As Reno’s only locally owned, not-for-profit, integrated academic health care network, Renown Health reinvests every dollar earned back into the community — in expertise, technology, treatments, training and research — to improve health and prevent illness.
Today, Renown Health’s senior leadership team, along with the chair and members of the Board of Directors, representing more than 8,000 physicians and employees, gathered to celebrate and support 65 local not-for-profit partners working to address the area’s most critical health care needs and build a healthier Nevada.
“For more than 160 years, Renown Health has worked to improve the health of our community,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, president and CEO of Renown Health. “As an essential community asset, and in affiliation with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, we appreciate the trust placed in us and take this responsibility very seriously. Our commitment has grown and evolved through careful consideration of our community’s most pressing health needs. By partnering with other mission-driven nonprofit organizations, we are working to address these issues, which include expanding access to care, enhancing affordability and ensuring that every person can live their healthiest and best life.”
He added, “Improving the health and wellness of an entire population is not easy. It is a huge task. We know that change is constant, and to take on the challenges ahead, we must work together now, with those in the field, to ensure a bright and healthy future for our kids, grandkids and future generations.”
“Today, Renown Health is investing more than $1 million in 65 local organizations to expand our not-for-profit mission to improve the health of our community,” said Chris Nicholas, chief operating officer for Renown Health and CEO of Renown Regional Medical Center. “Over the last 10 years, Renown Health has invested more than $2 billion to support those in need—helping patients who are unable to afford their medical bills; training the next generation of doctors and clinicians; and funding hundreds of vital nonprofit organizations that address critical social and health challenges. It’s a big part of who we are, what we do, and a source of pride for every physician, nurse and employee of Renown Health.”
“One way we keep our commitment to the community is by conducting a periodic, comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA),” said Suzanne Bharati Hendery, chief marketing and customer experience officer. “This includes gathering quantitative and qualitative data to guide our organization’s community benefit and strategic planning. Through this process, we have identified the greatest health needs in our communities, enabling Renown Health to direct resources toward outreach, prevention, education and wellness opportunities where the impact can be greatest.”
Sierra Kelly Martinez, MPH, Director, Customer Engagement Center, added, “The 65 not-for-profit local organizations recognized today have applied for and been selected to receive a Renown Health Better Together 2026 Community Grant for a project that addresses one or more of the three critical health care needs (Mental Health, Access to Healthcare and Community Services, Maternal and Child Health) of people living in the areas served by Renown Regional Medical Center and Renown South Meadows Medical Center.
Supporting Local Nonprofit Partners
The 65 agencies awarded grants for operational and financial support from Renown Health today were:
- Access to Healthcare Network
- Alzheimer's Association
- Amplify Life
- Asian Community Development Council
- Baby's Bounty
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada
- Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows
- Camp Kesem at the University of Nevada, Reno
- Cancer Community Clubhouse
- Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada
- Circle of Life Hospice Foundation
- City of Reno (Reno Adaptive)
- Communities In Schools of Northeastern Nevada
- Communities In Schools of Western Nevada
- Community Health Alliance
- DOULA CO-OP of Nevada
- Domestic Violence Resource Center
- Education Alliance of Washoe County
- Family Health Festival
- Family Respite Care of Nevada
- For Kids Foundation
- Forever14
- Giggles & Grace Foundation
- Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada
- High Fives Foundation
- High Sierra Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
- Hope Means Nevada
- Join Together Northern Nevada
- Latino Arte and Culture
- Life Is Worth It Org
- Mt Grant General Hospital Foundation
- NAMI Nevada
- NAMI Northern Nevada
- Neighbor Network of Northern Nevada (N4)
- Nevada Peer Support Network
- Nevada Rural Hospital Partners Foundation
- Northern Nevada HOPES
- Note-Able Music Therapy Services
- Our Center
- Parkinson Support Center of Northern Nevada
- Project Marilyn
- Quest Counseling & Consulting
- REMSA Health
- RennerVation Foundation
- Reno Cancer Foundation
- Ronald McDonald House Charities, Northern Nevada, Inc
- Safe Kids Washoe County
- Safe Talk for Teens
- Senior ResQ
- Sierra Kids Foundation Inc
- Sierra Nevada Journeys
- Spread the Word Nevada
- Step1, Inc.
- STEP2, Inc.
- The Children's Cabinet
- The Food Bank of Northern Nevada
- ThinkFirst of Northern Nevada
- Tiny Toes
- Truckee Meadows Tomorrow
- University of Nevada School of Public Health, Community Behavioral Health Collaborative
- University of Nevada, Reno: Orvis School of Nursing
- Urban Roots Garden Classroom
- Veterans Guest House
- Volunteers of America Northern California and Northern Nevada
- Washoe County Behavioral Health Crisis Response System
The awards process follows a rigorous and thorough scoring process by a panel of public health experts, designed to ensure fairness, transparency and the selection of the most impactful projects, these 501©(3) organizations have been awarded grants determined by their alignment with priority populations, the scope of work, and the strength of their project plans. The Renown’s Community Benefit grant funding process for 2026 is now complete. It is anticipated that the grant funding process will open again in 2027.
The success of the health system’s partnerships in improving the health of Washoe County is measured in the health statistics and data that are reported at the local, state, and national level on the website, NevadaTomorrow.org.
The Community Benefit program supports Renown Health’s commitment to caring for the people of northern Nevada. Notably, and to improve access to care, Renown provides a disproportionate amount of Medicaid care for our community. In Calendar Year 2024, Renown Health provided $196.1M in Community Benefit, predominantly for reimbursed healthcare services, community health improvement and health professional education.
“Our Community Health Program supports Renown’s mission, vision and values in a very tangible way; by identifying the most urgent health care needs, and directing allocated resources more effectively for outreach, prevention, education and wellness initiatives,” says Kerry Kelly, MPH, Community Health Manager, Renown Health. “We work with clinical experts and community partners to develop approaches that target the social determinants of health, to complement our healthcare system’s current services, offering quality, affordable healthcare to everyone, and improving the overall health of our community.”
About Renown Health
As the state’s first not-for-profit academic health system, Renown Health is dedicated to transforming lives, strengthening communities, and providing care for all people across Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Together with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Renown Health improves health and lives through exceptional care, comprehensive education and training, and innovative research to ensure a healthier future for Nevada. To join the team, visit renown.org/careers.
