In Fiscal Year 2020, the Foundation approved a total of 21 grants awarding more than $1.3 million.
Here are some highlights:
Healing post-burn trauma
The Board approved a $34,000 grant to provide clinical psychological support to improve the emotional and mental health of burn patients and their families suffering from the trauma of a significant burn injury.
Ensuring sustainability of change in the Tenderloin
The Foundation approved an $18,000 matching grant to the Tenderloin Community Benefit District to support the development and implementation of a 5-Year Sustainability Plan and community theory of change project. This grant was co-funded by the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development.
Supporting continuing education for Hospital staff
The first ever Moy’s Hero Scholarship Grant was awarded to a distinguished nurse, Donnie Nelson, for his heroic every-day care for the hospital patients and staff. Donnie is true a patient favorite at Saint Francis, and this grant will provide support as he advances his education toward his professional goals.
Supplying new rehabilitation tools for stroke patients
The Foundation granted nearly $28,000 in funds to purchase a suite of innovative tools for Acute Rehabilitation and the Outpatient Neuro Clinic called the Smart Glove, Smart Board, and Music Glove. These devices facilitate improvement in use of hand function and neuromuscular use for individuals who have suffered from a stroke.
Enabling funeral arrangements for patients’ families
The Foundation was honored to help five families of deceased patients make final arrangements for their deceased family member, regardless of ability to pay. The Foundation did not want the costs of these arrangements to be an obstacle in honoring a loved one.
Hiring and training of eight new Burn Unit nurses
The board approved a $90,656 grant to hire and train eight additional nurses to be able to work in the Burn Unit – in preparation for fire season and the next crisis situation. This evidence-based practice was implemented several years ago and has ensured that the Burn Unit can provide appropriate nursing levels as volume increases.
Creating innovations in surgical tools for Gender Institute
The board approved nearly $191,000 grant to purchase the Mitake MM51 Microscope. This innovative tool enables state-of-the-art microsurgical procedures at Saint Francis and has been used by surgeons in Gender Health, the Burn Unit and many others.
Providing emergency funds to Hospital staff at start of COVID pandemic
In direct response to the economic challenges from COVID-19, the Foundation issued needs based grants to more than 150 hospital employees for emergency relief.
Providing virtual contact for COVID patients with loved ones
The Foundation purchased iPads for the Hospital to enable communication between patients and their loved ones while the Hospital was restricting outside visitors during the initial phase of the COVID pandemic. This connection was often the only way patients could see a family member’s voice or see their face during this challenging time.
Creating a Triage supply fund during pandemic preparation
The board approved a $200,000 triage fund in the event of additional funds were needed by the Hospital to stem the crisis – to date, none have been needed as the Hospital and the city have successfully managed the potential surge in COVID patients.
Addressing the needs of Transgender community during COVID
The Foundation approved a $30,000 grant for San Francisco Community Health Clinic to support and sustain their Trans Health & Wellness Project – an adapted model to address food insecurity and behavioral health needs during the pandemic. Their services are very complimentary to the emergency services we provide (ER and Behavioral Health Unit), as well as the Gender Institute’s focus on trans and gender non-binary health and wellbeing.
Supporting continuing learning and training for Hospital staff
The Foundation approved more than $28,000 in grants in support of training, certification programs, and scholarships for clinical and non-clinical staff to advance care provided in the Burn Unit, Medical Surgical Units, Physical Therapy, and SFMH Auxiliary Scholarship recipients.