UW Health announced Wednesday a new $1 million annual commitment to community organizations engaged in antiracism work.
The new funds will support organizations that are working to address inequities in Madison, according to a news release, and are in addition to the more than $3 million UW Health has committed every year to support organizations making a difference in our community.
“The contributions made possible by this additional funding are building upon long-standing relationships we’ve developed in the community and will recognize and expand upon the amazing work our partners are doing with communities of color,” said Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, vice president and chief diversity officer at UW Health, in a statement.
UW Health has prioritized partnering with organizations led by people of color and historically marginalized communities in recent years, and by the end of June 2021, more than 60% of the organization’s community giving will go to organizations led by people of color, UW Health said in a news release.
“UW Health is taking action in the midst of this pandemic because the need is so clear,” said Juli Aulik, director of community relations at UW Health in a statement. “Despite the pandemic’s financial impact on health systems, we need to support communities of color that have been dealing with the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and racism.”
As part of this expanded community giving, UW Health provided $300,000 over the last year to the Latinx Consortium for Action Relief Fund, started at the beginning of the pandemic to support Latinx community members who have been disproportionally impacted and are often especially vulnerable to the pandemic.
“We are proud to stand with UW Health in their open commitment to antiracism,” said Baltazar De Anda Santana, executive director of Latino Academy of Workforce Development on behalf of the Latinx Consortium for Action. “Prioritizing trust-based giving to entities and organizations led by people of color underscores UW Health’s deep commitment to ensuring a healthier Wisconsin for all and we hope others will follow their lead.”
UW Health will announce specific donations in the coming months.
