Diabetes Health Promotion Memorial Trust
Groundwork for the creation of the Diabetes Health Promotion Memorial Trust occurred in the 1990s when a community-based coalition of physicians, pharmacists, dietitians, and people with diabetes met to identify and address the community’s unmet needs related to the health of individuals with diabetes. The coalition learned that some needs for education, services, and supplies were not being met through providers or community support groups. Non-English speakers and rural residents were particularly underserved.
In 2000, the coalition formed a nonprofit corporation and accessed funds through the Benton County Health Department to support some local projects. An anonymous bequest from the estate of an individual who believed in the importance of supporting people with diabetes made it possible to establish the Diabetes Health Promotion Memorial Trust in 2002. The first board of directors of the trust included John Landers, Vicki Baker, Pat Eschelman, and Carol Walsh. Management of the trust fund was transferred to the Benton County Foundation in 2009.
The mission of the trust is to promote, through education and outreach, the health of Benton County residents who have diabetes and help reduce the onset of complications from the disease. Its education and outreach projects are varied and are designed to fill a gap in services not met by other community-based health or medical programs. Requests for proposals are invited each January, and fund distributions are made in April or May using the Benton County Foundation’s grants process. Projects funded by the trust in the past include the Oregon State University, the Benton County Health Department, Home Life, Linn Benton Food Share, and Community Outreach.
Anyone can make a tax-deductible contribution to the endowment. Donations and gifts may be made as a memorial to a loved one.