Our My Health Advocates website is getting a facelift. We think you are going to love some of resources we’re adding and hope to have the new website back online soon. In the meantime – if you have any questions or need more information about our innovative Personal Health Advocate Service, please give us a call at 855-WA-HEALTH (855-924-3258) or send us an email at:info@whf.org.

Our financial struggles are directly tied to our different approach to health improvement. Once a multi-million dollar organization, we consciously chose to aggressively spend our reserves to create major change in health and health care, rather than doling out small amounts of interest earnings toward only marginal change (as many other foundations and government do). While our bank account has suffered, we believe it was the right thing to do.

We do not know where our new journey will lead us. It is very early in our exploration of what comes next. But we do know where it will start – with the needs and voices of the people of Washington. Furthermore, we will never compromise the vision and values that we have embraced for the past 20 years. The past is our prologue, not for the sake of nostalgia, but as proof that you can make a difference – in a different way.

The journey takes its first small steps today with the unveiling of our new website at www.whf.org. Through this, we will celebrate our many accomplishments over the past 20 years. From the 160 major programs and innovative activities we designed, built and championed, to the 500-plus grants we awarded to create better health in communities across our state. We will also share the valuable lessons learned as to what made so many of them – so successful.

One reason for our success is our unwavering willingness to step into the background when our practical solutions take root. While many others seem more focused on press clippings and credit for projects half-done, we fully committed ourselves to the change – not the headlines. We want that to continue. But we do need you and many others to stand with us as we move into this New Beginning.

Washingtonians have blessed us with their involvement in our work over the past 20 years. Tens of thousands of you helped turn our Healthiest State in the Nation Campaign into the largest civic engagement project for health in state history. It is an incredible accomplishment and one that leaves us honored and humbled. But to succeed in the next step of our journey, we need you again. Please help by sharing your ideas, your participation, or your financial contributions.

Thank you for all that you have done, and will do, as we take the first few steps into our New Beginning!

We take great pride in the many things we have accomplished, together with the people of Washington, over the past two decades. You helped us build the Healthiest State in the Nation Campaign into the largest civic engagement project for health in our nation’s history! Along the way – you generated more than 25 million miles of health. We awarded more than 500 grants worth 15 million dollars, and you skillfully used that money to develop innovative programs to bring better health to your communities.  From the Governor’s Health Bowl to the Healthiest State xChange to the more than 160 other programs WHF offered over the past 20 years – we have worked with the people of Washington to make a difference in a different way.

While our goal remains the same, our approach is about to change.  Despite the incredible efforts of our staff and your steadfast loyalty to our mission – the economic downturn is forcing us to suspend most of our programs and part ways with most of our staff.  While we will continue servicing our clients, supporting our AmeriCorps members and advocating for reform that puts people’s health first – as of February 1^st, the Washington Health Foundation will move to a limited set of activities while we evaluate our next steps. It is important to note that this is NOT the end of the Washington Health Foundation. It is, instead, a new beginning.

Different – yes. But with the same values, goals and desire to one day make Washington the Healthiest State in the Nation! See you soon…..

Greg Vigdor
Washington Health Foundation President & CEO

Since 1992, the Washington Health Foundation has awarded 600 grants totaling more than 12 million dollars! All of it – in the name of better health. Below you will find examples of the work we have done and how that work has made a difference in the lives of people and in the futures of communities across Washington state.

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Since 1992, the Washington Health Foundation has awarded 600 grants totaling more than 12 million dollars! All of it – in the name of better health. Below you will find examples of the work we have done and how that work has made a difference in the lives of people and in the futures of communities across Washington state.

Child Profile is a state wide program that prides itself on saving the lives of children. But there was a time when the Child Profile program itself needed saving…..and the Washington Health Foundation (WHF) was there to help.  WHF provided a special $1.5 million dollar grant to support this incredibly important program, at a time when the state legislature was unwilling to fund Child Profile through general operating revenues.

What’s more, the Foundation led a process to set a more sustainable future path for the organization, even employing an interim executive director to lead the process of exploration.  Greg Vigdor, President & CEO of the WHF, was an active leader of the new futures workgroup.

It has always been our intent to advance our mission and vision by stimulating local action, not by taking credit for our accomplishments.  History frequently forgets who was really responsible for achievements, and that is just fine. Many have no doubt long since forgotten the important role WHF played in saving this program. But the work Child Profile is still able to do today serves as an excellent example of how our organization’s ability to take action will help us one day achieve our goal of making Washington the Healthiest State in the Nation!