Philanthropy. In action.

Our Purpose
Every day we work to support and build inclusive, powerful, and healthy communities characterized by racial equity and economically just systems.
Our Mission
Achieve health equity and secure a fair and just region through leadership, advocacy, and resources.

Purpose areas

A desire for change, for racial and economic equity, and for healthier communities lies at the core of every effort we undertake.

People

We advocate for the health of people that make communities thrive. Our efforts focus on whole-person care — from physical and behavioral to oral health and social services. And we support innovative ideas that make our health care system more inclusive.

Power

Powerful communities are healthy communities. We work to adjust the balance of power by encouraging community members to participate in democracy, amplifying community movements, and supporting community leaders and advocates.

Place

The places we live impact how healthy we are. Our approach to improving where we live focuses on two influential social factors: housing and digital access.

Platform

How healthy we are is strongly influenced by our society’s systems, policies, and stories.

To advance racial equity and economic inclusion, Health Forward is partnering with local governments and funders to center equity and race in all policies, systems, and decisions. We are reshaping the way people understand and talk about racial, economic, and health equity. And we are aligning our invested resources in a way that advances our purpose and has a positive impact on the people and communities we serve.

Stories of change

The stories we elevate are as diverse as the communities we serve. Discover some of the ways the Kansas City region is working toward a future of health equity.

01 / 04

Mission Vision Project KC fuels the Black physician pathway

Studies show that Black patients treated by Black doctors have better health outcomes and experience higher patient satisfaction.

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02 / 04

No quality without equity, no equity without quality

More than 50 local organizations are following in the footsteps of Kansas City's pioneering Black doctors to fix what never should have been.

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03 / 04

New policy ensures KC tenants facing eviction have lawyers

A relatively new policy in Kansas City is ensuring tenants facing eviction have the legal representation they deserve — keeping more people housed and healthy.

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04 / 04

New VP Eusebio Díaz: purpose plan builds on years of work

In life, we often walk in the paths laid out by others and in doing so, continue to build a path for those who come after us.

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