FAQ’s

What is the purpose of the Foundation for Community Health?
The Foundation for Community Health was formed to maintain and improve the physical and mental health of all the residents of the area historically served by Sharon Hospital, Inc., especially those most vulnerable.

What communities are included in the area served by Sharon Hospital?
Connecticut: Canaan, Cornwall, Warren, Falls Village, Goshen, Kent, Norfolk, Salisbury/Lakeville, and Sharon.
New York: Amenia/Wassaic, Ancram, Copake, Dover/Dover Plains/Wingdale, Millbrook/Washington, Millerton/North East, Pine Plains, Stanfordville.

View Towns Served

How was The Foundation for Community Health formed?
The Foundation for Community Health was established in 2003 with help from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF) as a result of the sale of Sharon Hospital to Essent Healthcare, Inc.

Connecticut law requires that the net proceeds from the sale of a not-for-profit hospital acquired by a for-profit organization, such as Essent, remain in the charitable sector through the creation of a “conversion” foundation. As stated in the statute, the resulting charitable fund will be used for charitable health purposes consistent with the nonprofit hospital’s original purpose. This process was guided by Connecticut’s Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and formalized by a decision of the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut.

The Foundation for Community Health is a separate, independent corporation acting as a non-profit public charity (501(c)3) and a Type III supporting organization of BTCF. It is governed by its own 15-member volunteer Board of Directors, each of whom maintains residence in the communities listed above.

View Attorney General Final Decision

How much money does the Foundation for Community Health have?
The Foundation for Community Health was initially funded by the net charitable proceeds from the sale of the former not-for-profit Sharon Hospital, to a for-profit corporation, in accordance with the decision of the Litchfield Superior Court. The original settlement approximated $16 million. In addition the Foundation receives income from trusts held by others, which were valued at approximately $6 million at the time of the sale.

For information on the current financial status of the foundation see its Annual Report or 990 tax forms.

View Annual Report | View 990 Tax Forms

Can the Foundation for Community Health receive direct contributions?
As a charitable institution, the Foundation can receive new contributions to further its work to improve the health of the community.

What relationship does the Foundation for Community Health have with Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF)?
The Foundation is currently organized as a “functionally integrated” Type III supporting organization of BTCF.

In this relationship, BTCF nominates 3 persons to the Foundation’s Board of Directors, while FCH has contracted with BTCF for financial, administrative and investment services. BTCF also acts in an advisory capacity on programmatic and administrative topics, while FCH provides BTCF with information and assessments of health-related issues in an advisory capacity for their health-related grantmaking.

What is the Foundation’s current relationship to Sharon Hospital?
The Foundation works cooperatively with the for-profit Sharon Hospital currently owned by Essent Healthcare, Inc. to ensure and augment a network of affordable and accessible health care in the region. The Foundation cannot support programs operated by or for the benefit of any for-profit institution including Sharon Hospital. Nor can the Foundation support services that Sharon Hospital ought to be providing as part of its agreement with the Attorney General of Connecticut.

What is a grant proposal and why is one necessary?
A grant proposal is a document that an organization submits to a funding entity, in this case the Foundation for Community Health. The proposal identifies and describes who is requesting funding, the reason why funding is requested, the details of the project to be funded, the expected outcomes, the process for evaluating the outcome, and a budget for the project.

A grant proposal is necessary to ensure that funds are used effectively for their stated purpose and that the stated purpose is consistent with identified needs and FCH priorities.

Does the Foundation for Community Health work with the community in ways other than granting money?
The Foundation engages with local community Leaders in order to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities. In addition to grantmaking the Foundation:

• Advocates on behalf of persons or groups without adequate service;
• Encourages improved communication and coordination of the work of existing agencies or providers;
• Fosters collaboration and joint ventures;
• Identifies topics and organizes educational opportunities for the community, agencies and local providers;
• Leverages it funds to assist in raising funds from other sources;
• Acts as a resource on health and local demographic data;
• Advocates for solutions to local health concerns at the local, state and/or national levels.

How can I make my voice and concerns heard?
FCH is committed to listening to the issues and concerns of the community residents on a continual basis. To accommodate everyone, there are at least 3 ways that the Foundation can receive your comments:

1. Call our toll-free number, 1-800-695-7210,
2. Connect to the Contact Us page on http://www.fchealth.org on which you can email us your comments or send an email directly to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
3. Send your written comments to Public Comment, The Foundation for Community Health, 155 Sharon Valley Road, Sharon, CT 06069.

All of these contact points are totally private and anonymous. However, if you wish to leave your name and address to be included in future Foundation mailings, you are welcome to do so with any of these methods.