Kansas Health Foundation

The Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) is a nonprofit organization based in Wichita, Kansas (USA), but is statewide in its focus and grantmaking abilities. Its mission is to improve public health and wellness throughout Kansas. Through grantmaking, the foundation works to "improve the health of all Kansans by promoting health and wellness in schools, neighborhoods and workplaces; to grow leaders in communities; inspire decision makers; and act as a voice for healthy public policy in Kansas for generations."

The KHF (originally the Wesley Medical Endowment Foundation) has shifted from its original focus on medical cures, instead switching predominantly towards preventive solutions for public health. It uses a wide range of approaches. For instance, it has funded warm clothing for schoolchildren, currently funds public health research and data, and attempts to develop future civic and healthcare leaders.

With over $500 million in net assets [1], the KHF is one of the nation's wealthiest such foundations.

In 1985, the Wesley Medical Center, in Wichita, Kansas, one of Kansas' largest hospitals, was sold to the for-profit Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) by the hospital's founder/owner: the Kansas West Conference of the United Methodist Church. The sale’s profits ($265 million) were used to fund two organizations focused on improving health in Kansas:

Over the years, the foundation has helped start the:

The KHF has partnered with over 40 other Kansas community foundations, organizations and programs, largely to help fund and promote health and wellness improvement efforts throughout the state.

In 1997, the KHF focused more specifically on children's health. Partnering with the state's largest advertising agency, Sullivan, Higdon, Sink, the KHF developed the "Take It Outside" campaign to urge adults to avoid smoking in homes and buildings where children are present.

The KHF later became heavily involved with Kansas state government, and universities, and local governments in Kansas — particularly through the joint Kansas Public Health Workforce Development Coordinating Council — to fund, develop and coordinate public health workforce training through various educational methodologies, delivery methods and opportunities. Examples have included:

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