UCARE FOUNDATION

IN 2025, THE UCARE FOUNDATION APPROVED AND DISBURSED $396,800 IN GRANT FUNDING TO 15 MINNESOTA ORGANIZATIONS AND COUNTY/TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS WORKING TO IMPROVE HEALTH THROUGH INNOVATIVE SERVICES AND EDUCATION IN THE AREAS OF: FOOD SECURITY ASSISTANCE, MOBILE CLINIC VACCINE DELIVERY, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AT THE INTERSECTION OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND HOMELESSNESS. UCARE FOUNDATION HAS A FORMAL BOARD UCARE FOUNDATION COUNCIL THAT OVERSEES AND APPROVES ANNUAL GRANT AWARDS. THE BOARD MEETS ANNUALLY TO DETERMINE PRIORITY AREAS OF FOCUS FOR OPEN SOLICITATIONS. GRANTEES APPLY VIA AN ONLINE GRANT SYSTEM, AND ALL ORGANIZATIONS MUST MEET FUNDING ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES. GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE REVIEWED BY UCARE MINNESOTA-ASSIGNED INDIVIDUALS AND OFTEN SOME MEMBERS OF THE UCARE FOUNDATION COUNCIL. ONCE APPROVED, GRANTEES SIGN A CONDITION OF GRANT AGREEMENT AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUBMITTING INTERIM AND FINAL REPORTS AS WELL AS AGREEING TO PARTICIPATE IN A SITE VISIT BY UCARE STAFF. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECEIVES AN ANNUAL REPORT ON THE USE OF THE FUNDS. UCARE ENSURES THE RECIPIENT IS A QUALIFIED CHARITY OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY AND RECEIVES PERIODIC REPORTS FROM THE ORGANIZATIONS. THE UCARE FOUNDATION SUPPORTED FAIRVIEW HEALTH SERVICES' (FHS) MOBILE HEALTH COLLABORATION PILOT, WHICH SERVED AN ESTIMATED 500 COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT 18 COMMUNITY-BASED CLINICS ACROSS 13 UNIQUE SITES IN THE TWIN CITIES METRO. THROUGH THE PILOT, FHS ADMINISTERED 295 VACCINES, COMPLETED 271 BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS, 48 DIABETES SCREENINGS, AND 142 FLUORIDE VARNISH APPLICATIONS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS. UCARE FOUNDATION SUPPORTED BOUNTIFUL BASKET FOOD SHELF'S FOOD SUPPORT PROGRAM SERVING COMMUNITIES IN CARVER COUNTY THROUGH LOCATIONS IN CHASKA AND COLOGNE. THE GRANT HELPED TO FUND MOBILE FOOD DELIVERY, CULTURALLY SPECIFIC ASSISTANCE, SCHOOL SNACK PROGRAMS, AND EMERGENCY FOOD SUPPORT FOR FOSTER CARE. OVER 7000 COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN HELPED. A GRANT FOR ROUTE 1 MN BOLSTERED THE ORGANIZATION'S EMERGING FARMER INSTITUTE, A NO COST 10-WEEK PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS AND EMPOWERS FARMERS FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS. PARTICIPANTS ARE PROVIDED WITH ESSENTIAL TOOLS, RESOURCES, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNTIIES TO IMPROVE CROP PRODUCTION, DEVELOP FARM BUSINESS SKILLS, AND PRODUCE NUTRITIOUS FOOD FOR SALE TO LOCAL BUSINESSES AND SHARED WITH UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES STATEWIDE.