Community Trust Fund Begun by Freeman Hospitals

The Daniel Freeman Hospitals have established a trust fund that will award grants of $5,000 to $50,000 to community organizations serving social and health care needs, hospital officials announced Wednesday.

The two nonprofit Catholic hospitals, located in Marina del Rey and Inglewood, have dedicated 10% of their annual net revenue to the trust fund. About $200,000 is expected to be available in the first year.

“Our whole history has been about embracing the disadvantaged,” said Sister Kathleen McCarthy, chairwoman of the board of directors. “It’s a risk, but we’re going to walk our talk. The hospital has been blessed and we want to share those blessings with the community.”

Community groups seeking grants can apply through Dec. 1 with a letter detailing their proposal. Organizations that qualify will be asked to submit a formal application in March. The hospital board of directors will award the grants in October 1997.

Freeman officials encouraged groups to submit ideas that address the immediate and pressing needs of the communities surrounding the hospitals.

In a survey of 2,000 community members last year, hospital officials identified three high-priority needs in the neighboring areas: homeless services in Marina del Rey, maternal and child care in Inglewood, and elderly care in both areas.

“I think it’s outstanding,” said Ron Troupe, volunteer board president for the 1736 Family Crisis Center, which operates four battered women’s shelters and a runaway youth shelter. Troupe said he hopes to get a grant for his center, now funded through private, city, state and federal monies. “It would definitely help us to provide more services to more clients. Each year as there are more cutbacks, it becomes more challenging.”