Thank you for being part of our story. 

For 40 years, Sierra Health Foundation has been a driving force for advancing health and racial equity and justice across California. This milestone honors not only the transformative work that shaped our legacy, but the enduring partnerships and courageous leadership that helped us navigate challenges and seed lasting change. As we reflect on our shared journey, this timeline highlights 40 pivotal moments that define our commitment to a more just and equitable future. This is our story and it’s yours, too.

1984

Sierra Health Foundation is established as Sierra Foundation for Health
Foundation Health Plan created the HMO Foundation Health Plan in 1983, which in 1984 created Sierra Foundation for Health.

1985

Grant funding begins in a five-county Sacramento region with 44 initial grants
Foundation Health Plan created the HMO Foundation Health Plan in 1983, which in 1984 created Sierra Foundation for Health.

1987

The Foundation's funding region expands to 26 counties
From 1988-1991, Sierra Health Foundation is one of the first organizations in [confirming - California? the U.S.?] to fund care for AIDS patients, providing 103 grants to 42 organizations.

1988

NorCal AIDS Initiative launches as one of the first programs to fund care for AIDS patients
Sierra Foundation for Health is one of the first organizations to fund care for AIDS patients.

1989

The Prenatal Care Access Initiative inaugurates a long-standing Foundation focus on rural and prenatal health care 
The Prenatal Care Access Initiative recruited obstetricians to establish medical practices in rural Californian communities.

1990

The Conference and Education Center opens to provide free conference and meeting space to mission-aligned organizations and agencies

1992

Sierra Foundation for Health changes its name and becomes Sierra Health Foundation

1994

County Partnerships for Healthy Children becomes the Foundation's first long-term funding initiative

1995

Funds seed emerging telehealth/telemedicine programs and managed care consumer rights

1996

The Rural Health Care Access program demonstrates the importance of prioritizing funding for rural communities