Fort Wayne, IND. – Jan. 29, 2025 – Parkview Regional Medical Center (PRMC) and Affiliates has announced the recipients of its 2025 Community Health Improvement (CHI) grants in Allen County, distributing more than $1.6 million to local programs and organizations and more than $1.2 million toward Parkview’s community nursing program, focused on promoting health access for underserved populations.
The CHI program, funded through each hospital’s net operating surplus, supports local efforts to address health issues and drive change in those communities, as well as promote equitable health outcomes.
"It's an honor to serve on PRMC’s Community Health Improvement Committee and see the true difference they're making on so many deserving causes and non-profits in our community," said Kathy Callen, a community leader who has served on the PRMC and Affiliates CHI Committee since 2024. "Our discussions continually explore how these dollars can have the greatest impact for the most people, and the results are impressive.”
This year’s Allen County grants focus on four key areas: obesity and food insecurity, maternal and child health, mental health, and access to healthcare, which were determined by the triennial Community Health Needs Assessment in 2022.
“As a non-profit health system, we reinvest a portion of our earnings every year back into our communities,” said Dr. Sarah GiaQuinta, senior vice president, Community Health and Equity, Parkview Health. “In addition to the grants awarded here in Allen County, we also award CHI dollars to local non-profits through a similar process within every community in which we operate a hospital.”
The PRMC and Affiliate’s CHI committee is made up of community advocates and hospital leaders and board members who serve three-year terms. The committee reviews grant applications annually to determine recipients that are aligned with the needs identified in the triennial assessment.
In 2023, the most recent year for which data is available, Parkview Health provided a systemwide total of more than $103 million across the region as part of its commitment to community health improvement and community building initiatives, as designated by IRS Schedule H. This includes supporting other local non-profits, as well as subsidizing health services, research and more. Additionally, Parkview Health provided a total of more than $476 million in charity and uncompensated care, or care for which they received no reimbursement.
2025 Grant Allocations
Obesity and Food Insecurity ($719,879 awarded)
Funding in this category supports initiatives to combat obesity and improve food security, including:
- City of Fort Wayne – Pontiac Street Market: $304,000 to support a market providing fresh produce in underserved neighborhoods.
- Parkview Community Greenhouse and Learning Kitchen: $180,000 to expand access to healthy foods and nutrition education.
- Parkview Health & Well-Being Programs: $112,879 to promote wellness through community-driven initiatives.
- HEAL Initiative – In partnership with St. Joseph Community Health Foundation: $60,000 to advance healthy eating and active living programs.
- Boys & Girls Club: $25,000 to deliver nutrition education and healthy meals to youth.
- Community Harvest Food Bank: $18,000 to distribute food to families in need.
- Homebound Meals: $10,000 to deliver nutritious meals to homebound individuals.
- YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne: $10,000 to expand wellness programming.
Maternal and Child Health ($175,000 awarded)
Programs supporting maternal and child health received funding to enhance prenatal care, family support and health education:
- A Hope Center: $35,000 to provide pregnancy resources and reproductive health education.
- SCAN, Inc.: $35,000 for child advocacy and family support services.
- Healthier Moms & Babies: $25,000 to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
- Early Childhood Alliance: $25,000 to develop health-focused early childhood programs.
- Harold W. McMillen Center for Health Education: $20,000 for health education programs.
- YWCA Residential Services: $20,000 to provide shelter and support for women and children.
- A Mother’s Hope: $15,000 to assist pregnant women experiencing homelessness.
Mental Health ($120,000 awarded)
Investments in mental health that focus on improving access to services and fostering community support:
- Parkview Perinatal Substance Use Disorder Navigator: $65,000 to support pregnant and postpartum women struggling with substance use.
- Mental Health America – Peer Support: $30,000 to expand peer counseling and support networks.
- The Lighthouse: $20,000 for addiction recovery programs.
- RESPECT360: $5,000 to support youth mentorship and emotional resilience initiatives.
Access to Healthcare ($630,000 awarded)
Funds in this category aim to improve access to medical care and essential health services for underserved populations:
- Matthew 25 Health and Care: $230,000 to provide free medical, dental, and mental health care to uninsured, low-income residents.
- Neighborhood Health Clinics: $100,000 to increase access to primary care services.
- Parkview Medication Assistance / Safety Net Script Program: $70,000 to provide medication at little or no cost to uninsured or underinsured patients.
- Sexual Assault Treatment Center: $50,000 to help deliver comprehensive services to survivors of sexual assault.
- Community Transportation Network – Medical Transportation: $35,000 to provide transportation for medical care.
- Northeast Indiana Positive Resource Connection: $35,000 towards prevention and treatment for individuals who are at high risk or are living with HIV/AIDS.
- Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana: $35,000 for patient support programs.
- Brightpoint – Covering Kids & Families: $30,000 to assist with healthcare enrollment/access.
- Turnstone Center Therapy & Wellness Programs: $30,000 to support rehabilitation and wellness services.
- Super Shot: $15,000 to promote childhood immunizations.
Additional Allocations
Beyond these primary categories, $1,212,673 was awarded to Parkview Community Nursing, which partners with local non-profits to offer services such as health screenings, immunizations, resource navigation, and health education to those facing barriers to accessing traditional healthcare services—at no cost to the community.
An additional $50,000 was awarded to health equity “mini-grants” (totaling $5,000 or less) which are reserved for new non-profits and innovative projects that can be applied for year-round.
Grants in other Parkview communities across northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio will be announced as they are finalized later this year. More information about the CHI program can be found on Parkview’s Community Impact page.
For further insights into how Parkview Regional Medical Center and Affiliates and Parkview Health partner with community organizations, visit the following links: Matthew 25 | Turnstone | The Rescue Mission | Super Shot