Renown Health Distributes More Than $1 Million to Community Health Agencies

As Reno’s only locally owned, not-for-profit, integrated academic health care network, Renown Health reinvests every dollar earned back into the community — in expertise, technology, treatments, training and research — to improve health and prevent illness.

Today, Renown Health’s senior leadership team, along with the chair and members of the Board of Directors, representing more than 8,000 physicians and employees, gathered to celebrate and support 65 local not-for-profit partners working to address the area’s most critical health care needs and build a healthier Nevada.

“For more than 160 years, Renown Health has worked to improve the health of our community,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, president and CEO of Renown Health. “As an essential community asset, and in affiliation with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, we appreciate the trust placed in us and take this responsibility very seriously. Our commitment has grown and evolved through careful consideration of our community’s most pressing health needs. By partnering with other mission-driven nonprofit organizations, we are working to address these issues, which include expanding access to care, enhancing affordability and ensuring that every person can live their healthiest and best life.”

He added, “Improving the health and wellness of an entire population is not easy. It is a huge task. We know that change is constant, and to take on the challenges ahead, we must work together now, with those in the field, to ensure a bright and healthy future for our kids, grandkids and future generations.”

Investing in Community Health

“Today, Renown Health is investing more than $1 million in 65 local organizations to expand our not-for-profit mission to improve the health of our community,” said Chris Nicholas, chief operating officer for Renown Health and CEO of Renown Regional Medical Center. “Over the last 10 years, Renown Health has invested more than $2 billion to support those in need—helping patients who are unable to afford their medical bills; training the next generation of doctors and clinicians; and funding hundreds of vital nonprofit organizations that address critical social and health challenges. It’s a big part of who we are, what we do, and a source of pride for every physician, nurse and employee of Renown Health.”

“One way we keep our commitment to the community is by conducting a periodic, comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA),” said Suzanne Bharati Hendery, chief marketing and customer experience officer. “This includes gathering quantitative and qualitative data to guide our organization’s community benefit and strategic planning. Through this process, we have identified the greatest health needs in our communities, enabling Renown Health to direct resources toward outreach, prevention, education and wellness opportunities where the impact can be greatest.”

Sierra Kelly Martinez, MPH, Director, Customer Engagement Center, added, “The 65 not-for-profit local organizations recognized today have applied for and been selected to receive a Renown Health Better Together 2026 Community Grant for a project that addresses one or more of the three critical health care needs (Mental Health, Access to Healthcare and Community Services, Maternal and Child Health) of people living in the areas served by Renown Regional Medical Center and Renown South Meadows Medical Center.

Supporting Local Nonprofit Partners

The 65 agencies awarded grants for operational and financial support from Renown Health today were:

1. Access to Healthcare Network
2. Alzheimer's Association
3. Amplify Life
4. Asian Community Development Council
5. Baby's Bounty
6. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada
7. Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows
8. Camp Kesem at the University of Nevada, Reno
9. Cancer Community Clubhouse
10. Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada
11. Circle of Life Hospice Foundation
12. City of Reno (Reno Adaptive)
13. Communities In Schools of Northeastern Nevada
14. Communities In Schools of Western Nevada
15. Community Health Alliance
16. DOULA CO-OP of Nevada
17. Domestic Violence Resource Center
18. Education Alliance of Washoe County
19. Family Health Festival
20. Family Respite Care of Nevada
21. For Kids Foundation
22. Forever14
23. Giggles & Grace Foundation
24. Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada
25. High Fives Foundation
26. High Sierra Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
27. Hope Means Nevada
28. Join Together Northern Nevada
29. Latino Arte and Culture
30. Life Is Worth It Org
31. Mt Grant General Hospital Foundation
32. NAMI Nevada
33. NAMI Northern Nevada
34. Neighbor Network of Northern Nevada (N4)
35. Nevada Peer Support Network
36. Nevada Rural Hospital Partners Foundation
37. Northern Nevada HOPES
38. Note-Able Music Therapy Services
39. Our Center
40. Parkinson Support Center of Northern Nevada
41. Project Marilyn
42. Quest Counseling & Consulting
43. REMSA Health
44. RennerVation Foundation
45. Reno Cancer Foundation
46. Ronald McDonald House Charities, Northern Nevada, Inc
47. Safe Kids Washoe County
48. Safe Talk for Teens
49. Senior ResQ
50. Sierra Kids Foundation Inc
51. Sierra Nevada Journeys
52. Spread the Word Nevada
53. Step1, Inc.
54. STEP2, Inc.
55. The Children's Cabinet
56. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada
57. ThinkFirst of Northern Nevada
58. Tiny Toes
59. Truckee Meadows Tomorrow
60. University of Nevada School of Public Health, Community Behavioral Health Collaborative
61. University of Nevada, Reno: Orvis School of Nursing
62. Urban Roots Garden Classroom
63. Veterans Guest House
64. Volunteers of America Northern California and Northern Nevada
65. Washoe County Behavioral Health Crisis Response System

Guided by Community Needs

The awards process follows a rigorous and thorough scoring process by a panel of public health experts, designed to ensure fairness, transparency and the selection of the most impactful projects, these 501©(3) organizations have been awarded grants determined by their alignment with priority populations, the scope of work, and the strength of their project plans. The Renown’s Community Benefit grant funding process for 2026 is now complete. It is anticipated that the grant funding process will open again in 2027.

The success of the health system’s partnerships in improving the health of Washoe County is measured in the health statistics and data that are reported at the local, state, and national level on the website, NevadaTomorrow.org.

The Community Benefit program supports Renown Health’s commitment to caring for the people of northern Nevada. Notably, and to improve access to care, Renown provides a disproportionate amount of Medicaid care for our community. In Calendar Year 2024, Renown Health provided $196.1M in Community Benefit, predominantly for reimbursed healthcare services, community health improvement and health professional education.

“Our Community Health Program supports Renown’s mission, vision and values in a very tangible way; by identifying the most urgent health care needs, and directing allocated resources more effectively for outreach, prevention, education and wellness initiatives,” says Kerry Kelly, MPH, Community Health Manager, Renown Health. “We work with clinical experts and community partners to develop approaches that target the social determinants of health, to complement our healthcare system’s current services, offering quality, affordable healthcare to everyone, and improving the overall health of our community.”

About Renown Health

As the state’s first not-for-profit academic health system, Renown Health is dedicated to transforming lives, strengthening communities, and providing care for all people across Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Together with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Renown Health improves health and lives through exceptional care, comprehensive education and training, and innovative research to ensure a healthier future for Nevada. To join the team, visit renown.org/careers.