenes en acción program has allowed participants to build friendships, improve academically, channel feelings of anger and stress, and stay linked to positive activities that promote healthier development.
As a result, participants enhanced their social skills, build character, have reduced health risks associated with disconnection, and have better long-term health outcomes.
ORGANIZATION GRANT LIST
DISEASE PREVENTION & MANAGMENT
To support and improve efforts to prevent and manage diabetes and mental illness across the region.
In 2022, the Health Foundation invested $3.73 million to support 40 grants under the Disease Prevention & Management priority area.
MENTAL HEALTH AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING
To develop, lead, and invest in partnerships, organizations, programs, and communications to promote emotional well-being, reduce stigma, and negative bias, and improve access, ease of navigation, and continuity of care for mental and behavioral health services.
THINK.CHANGE BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF EL PASO – Research shows that 50% of all mental illnesses begin by age 14 and 75% by the mid-20s. With support from the Health Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso is helping the community address these youth mental health concerns, helping enhance mental health awareness and reduce stigma and negative bias. Youth Mental Health First Aid is a beneficial program for teachers, school staff, coaches, camp counselors, youth group leaders, parents, and adults who work with youth. It is designed to teach caring citizens how to help an adolescent (ages 12-18) experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or crisis. The Mental Health First Aid program has made it possible for Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso staff members to become Mental Health First Aid Instructors. The agency now offers training to mentors and parents to become certified Mental Health First Aiders creating awareness and reducing stigma.
DIABETES
To develop, lead, and fund organizational and systems improvements, evidence-based programs, and awareness activities for diabetes prevention, early detection, and management.
EMPOWER PROGRAM – The national rate of obesity among kids ages 2 to 19 increased to 22.4% in 2020, up from 19.3% in 2019, according to the State of Childhood Obesity organization. Type 2 diabetes is no longer just seen primarily in adults, due to the increase of childhood overweight and obesity. The Empower Program at El Paso Children’s Hospital, funded partially by a grant from the Health Foundation, is for children who are at risk for developing or have been diagnosed with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes. Each child works with a specialized dietitian and social worker to receive a personalized plan, including specific and achievable goals, to make positive lifestyle changes, overcome barriers, and manage their diabetes. Since opening in October of 2020, over 700 children have been seen at the Empower Program.
DIABETES
More than 37 million U.S. adults have diabetes, and 1 in 5 don’t know they have it.
DIABETES, NOW WHAT? CAMPAIGN – The Diabetes, Now What? campaign was designed to be an informative resource and promote access to diabetes education classes in the Paso del Norte region through www.diabetesnowwhat.org. The Health Foundation and El Paso Center for Diabetes have collaborated with a variety of organizations and businesses to support individuals with diabetes and promote awareness and advocacy through the Diabetes Alliance.
ORGANIZATION GRANT LIST
HEALTH LEADERSHIP
To support leadership development for executives, boards of directors, and nonprofit organizations. Leverage resources through partnerships, invest in strategic initiatives and catalytic projects, and respond to immediate needs for the benefit of the region’s health.
In 2022, the Health Foundation invested $2.71 million to support 21 grants under the Health Leadership priority area.
REALIZE LEADERSHIP
To inspire already effective leaders to become transformational leaders for the benefit of the region’s health and to train nonprofit board members on essential board member skills and knowledge so they can be a greater asset for the organizations and people they serve. REALIZE is dedicated in honor of founding Health Foundation board member Robert H. Hoy, Jr. for his legacy of community leadership.
REALIZE EXECUTIVE – REALIZE Executive includes interventions such as a customized 360 evaluation, executive coaching, two transformational off-site experiences, at least six one-day cohort connect learning sessions, networking opportunities, assessments to measure individual growth, and more. In 2022, REALIZE Executive cohorts launched in both Cd. Juárez and the El Paso/Las Cruces area.
REALIZE BOARD – REALIZE Board is a partnership between the Health Foundation and United Way of El Paso County to offer nonprofit board members various training opportunities to ensure they are fully prepared to undertake their critical responsibilities.The REALIZE Board provides monthly online “Lunch & Learn” virtual and in-person sessions, prepares cohorts of young professionals for board services, and offers board training retreats. In 2022, the program provided 15 lunch and learn sessions for 154 individuals representing 46 different organizations.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
To catalyze positive change for health by investing in catalytic projects and igniting ideas for wellness.
STATUE DEDICATION AT TTUHSC EL PASO DENTAL CLINIC – Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso commemorated its partnership with the Health Foundation and health partners across the region with the unveiling of a sculpture by El Paso artist Julio Sanchez De Alba. The 8-foot sculpture is located in front of the new Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic in the Paso del Norte Health Foundation Building and welcomes visitors to the clinic and the Hunt School of Dental Medicine. The design represents the logo of the Health Foundation and symbolizes partnerships across the region to improve health and quality of life.
ORGANIZATION GRANT LIST
GRANTS & FINANCES
The Health Foundation ended the year with $271.9 million in assets, up from $130 million in 1995 keeping administrative expenses less than 1 percent of foundation assets and bringing total grantmaking since inception to nearly $237 million.
$130 M
INITIAL ASSETS IN 1995
<1%
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
$237 M
GRANTMAKING SINCE INCEPTION
$271.9 M
TOTAL ASSETS AS OF 12/31/2022
2022 grantmaking
$13.7
MILLION
116 ORGANIZATIONS
2022 IMPACT
The Health Foundation invested $13.7 million in grants and charitable expenses through 116 grants across three priority areas to expand the opportunity for individuals to live healthy lives.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Paso del Norte Health Foundation leads, leverages, and invests in initiatives, programs, and policies that promote health and prevent disease in the Paso del Norte region.
VISION STATEMENT
To ensure that the people in our binational, tri-state region have the knowledge, resources, support, and environment to live happy, healthy, and productive lives.
2022 Board of Directors
PdN Health Foundation Staff
A COMMUNITY OF PHILANTHROPY
The Paso del Norte Health Foundation was established in 1995 from the sale of Providence Memorial Hospital to Tenet Healthcare Corporation with an initial $130 million from the proceeds of the sale. It is a supporting organization to the Paso del Norte Community Foundation and works with the Fundación Paso del Norte, a Juárez-based nonprofit.
The Paso del Norte Community Foundation is a public charity established in 2013 to support the philanthropic goals of individuals, families, corporations, foundations, and nonprofit organizations to improve education, health, social services, economic development, and quality of life in the Paso del Norte region.
The Fundación Paso del Norte is a Juárez-based nonprofit organization established in 2015 by the Health Foundation to lead and promote partnerships and initiatives to improve health and quality of life for people in the Ciudad Juárez, México, region.
CONTACT
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