Mat-Su Health Foundation

What Mat-Su Health Foundation does

Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit health foundation headquartered in Wasilla, Alaska, serving the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. It was established as the philanthropic extension of the Valley Hospital Association and operates three primary program areas: grantmaking (Healthy Impact, Target Wellness, Technical Assistance, Operating, and Strategic grants), scholarships (Academic, Vocational, and Professional Development tracks, with $2,000-$9,000 awards and $2.9M+ disbursed to 561 residents in 2026), and community coalition programs under the Connect Mat-Su and R.O.C.K. Mat-Su sub-brands, the latter coordinating 70+ cross-sector partners. The foundation also maintains the MSHF Conference Center and the Mat-Su Measures community health dashboard.

The foundation's underlying infrastructure is program- and partnership-centric rather than technology-centric. Notable components include the Mat-Su Measures dashboard for community health data, the annual Community Health Needs Assessment co-published with Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, and the MSHF Conference Center as a physical convening asset. Leadership includes President and CEO Esther Pitts, Chief Communications and Impact Officer Vandana Ingle, Director of Philanthropy Ashley Peltier, Director of R.O.C.K. Mat-Su Jessica Clarkson, and Director of Evaluation and Learning Danielle Reed, with Lisa Wade as Board Chair.

MSHF's economic model is that of a place-based health foundation rather than a commercial enterprise. Revenue is generated from endowment returns and contributions originating from the Valley Hospital Association, and the foundation reinvests those funds through grants, scholarships, and direct community programs across the borough. Pricing is grant- and award-based (no commercial pricing), and go-to-market is relationship-driven via coalitions, partner nonprofits, and direct resident outreach. The customer base spans individual scholarship recipients, 501(c)(3) nonprofit grantees, and cross-sector coalition partners, all geographically concentrated in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

Name

Mat-Su Health Foundation

Legal name

Mat-Su Health Foundation

Website

https://healthymatsu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mat-Su Health Foundation is a 501(c)(3) place-based health foundation in Wasilla, Alaska, serving Matanuska-Susitna Borough residents through grantmaking, academic and vocational scholarships, the R.O.C.K. Mat-Su coalition of 70+ partners, the Connect Mat-Su initiative, and the Mat-Su Measures community health dashboard.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Health Foundation Grantmaking

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Health Financing, Budgeting & Grants Management (HLAJAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF), Behavioral Health & Substance Use Program Funding (Public Health) (HLAJALAI), Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

Keywords

• Community health grants
• Healthcare workforce scholarships
• Nonprofit health foundation
• Community health needs assessment
• Collective impact philanthropy

Headquarters

HQ city

Wasilla

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Mat-Su Health Foundation is a 501(c)(3) health foundation that distributes grant funding to qualified nonprofit organizations and awards scholarships to Mat-Su Borough residents pursuing education and careers in health and human services. Its portfolio includes Healthy Impact Grants, Target Wellness Grants, and Technical Assistance Grants for 501(c)(3)s; Academic, Vocational, and Professional Development & Training Scholarships for individuals; community-coordination programs Connect Mat-Su and R.O.C.K. Mat-Su; the Mat-Su Measures public health data dashboard; and the MSHF Conference Center for community use.

Product overview

Mat-Su Health Foundation is a nonprofit health foundation offering a portfolio of grant programs, scholarship initiatives, and community programs. The core offerings include Healthy Impact Grants, Target Wellness Grants, and Technical Assistance Grants for 501(c)(3) organizations. The Foundation operates three key sub-brands: Connect Mat-Su (cross-sector partnership coordination), R.O.C.K. Mat-Su (child abuse prevention collective impact), and Mat-Su Measures (health data dashboard). Scholarship programs include Academic Scholarships, Vocational Scholarships, and Professional Development Scholarships targeting healthcare workforce development. The Foundation also operates an MSHF Conference Center for community events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Connect Mat-Su: A program focused on strengthening partnerships across healthcare, social services, philanthropy, and community organizations to improve outcomes for Mat-Su residents.
• R.O.C.K. Mat-Su

