The creation of healthy communities depends on much more than doctors, hospitals and medicines. Recent research indicates that the health outcomes of individuals are determined to a larger degree by the environments in which they live, and factors in their communities unrelated to the health care delivery system — like air and water quality, neighborhood and workplace safety, and access to parks and healthy food options.

Recognizing that real health improvements are tied to systemic reforms beyond the size and scope of its grant making, The California Endowment launched the Center for Healthy Communities in 2006 to bring together community and civic leaders, health providers, advocates and policymakers in the quest for sustainable solutions to California’s critical health care issues.

The Center for Healthy Communities offers a variety of programs and services throughout California, as well as a conference center, research and training facilities in downtown Los Angeles. By combining all these resources in one accessible location, the Center aims to become the premier venue for activities addressing California’s health challenges, and a launch pad for collaborative action.

We believe that health reform will only be achieved through a comprehensive “grassroots to treetops” approach engaging players at every level in the public policymaking process. While grants are and always will be what nonprofits need most from foundations such as The California Endowment, there are other kinds of resources that can also be deployed to maximize the impact of that grant making.