Project Category
Good Plan for Shifting Systemic Health Inequities
Program Strategy for Michael Reese Health Trust
Year
January 2022
Client
Michael Reese Health Trust
Project Summary
The Michael Reese Health Trust is committed to a healthy Chicago. For over two decades, Michael Reese has continued to ensure all Chicagoans have the resources they need to live healthy lives, and in collaboration with partners, have committed to funding ideas and opportunities that have the greatest impact.
To make a positive impact, Michael Reese found themselves at an inflection point. They had key decisions to make to ensure that the foundation’s resources remain effectively channeled to bring significant impact and sustainable change.
Recognizing the need for this clarity, Michael Reese partnered with Good Plan to develop a Program Strategy focused on assessing the current state and boldly sunsetting areas that were pulling Michael Reese away from core strategy.
Uncovering Program Priorities
Good Plan initially recognized the need to define key program design and structure components for Michael Reese. Through a strategic workshop, Good Plan was able to narrow eight program areas of Michael Reese down to four in order to focus funding priorities.
Considerations around whether or not something was a direct service, if relationships have shifted in the community, if there was governmental support or not, and a deep look at the impact being made were all laid out on the table by Good Plan so that Michael Reese could analyze the whole picture.
Setting Focused Funding
Good Plan recommended that Michael Reese sunset four areas where they have made a significant impact in the past, but are not current priorities. This helped align internal initiatives and give opportunity to support external solutions through other organizations or governmental agencies.
Many of these organizations are already taking the lead, and although Michael Reese may have been making a dent in providing solutions and care, partnering rather than internally focussing funding would create effective systemic solutions.
