WomenConnected

Sharing the joy of giving…

WomenConnected is a philanthropic women’s giving circle within the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Foundation where women have the opportunity to combine their charitable contributions and as a group, manage and grant funds to Sarah Bush Lincoln programs and services.

There are two levels of membership. Women donate annual gifts of $500 or $1,000. Membership contributions are pooled together with 75 percent used to provide grants, the other 25 percent into a temporarily restricted endowment that can be used if a specific need arises at Sarah Bush Lincoln. Some SBL programs and services funded include cardiovascular screenings, nursing education, nutrition counseling for overweight children and diabetes programs. Since its inception in 2003, WomenConnected has granted more than $1 million to SBL.

The group most recently awarded grants to programs including Peace Meal, SBL Dental Services, Healthy Communities, Center for Healthy Living, The awards will be available in fiscal year ‘25.

The awards include:

Peace Meal

$13,893.00
Each meal provided to a PM client now costs over $12. This includes food, preparation and delivery, costs for assessment, outreach and education and administrative costs of tracking meals and reporting. About 40% of funds needed is provided through state and federal grants. Another 20% is raised through voluntary $4.00 contributions from clients, but average donation is $2 per meal. The remaining 40% needed to operate is raised through private donors, including WomenConnected. This grant will provide over 1,150 meals. Peace Meal operates on a $300,000 deficit, subsidized by SBLHC.

SBL Dental Services

$33,890 to help provide restorative dental care to more than 250 children.
$4,311 for oral hygiene kits for 4,000 children.

Center for Healthy Living Scholarships

$5,365
Since 2014, the CFHL has offered the medical exercise program, a 120-day program in which participants receive a custom-designed exercise and lifestyle program to help achieve goals and manage chronic illness. Program includes fitness testing, individualized and supervised exercise program and is open to the community with a provider-signed referral. In addition, a wellness and weight loss program is available. This program comes with the same services as the medical exercise program but also includes weekly health coaching sessions and appointments with a dietician.  Grant would fund scholarships to assist with costs of medical exercise or weight loss program prescribed by provider. Eligible participants fall below the Federal Poverty Guidelines. With scholarship assistance, the cost for the patient is reduced. *Scholarships would not be available without WomenConnected funding.

Healthy Communities – Zones of Regulation Equipment

$1,000
Exercise equipment  to provide strategies to help up to 400 children deal with emotions and understand how their actions impact others.

Healthy Communities – Healthy Heroes Challenge

$1,200
Sets goals and provides rewards for students at local elementary students who achieve fitness goals.

WomenConnected meets six times per year with three of those being a members-only “Lunch with the CEO” with SBL President & CEO Kim Uphoff.

If you would like to learn more about WomenConnected or to join, please contact Amy Card in the SBL Health Foundation at 217/ 258-2511.

MEMBERS