Products and services

• Mat-Su Measures A web-based health data dashboard that compiles Mat-Su-specific health statistics into a single accessible interface for residents, nonprofits, and researchers to understand local health conditions.
• Connect Mat-Su A program that strengthens partnerships across healthcare, social services, philanthropy, and community organizations to improve outcomes for Mat-Su Borough residents.
• R.O.C.K. Mat-Su A collective impact model organization committed to ending child abuse and neglect across the Mat-Su Borough, partnering with over 70 local organizations and agencies.
• Healthy Impact Grants Core grant program providing funding to support health-related projects and services in the Mat-Su Borough.
• Target Wellness Grants Grant program focused on wellness initiatives and targeted health interventions in the Mat-Su Borough.
• Technical Assistance Grants Grants providing technical support and capacity building for nonprofit organizations delivering health and human services in the Mat-Su Borough.
• Academic Scholarships Scholarships for Mat-Su Borough residents pursuing higher education in health and human services fields, with individual awards ranging from $2,000 to $9,000.
• Vocational Scholarships Scholarships for Mat-Su Borough residents pursuing vocational training and certificate programs in health and human services career fields.
• Professional Development & Training Scholarships Scholarships supporting professional development and training for Mat-Su Borough residents working in or entering health and human services fields.
• MSHF Conference Center A conference facility available for community use, supporting meetings and events related to health and wellness in the Mat-Su region.

Quantifiable outcome

• 561 residents received $2.9+ million in academic scholarships for health and human services education in 2026
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Mat-Su Regional Medical Center (MSRMC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2025MSHF partners with Mat-Su Regional Medical Center to conduct the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years. The two organizations collaborate to assess local health conditions, identify health priorities, and develop the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) to translate findings into shared strategies and actions.
• R.O.C.K. Mat-Su Partners (70+ organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerR.O.C.K. Mat-Su is a collective impact model organization comprised of over 70 local stakeholders committed to ending child abuse and neglect across the Mat-Su Borough. MSHF provides structural support and leadership to this collaborative initiative.
• MatSu Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSHF supports the MatSu Food Bank through strategic grants to strengthen food access and build sustainable food systems in the Mat-Su region. The MatSu Food Bank works with over 30 nonprofit partners to distribute food.
• Texas Accountable Communities for Health Initiative (TACHI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeer health foundation visited by MSHF staff and board members as part of a learning trip to Texas. MSHF learned about engaging community voice, investing in economic mobility as a health driver, and shifting systems toward long-term change.
• Go Austin/Vamos Austin (GAVA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-based organization visited during MSHF's learning trip to Texas. One of six community organizations visited providing perspectives on supporting health across large, diverse regions.
• St. David's FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeer health foundation visited during MSHF's Texas learning trip. The organization has restructured strategies and embraced upstream investments with patience and clarity.
• Methodist Healthcare MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeer health foundation visited during MSHF's Texas learning trip, demonstrating approaches to community health investment.
• Episcopal Health FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeer health foundation visited during MSHF's Texas learning trip, showcasing strategies for health systems change.
• Houston Economic Growth CollaborativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization visited during MSHF's learning trip, representing approaches to economic development as a health driver.
• Valley Hospital Association (historical)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical origin of Mat-Su Health Foundation. MSHF's focus on philanthropy is a natural extension of the historical work of Valley Hospital Association.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Health Foundation for Western & Central New York: Regional health foundation focused on community health, healthy aging, and systems change; comparable scale, multi-county service area, and similar CHNA-style community needs assessment approach.
• Maine Health Access Foundation: Statewide health grantmaker in a rural, low-population geography — directly analogous to MSHF's Mat-Su Borough scope and workforce/access challenges.
• The Colorado Health Foundation: Place-based health foundation operating across a single state; comparable multi-focus strategy (healthy living, health equity, behavioral health) and similar grant + convening model.
• California Health Care Foundation: Independent health-focused philanthropy that combines grantmaking, data/analytics products, and policy engagement — directly comparable to MSHF's Mat-Su Measures + grant portfolio approach.
• St. David's Foundation: Texas-based place-based health foundation explicitly cited by MSHF as a peer; both fund community health, support safety-net clinics, and have shifted toward upstream, long-horizon investments.
• Methodist Healthcare Ministries: Faith-aligned health foundation on MSHF's Texas peer trip; both operate as grantmaking + direct-service hybrids targeting community health in defined regions.
• Episcopal Health Foundation: Another Texas-based health foundation visited during MSHF's 2025 learning trip; both foundations focus on community health, health systems change, and grantmaking in defined geographies.

Regional players

• Con Alma Health Foundation: New Mexico place-based health foundation serving rural and underserved communities; comparable mission scope and grantmaking + advocacy model in a challenging geographic market.
• Rasmuson Foundation: Major Alaska-based foundation that also funds health, social services, and workforce development in the same state; overlapping grantee ecosystem and policy environment.
• Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority: Alaska-focused trust that funds mental health, substance use, and disability programs — overlapping with MSHF's Healthy Minds and Healthy Aging focus areas within the same state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/healthymatsu
• Instagraminstagram.com/matsuohealthfoundation
• Xx.com/healthymatsu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mat-su-health-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Mat-Su Health Foundation