• Partnering with purpose
    to elevate care

It’s our mission to help facilitate the life-changing work of organizations handling the toughest socioeconomic barriers to ongoing health. We focus on the areas of greatest need by partnering with organizations with years of experience elevating care in their communities so we can deeply understand and positively impact each issue.

Where we focus our time, energy, and resources to uplift our communities

Housing

Access to safe, affordable, and supportive housing is essential for the health and well-being of people experiencing homelessness. According to the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), supportive housing can aid in recovery, prevent new illness or injury, improve access to high-quality, coordinated care, and promote overall healthier living.

Housing is a crucial aspect of wellness and can significantly impact the health care journey of people experiencing homelessness.

  • According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the 30-day inpatient hospital readmission rate among patients experiencing homelessness is 50.8%.

The WellSky Foundation is proud to partner with community organizations that deliver safe and effective housing solutions to people experiencing homelessness. Together, we expand our partner organizations’ reach and ability to deliver safe, effective housing.

Food Insecurity

Food insecurity affects the health of individuals across all age groups, heightening their susceptibility to ailments such as asthma, developmental issues, depression, diabetes, congestive heart failure, and more.

  • Malnourishment is prevalent across the United States and is present in 20% to 50% of hospitalized patients and is linked to higher rates of hospitalizations, according to the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.

Ensuring patients and people in need receive nutritious meals can help improve their recovery and wellness. That’s why the WellSky Foundation partners with  organizations to end food insecurity and malnutrition in our communities.

Transportation

According to the American Hospital Association, adequate and reliable transportation services are fundamental to healthy individuals and communities.

  • In 2023, the Journal of the American Medical Association cited that at least 5.8 million individuals annually do not receive necessary medical care due to transportation barriers, according to UC Davis Health. Among older adults, lack of transportation is one of the leading challenges to access health services.
  • According to research published in the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine, older adults living in rural areas and people with lower socioeconomic backgrounds face higher rates of transportation barriers, which impacts their access to health care.

Our partnerships with organizations that reduce transportation barriers help people access necessary care and achieve better health care outcomes.

Isolation

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), social isolation and loneliness are becoming widespread problems in the United States. These issues pose a severe threat to our mental and physical health as they are linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, diabetes, depression and anxiety, addiction, suicidality and self-harm, dementia, and premature death.

  • An analysis published in Nature Human Behavior found that individuals experiencing isolation are 32% more likely to die early compared with those who are not socially isolated.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cited that nearly 1 in 4 adults aged 65 and older in the U.S. are socially isolated.

The WellSky Foundation is proud to partner with organizations that work to build community and companionship for older people who need connection.

Education and resources

The WellSky Foundation supports organizations dedicated to building thriving communities, particularly those that provide education and support to historically underrepresented communities. These organizations are leading catalysts for change, and the WellSky Foundation is honored to support their work in communities across the country.

WellSky Scholars Program

The WellSky Scholars Program is a $1 million fund that provides full nursing scholarships in the Austin, Texas area. The program was established in 2011 to address the nursing shortage and covers tuition, fees, and program expenses for 400 nursing students. The program is part of the Austin Community College Foundation and is currently scheduled to extend through 2027.

WellSky Foundation recipients