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Community Health Equity Catalyst Strategy

Through CHECS the Ascension St. John Foundation and other partners seek to improve health and well-being in the City of Tulsa, OK. CHECS funding is intended to add to our community's ability to make an impact on health outcomes.

The work is guided by data showing significant health disparities between residents of local zip codes and population groups. Recognizing that a variety of factors shape and influence health, CHECS addresses health care, social and environmental drivers of health. 

Vanguard: SPARK and CONNECT

Opportunities for Tulsa's nonprofit community

2024 Vanguard sessions are complete. Check back in early 2025 for more information.

The Vanguard SPARK Series offers workshops at no cost for nonprofit leaders in the Tulsa, OK area. Vanguard CONNECT provides networking events throughout the year with local nonprofits, funders and consultants.

Vanguard is just one of the innovative ways the Community Health Equity Catalyst Strategy (CHECS) program of Ascension St. John is working to improve local health outcomes.

Our Values

  • Equity
  • Collaboration
  • Humility
  • Accountability

CHECS FY23 Annual Report

Strengthening Our Community

Guided by the values of equity, collaboration, humility, and accountability, our mission is to improve health outcomes and increase health equity in the City of Tulsa. Our vision is that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

Social Drivers of Health Guiding CHECS

Economic Stability and Mobility

Employment, financial literacy, income, and wealth

Education

Educational attainment and career training and development

Healthcare Access and Quality

Access to quality care and knowledge about local health resources

Food Security

Access to healthy food, plus information about healthy eating and nutrition

Neighborhood and Physical Environment

Neighborhood vitality and safety, including healthy and affordable housing

Mental Health and Well-Being

Social and emotional wellness, including positive relationships with family, friends, and neighbors

The CHECS
Strategies

CHECS uses three strategies to improve
health and well-being in Tulsa

Medical Access Programs

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Equity Incubator

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Beacon Grants

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Medical Access Programs (MAP)

MAP supports services offered by local safety net health clinics and other providers

MAP Ecosystem

MAP support is invitation-only (no solicitations accepted)
Medical Access Programs ensure low-income and underserved populations have access to healthcare, dental and mental health services through:

Equity Incubator

Identifying and filling service gaps to improve individual and community health and well-being.

CHECS new initiatives take an upstream approach to improve local health outcomes and help Tulsa area residents have access to high quality care.

Beacon Grants

Open Applications

The application opens just once a year from mid-June to July. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a virtual information session in early June.

  • Seed Grants: $50,000 - $250,000 to pilot innovative projects and programs that are evidence-informed and aim to improve health outcomes.
  • Catalyst Grants: $50,000 - $350,000 to catalyze existing programs that can demonstrate a readiness and need to expand their impact. Programs should have historical data that showcase improvements in participant outcomes.

Invitational Grants

(No solicitations accepted)

  • Community Transformation Grants: $250,000+ over multiple years for projects that transform communities or systems in a permanent and sustainable way. Could include collaborative projects operated by multiple organizations.
  • Capital Campaigns: For projects that benefit a neighborhood or community.

Grant Guidelines

Beacon grant applicants should be able to describe how the funding will allow them to do something they otherwise would not be able to do. In certain cases Beacon grants can replace expired grant funding for successful programs, but are otherwise not intended to maintain current operations. CHECS does not support galas, benefits, fundraising activities, conferences, symposia, or costs associated with indirect rates or administration fees for projects submitted by universities.

As a Ministry of the Catholic Church, CHECS does not promote or condone practices that are contrary to the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, including contraceptive practices, direct abortions, and some reproductive technologies.

Past Beacon Grantees

Local programs and partners are key to achieving the Community Health Equity Catalyst Strategy vision of ensuring that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible

Beacon Open Grant Awards FY2024

Addressing Social Drivers of Health

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Beacon Open Grant Awards FY2023

Addressing Social Drivers of Health

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Beacon Open Grant Awards FY2022

Addressing Social Drivers of Health

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Beacon Invitational Grant Awards

Community Transformation Grants and Capital Campaigns

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