Dignity Health Dominican Hospital Awards $241.5K in Community Health Grants to Local Non-Profits

Santa Cruz, CA – April 9, 2026 –  Dignity Health Dominican Hospital has awarded $241,500 in grants to nonprofit organizations in the communities it serves in Santa Cruz County. The grants, part of the CommonSpirit Health Community Health Improvement Grants program, are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of vulnerable and underserved populations.

Dignity Health Dominican Hospital received a record number of 27 grant applications from collaborating 501(c)3 non-profit organizations, demonstrating the high need for funding and services in our community.

All the applicants submitted excellent proposals; however, due to limited funding, Dominican’s Community Grants Committee elected to fund proposals that addressed two or more or the significant community health needs identified in Dominican Hospital’s 2025 Community Health Implementation Strategy. Those health needs are: behavioral health, health care access and delivery, and economic security.

“Dominican Hospital is investing in a healthier community for all through its 2026 Community Health Improvement Grants. These funds empower organizations to deliver essential health services beyond our hospital walls,” said Dominican Hospital’s president and CEO, Nanette Mickiewicz, MD.

The grant program helps to improve community health and health equity, and enhance local service systems, via restricted charitable contributions for defined projects.

The following organizations received grants to support activities between March 2026 and February 2027:

• Dientes Community Dental Care - Coordinated Dental Care for Homeless - $40,000.
• Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County - The Diversity Center's LGBTQ+ Mental Health and Well-being Initiative – $35,000.
• Hospice of Santa Cruz County - Meeting people earlier. Training those they already trust. Supporting the whole family. – $40,000.
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz - Nourishing Our Community: A Hub for Health and Hope – $91,500.
• WomenCare - WomenCare Cancer Support Services – $35,000.

More information about Dominican Hospital can be found here.

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About Dignity Health California

Dignity Health California is a nonprofit network of over 9000 physicians, more than 35,000 employees, 29 acute care hospitals, and 200-plus care centers, including community hospitals, urgent care, surgery and imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics. Dignity Health California provides award-winning care to communities in five primary markets across the state: North State, Sacramento, Central Valley, Central Coast, and Southern California.

Dignity Health is a member of CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and underserved. Learn more at DignityHealth.org and CommonSpirit.org.

About CommonSpirit Health

Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future for all through its integrated health services. As one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, CommonSpirit Health delivers more than 20 million patient encounters annually through more than 2,300 clinics, care sites and 138 hospital-based locations. In addition to its home-based services and virtual care offerings, CommonSpirit has more than 160,000 employees, 45,000 nurses and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice providers across 24 states and contributes more than $5 billion annually in charity care, community benefits and unreimbursed government programs. Together with our patients, physicians, partners and communities, we are creating a more just, equitable and innovative healthcare delivery system. Learn more at commonspirit.org.