Worcester Business Journal Special Editions

www.wbjournal.com Worcester Business Journal • Giving Guide 2015 7 R eliant Medical Group is in the business of keep- ing p eople healthy. Driven by a com- mitment to foster a culture of philanthropy, promote wellness and improve access to care, its charitable arm, the Reliant Foundation, advances good health through grants, community partner- ships and volunteerism. William B. Balcom, MD, Foundation president, said, "Over our histo- ry, we have contributed to more than 50 charities and have impacted more than 54,000 lives every year. We support twenty-five to thirty charitable causes every year." Twice a year the Foundation accepts requests and its granting commit- tee selects those whose programs align with the Foundation's top com- munity grant-making priority, battling childhood obesity. "We look at the impact on the community and the sustainability of the organization," Balcom said. "We direct them to other foundations if their mission is not aligned with ours." "During our last granting meeting, we chose to support eighteen orga- nizations, seven of which were new," he noted. "Two-thirds of the grants are made over multiple years." He emphasized that partnering with a non-profit organization whose mission aligns with the Foundation's vision creates sustainability. "If the organizations deliver on their fore- cast, we'll do everything we can to help them." Focused on battling childhood obesity and providing nutrition education, access to fresh food and care and comfort for Reliant patients, the Foundation teams up with local agencies and organizations to maximize its impact on the community. "We give generously to Let's Go through the United Way and the YMCA. The program teaches families about nutrition and exercise. It offers educational programs and summer camps," Balcom said. "We also support some community farms. This allows families with fewer means to own a part in a farm. They plant seeds and reap the rewards." Reliant's patient support program provides critical access for the most vulnerable patient population. "We offer transportation services, infu- sion pumps and glucose monitors at home and support for services not covered by insurance," Balcom reported. While stakeholders, friends and partners offer external support, the Reliant Medical Group Foundation also raises funds through various events, the biggest being the annual auction and golf classic. "This event has been growing since 2008. This year alone, we took in more than half a million dollars gross, a new record for the event, and added $360,000 to the funds," said Balcom. The Foundation receives additional support from its Grateful Patient program. Balcom explained that patients who've had positive personal experiences with the medical group may donate to the Foundation as a way to honor a Reliant provider or team member and designate where the funds will go. Internally, Reliant promotes volunteerism among its employees. "Our primary purpose is to raise money and provide grants to the community. I love the fact that the medical group places such a significant focus on volunteering. It enriches the culture of our organization," Balcom said. "We serve as a leader and a resource for other medical groups on fund- raising. This makes us better at what we do. We are in the business of caring for people." In 2014, the Foundation awarded $258,000 in grants. "This year we may break $300,000. We have grown our giving fifty percent over the last three or four years," Balcom reported. "Our costs are down and the net contributions are up. We are proud of that and are looking to continue that trend." n RELIANT FOUNDATION Supporting Innovations in Healthy Living Nonprofit Status 2015 (continued) Additionally, while the overall num- ber of jobs in the state declined between 2003 and 2011, jobs in this sector grew 45.9 percent, according to the Donahue report; expected growth between 2004 and 2014 was estimated at only 37.5 percent. Further, in recent years certain popu- lation segments have prompted a sig- nificant rise in need. Since 2003, the number of jobs dedicated to providing services to the elderly and those with disabilities has skyrocketed from 12,574 to 46,227, a 260-percent jump. The report notes that earnings for those in human services positions totaled $3.4 billion, nearly $2.5 billion of which was disposable income. Why is this important? These employees spent those dollars locally, generating approximately $899 million in addi- tional economic activity. This financial injection, in turn, supported 24,262 more jobs in Massachusetts in 2011. In many cases, these human services agencies operate with limited resources despite increasing demands. State and local governments are shifting financial burdens to the nonprofit organizations, according to the National Council of Nonprofits. Yet these agencies continue to fulfill their missions, delivering ser- vices to underserved communities and meeting unmet needs. Volunteers deserve credit for keeping these organizations afloat. The time, talent and energy of thousands of men and women enable these agencies to continue delivering services, creating new programs and offering assistance to children, families, the elderly and those with disabilities. Drawing upon personal expertise or interest, these individuals enhance the organizations' ability to flourish and fulfill their mis- sions. Steven G. Joseph, chair of the board for the Worcester Community Action Council, used apt words to describe the results WCAC achieves: "… families stabilized, students engaged, skills improved and emergencies resolved." He adds, "I know that WCAC improves the quality of life in the present and helps to shape the future." Those senti- ments apply to all the nonprofits high- lighted in this publication. The Worcester Business Journal's 2015 Giving Guide honors local nonprofit organizations whose deeds often go unnoticed, but are much appreciated. As the late British statesman Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." n

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