St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way is one of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health’s eight hospitals in the region.
File photo by John Stearns
Tacoma-based Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is giving $1.8 million to 29 local nonprofits through its 2026 Community Health Improvement Grants program, it announced Tuesday.
It’s the third consecutive year VMFH has invested in Puget Sound-area nonprofits, funding initiatives that address urgent community health needs, including access to care, behavioral health, chronic-disease management, and violence prevention, according to a news release. VMFH received 156 applications for grants, which are funded by contributions from VMFH’s eight hospitals in Burien, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Seattle, Silverdale, and Tacoma, and in partnership with Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health, parent corporation of VMFH.
Program investments to date have totaled $5.2 million, following $1.7 million granted to 27 recipients in 2025, and $1.7 million to 24 groups in 2024.
Julie Manas, who this year became the new president of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and CommonSpirit Health’s Northwest Region, said the grants demonstrate VMFH’s commitment to building healthy communities.
Julie Manas is president of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and CommonSpirit Health’s Northwest Region.
File photo courtesy of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
“This investment reflects our mission to improve health and advance social justice, directly strengthening local organizations that are doing incredible work to support families and communities in our own backyard,” Manas said in the release.
The 2026 Community Health Improvement Grant awardees include:
Alimentando al PuebloBates Technical CollegeBremerton FoodlineCentral Kitsap Food BankChild Care Action CouncilCommunities In Schools Of LakewoodFamilyWorksFood Backpacks 4 KidsInternational Community Health ServicesLeaders in Women’s HealthLifeWireMedical Teams InternationalMulti-Service CenterPeninsula Community Health ServicesPhenomenal ShePlateau Outreach MinistriesProject Access NorthwestShades Of DivinitySound GenerationsSouth Kitsap HelplineSt. Leo Food ConnectionTacoma Housing Development Group (Tacoma Housing Authority)Tacoma Community HouseTeen FeedThe Salvation ArmyUnited Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance – WAUrban League of Metropolitan SeattleVine Maple PlaceYMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties
Doug Baxter-Jenkins, region director of community health for VMFH, said the urgency of addressing food insecurity this year felt more acute than ever, noting many grants will help create more sustainable food systems and reduce barriers to accessing healthy foods.
For example, Bremerton Foodline’s Groceries On the Go will combat food insecurity and social isolation by delivering free, nutritious groceries directly to homebound seniors.
Other grants recipients’ efforts include the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle launching its Safe Futures Initiative, a 12-month violence- and injury-prevention program targeting high-risk neighborhoods; and Phenomenal She will leverage funding to provide crucial mental health services for young women, in collaboration with the Federal Way School District and Black Butterfly Counseling, addressing unique challenges through culturally responsive care, VMFH said.
