Federal community benefit requirements for non-profit hospitals present a key opportunity for hospitals and health systems, public health departments, and grassroots and community-based organizations to work together to pursue their goals.

At Community Catalyst, we’ve worked for years to help communities and health institutions build sustainable, meaningful partnerships that are centered on the voices and perspectives of community residents who are most directly impacted by inequity and injustice. We know that these partnerships can achieve broader recognition of the community’s vision and priorities, and accelerate progress towards equity and health justice for all.

Two new resources offer important guiding principles for anyone — community leader, advocate, public health or hospital staff — interested in using community benefit to improve community health.

Building Local Capacity to Engage Hospitals: Lessons and Learnings From Three Communities

Grounded in the lived experience of community partners, our new case studies offer lessons and strategies for building partnerships that are mutually beneficial and effective. Follow the stories, successes, and challenges of three community-based organizations and coalitions as they build skills and partnerships with local hospitals to address social and economic challenges impacting the health of local residents —and learn how you can apply this to your own work.

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Hospital Community Benefit Dashboard: Advancing Health Equity and Community Engagement

This dashboard outlines five core principles and indicators that hospital community benefit staff and community organizations can use to evaluate and strengthen a hospital’s current community benefit practices, with a focus on achieving health equity and meaningful community engagement.

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