Cobb & Douglas Public Health in Georgia recently received a model practice award from the National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO) for their work utilizing a 501(c)3 foundation to diversify their public health funding. After learning a little more, staff began researching what public health foundation models currently existed around the country (Exhibit A).
Each foundation or fund has a slightly different model and framework. Information was gathered on their structure, interaction with the local health jurisdiction, staffing, board composition, and coordination with the board of health, etc. Weed Graafstra has also been consulted to begin looking into any legal restrictions within Washington State, specifically regarding in-kind support of Health District staff and resources in conjunction with a public health foundation.
The Budget Ad Hoc Committee was briefed on September 11 and requested that the Public Health Advisory Council (PHAC) review the presented information and provide feedback, citing that we need to do something different for the future of the Snohomish Health District.
Staff presented compiled research to the PHAC on September 27. One member expressed concern that the county and cities might be less inclined to contribute to public health funding. The PHAC was supportive of moving forward, and several members expressed interest in being on an ad hoc committee should the Board decide to proceed in that direction.
Staff also presented to the Program Policy Committee on October 11, and the Executive and Administration Committees for briefings on October 23. The committees expressed support of new funding sources and opportunities and directed this to go to the full Board.
Based on input from the PHAC and Board committees, a recommendation to create an ad hoc committee is being brought forward. Staff suggest the committee be comprised of three to four members from the Board and two to three members from the PHAC. The time commitment would be 1.5-2 hours every two to three weeks to work through research and options for consideration.
Some of the threshold discussions are anticipated to include:
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Legal considerations – in-kind contributions from the Health District, IRS, accounting
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Board formation – governance, number and type(s) of members, appointment process
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Organizational structure – staffing, financials, bylaws, charter
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Strategic focus – scope, funding allocations, program evaluation, types of fundraising
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Business plan – goals for first two to three years, objectives and measures
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Budget needs – investment(s) from the Health District to form the foundation.
Once the ad hoc feels it has addressed all necessary issues, recommendations would be brought forward to the Board for consideration and possible action(s).
The Executive Committee discussed this recommendation at its November 27 meeting and concurred, noting that the ad hoc committee can be formed by the Chair of the Board. Three to four members of the Board are requested to participate, with a call for volunteers happening in December. An invitation would also be extended in January to new Board members. Upon Board approval, staff will also reach out to the PHAC to solicit interested members for final approval by the Chair of the Board.