About us

Our History

The Healthcare Initiative Foundation was established as a 509(a)(3) grantmaking organization in 1973 as the Suburban Hospital Association (Md.) Foundation. In 1980 the scope of giving broadened and accordingly the name changed to the Suburban Maryland Health Foundation.  The Foundation operated anonymously until 2007, when the board hired the Foundation’s first staff person to facilitate the grantmaking and begin to build a public presence. On July 1, 2012, the Healthcare Initiative Foundation transitioned from a 509(a)(3) charitable support organization to a 501(c)(3) private foundation.

Benefiting from a generally robust economy and exercising careful stewardship, the board of trustees progressively grew the Foundation’s endowment distributing over $86 million since its inception. The Foundation has funded an array of organizations each year, while retaining an exclusive focus on improving health and wellness for those who reside in Montgomery County, Maryland.

On July 1, 2012, the Healthcare Initiative Foundation (HIF) became a 501(c)(3) private foundation. This established the Foundation’s new designation as an independent entity after having been a charitable support organization for almost 40 years. As part of our transition and continuing commitment to health and wellness in Montgomery County, HIF provided Suburban Hospital with a major capital campaign gift.  Since 2012, the Foundation has continued to support  501(c)(3) nonprofits that offer solutions to improve the equitable delivery of high-quality and accessible health and wellness programs and services that protect the safety-net for all those who reside in Montgomery County, MD. 

To learn more about our grantmaking, visit our For Grantseekers page.