Our History
The Endowment for Health is a private foundation that funds health-related projects across the State of New Hampshire and works to help shape equitable health policies. We believe that improving health must address many aspects of a person’s life, not just health care.
Our foundation was created in 1999 following the sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Hampshire to Anthem Insurance Companies. The proceeds of the sale of the nonprofit insurance provider to the for-profit company became the assets of New Hampshire's version of a statewide health care conversion foundation -- a growing national trend at the time. After nine public hearings around the state seeking input on how the Endowment should be structured and how its funds should be allocated, our foundation was "born."
Endowment for Health Timeline
1999
- Blue Cross Blue Shield NH sold to Anthem Insurance Companies
- Public hearings conducted across NH to determine structure and use of Endowment
- Endowment for Health officially incorporated (Oct. 29)
2000
- Board of Directors and Advisory Council elected
- Board policies developed
- Investment portfolio created and consultant hired
- Organizational structure established
- Search for first EH president began
- Office established at 14 South Street, Concord, NH
2001
- Staff hired
- Statewide forums held to introduce Endowment to potential grantees
- Theme focus areas developed (oral health and three barriers to accessing health: geographic, social cultural and economic)
- First grants awarded ($2,800,000 to 38 organizations to a total of 41 grants)
- Office operations established
2002
- Oral Health public policy efforts get underway
- Website launched
- Endowment begins participation in Medical Interpretation Advisory Board (MIAB)
2003
- Endowment begins data gathering effort leading to Pillars Project, with funding for a Citizens Roundtable of community, business and health care leaders
- Endowment holds its first Strategic Planning Retreat to further define its focus
- New Hampshire Oral Health Plan: A Framework for Action is released
- Began funding InShape, a Local Funding Partner Initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, for total EH investment of $300,000
2004
- Pillars Project launched
- Watch Your Mouth public awareness campaign launched to educate about the correlation between oral health and overall health
- Stepping Up to the Future -- A healthier Health Care System for New Hampshire report released
- NH Community Loan Fund investment made (first Mission Related Investment)
- EH supported important analysis with research from Georgetown University on a proposed Medicaid waiver
2005
- New Hampshire Citizens Health Initiative formed
- Public policy grants introduced
- NH Medical Interpretation Strategic Plan released
- First online proposal received
2006
- Groundbreaking research on hospital cost shifting is funded
- Ongoing public policy work on a variety of health and health care issues
2007
- Health Strategies of New Hampshire, Inc. formed (operating foundation)
- Endowment concludes its oral health theme having awarded 78 grants valued at $5.3 million
- Value statements approved
2008
- Endowment launches five-year, multi-million dollar initiative around children's mental health
2009
- Grant awards exceed $30 million
- Social Cultural theme revised with a focus on racial, ethnic and linguistic minorities
- Program Related Investing (PRI) launched for select safety-net providers
2010
- The Endowment for Health celebrates a decade of program work!
2011
- NH Citizens Health Initiative becomes part of UNH Institute for Health, Policy and Practice
- Founding President James W. Squires retires from the organization
- EH launches a national search for its next president
- Geographic Barriers theme concludes
2012
- Steven Rowe joins EH as President
- EH Board of Directors renews its commitment to the Children's Mental Health theme for an additional 5 years
- Social Cultural theme is re-framed with a new name: Advancing Health Equity
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