Community Benefit gives out $120,000 in grants to address physical activity, nutrition, weight

Aug. 22, 2022 -- In its second and final grant cycle for 2022, Reid Health Community Benefit gave more than $120,000 to 20 area organizations.

Various nonprofits, schools, and other groups received $122,475 for programs focused on physical activity, nutrition, and weight.

Requests were evaluated based on their ability to impact access to exercise opportunities, adults ages 20 and older who are obese, adults 20 and older who are sedentary, child food insecurity rate, and food insecurity rate.

The awards for this cycle include:

• $4,100 to Alquina Blue Arrows Park for improvements to the basketball court and signage for the walking trail.
• $6,125 to Amigos to support the organization's tennis camp.
• $8,250 to Birth to Five for the Parents as Teachers program.
• $9,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County to support the Club Fit program.
• $3,000 to Bridges for Life for food costs for the "Dinner at the Lamp" weekly community meal.
• $7,500 to Circle U for weekend food supplies for students in need at 22 schools.
• $2,000 to Communities in Schools to provide physical education uniforms for students in need as well as shoes that are being donated through the Shoes for Kids program.
• $3,000 to Council on Rural Service Programs for summer running through the Gateway Youth Program in Darke County.
• $5,000 to Crestdale Elementary PTO for inclusive playground equipment for the school and the surrounding neighborhood.
• $15,000 to Franklin County Park for new playground equipment.
• $7,000 to Gateway Hunger Relief Center for food supply costs for the pantry.
• $3,700 to Gleaners Food Bank for additional produce to be distributed in four counties in Reid's service area.
• $5,000 to Golay Community Center for a NuStep recumbent cross trainer.
• $5,234 to Hayes Arboretum to purchase equipment and supplies for the Nature Playscape.
• $4,000 to Hope Center for infant formula for those in need.
• $8,000 to Preble County YMCA to support the LiveStrong and Revitalize programs.
• $4,746 to Richmond Friends School for equipment and supplies to support outdoor play.
• $7,500 to Volunteers of America Fresh Start for the purchase of exercise equipment for an onsite fitness area for residents and their children.
• $6,220 to Wayne County Cardinal Greenway to support the bike loaner program.
• $8,100 to YWCA Dayton Women's Shelter for nutritional supplies for the domestic violence program.

Community benefit is the basis of the tax-exempt status of not-for-profit hospitals. Community benefit is defined as programs or activities that improve access to health services, enhance public health, advance health knowledge through research and education, and/or relieve the burden of government to improve health.

In 2010, the Affordable Care Act added new requirements for tax-exempt hospitals in the areas of community health needs assessment (CHNA), implementation strategy, billing and collections, and reporting. In 2014, the IRS issued final rules implementing these requirements. The goals of these provisions are to ensure tax-exempt hospitals are meeting the health needs of their communities and to ensure greater transparency and accountability.

Grants, along with other specific outreach and requirements to meet Reid Health's not-for-profit status, have put more than $172 million back into the community in the past five years. A committee of Reid's governing board and community members reviews grant requests. The grants are awarded as part of the health system's efforts as a mission-driven, not-for-profit organization.