Buhl Regional Health Foundation launches new framework to improve Mercer County's children health
Mercer County, Pa. - Buhl Regional Health Foundation (BRHF), a private health foundation, has launched their newly developed Strategic Framework, which calibrates the foundation's priority, focus and strategy for achieving a healthier community over the next three years.
BRHF is a grantmaking organization located in Hermitage, Pennsylvania. The hospital-conversion foundation was formed with proceeds from the sale of the former Sharon Regional Health System and became a private foundation in 2021.
Since it's start, BRHF has granted over $5.3 million to organizations working to improve the health and wellness of the community, along
with $190K granted to local students furthering their education in a health-related field of study.
The recently finalized strategic framework focuses the foundation's efforts, over the next 3 years, on improving the health and wellness of the youth in Mercer County. BRHF seeks to make an impact through health-focused programming, education, grants, scholarships and collaboration with local organizations.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation currently ranks Mercer County as the 57th "healthiest" county in the state of PA, leaving only 10 counties in poorer health. BRHF reviewed the area hospitals' community needs assessments and data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health to determine why Mercer County held such a poor ranking, discovering that the county suffers from a high occurrence of preventable health issues. Scientific research demonstrates that improving the health of children can positively impact the long-term health of an entire community, especially in regard to these preventable diseases.
"The Buhl Regional Health Foundation's vision begins with an investment in the health of our children. A clear focus on youth initiatives, including collaborative community efforts that prevent obesity, improve physical fitness, and promote healthier lifestyles, will lead to an eventual decline in preventable diseases such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and diabetes," shared Jennifer Barborak, Executive Director, BRHF.
BRHF will prioritize their investments through 2026 to endeavors aligned with these objectives, and will support the capacity-building of local organizations who seek to transform the health of Mercer County.
In addition to BRHF's new priority and geographic focus, the foundation's grant process will take a new form as well. Although the foundation may open sporadic grant cycles, BRHF will now work to identify specific needs in the community, issuing requests for proposals seeking resolutions to the needs identified.
Additionally, a new "Mini Grant" is now available to applicants who seek funding for small projects with the potential for large impact on the health of Mercer County's youth. "Mini Grant" applications will be accepted via the BRHF Grant Portal on an ongoing basis.
