Samaritan Awards Social Accountability Grants for Community Health Projects February 16, 2026 Samaritan Health Services has awarded $200,000 in Social Accountability grant funding to several nonprofit organizations that offer programs aimed at improving the health and well-being of residents in Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties. “Our region faces many pressing health needs that have been identified by a collaboration of community partners,” said Paulina Kaiser, Samaritan’s director of Community Health and Research. “We recognize that an individual’s health needs are greatly impacted by social factors, such as where they live and work,” Kaiser said. “Through Social Accountability funding, we hope to leverage resources and build partnerships across our region, creating a more cohesive and sustainable approach to improving quality of life for all.” The successful grant applicants presented proposals that address one or more of the priority areas listed in the Regional Community Health Improvement Plan. Those priority areas are: Improve housing stability with access to affordable housing. Improve access to essential health care. Enhance behavioral and mental health and emotional well-being. Foster inclusion, diversity, anti-racism and equity for a more inclusive and equitable community environment. The Recipient Agencies Are: ABC House (Linn/Benton) $25,000 to provide partial salary support for a forensic medical provider to support child abuse services. Agape Respite Center $25,000 to help hire a part-time health care coordinator to provide wraparound support services at the Lincoln County homeless day shelter. Boys & Girls Club of Albany $10,000 to bring a mental health clinician and bilingual health navigator to B&GC services in Albany. Boys & Girls Club of Greater Santiam $10,000 to train staff in trauma-informed care and implement curriculum to improve coping and emotional regulation skills at Clubhouses in Lebanon and Sweet Home. CHANCE $15,000 to address barriers faced by adults experiencing houselessness in Albany and Lebanon. Crossroads Communities $25,000 to increase staffing for drivers to provide transportation services across the region. Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln County $35,000 awarded to help hire a homeowner services coordinator and establish a homeowner support services committee to help low-income families transition to homeownership. Lebanon Basic Services $5,000 for its rental assistance/eviction prevention project, which addresses financial barriers to securing permanent or transitional housing. Northwest Coastal Housing $10,000 to help with wages for a housing case manager and peer support specialist to support homeless clients actively pursuing housing. Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments Awarded $10,000 to provide transportation services to homebound Lincoln County seniors. The Homie House Awarded $20,000 to hire extra staff to support rural Lincoln County youth ages 14 to 21 with mentorship and substance use prevention education. Volunteer Caregivers $10,000 to help provide door-to-door transportation services to medical appointments for Linn County seniors, age 55 and up. Samaritan Health Services has provided Social Accountability funding since 1997. Find out more about Samaritan’s Community Benefit programs, and learn about the Partnership for Community Health, including the Regional Community Health Improvement Plan.
