Better Health Together
Better Health Together (BHT) is a public charity based in Spokane, Washington, formed in 2013. It works across eastern Washington to improve regional health through community partnerships and a Community Care Hub connecting people with care and social services.
Key facts about Better Health Together
In short: Better Health Together gave $5.1M across 60 grants in 2024 (avg $86K), mostly in Washington. 42% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 90-0997482
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,130,856
- Grants made (2024)
- 60
- Average grant
- $85,514
- Median grant
- $44,545
- New grantees (estimate)
- 42% first-time grantees (25 of 60, 2024)
- Total assets
- $29,281,875
- Primary geography
- Washington (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$29.3M
+12.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.1M
-50.1% YoY
Grant Count
60
-22.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$86K
-36.0% YoY
Is Better Health Together open to new grantees?
42%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 25 of 60 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $49K; repeat grants $112K. How we count
Medians: $28K first-time, $65K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
BHT’s mission is “to radically improve the health of the region.” Its vision is an integrated and anti-racist health system accountable for better health for all in eastern Washington. Its stated work includes connecting physical, behavioral, and oral health care with social needs such as food, housing, and transportation, and supporting community-based care coordination.
BHT’s 2024 grants included support for work described as Washington Department of Health COVID Care Connect and Medicaid transformation efforts. The organization’s website also describes community sponsorship for events and community engagement that promote wellness and elevate community voices, and grant-writing support for community-based organizations pursuing funding.
The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Rural Resources Community Action says its mission is to help people and communities develop skills, resources, and services to improve general welfare. Spectrum describes its mission as creating an LGBTQIA2S+ community gathering space centered on social connection, support, arts, culture, resources, and leadership development. An individual recipient says it provides peer emotional support and development services to people impacted by addiction, mental health conditions, or HIV/AIDS. Latinos en Spokane describes its work as building capacity among Latino community members and organizations through inclusive engagement.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, BHT reported 60 grants totaling $5,130,856. Awards ranged from $6,750 to $426,066, with a median of $44,545. The largest awards included $426,066 to Rural Resources Community Action and $415,913 to Spectrum, both for purposes including COVID Care Connect and Medicaid transformation efforts; $321,201 to an individual recipient for Washington DOH COVID Care Connect and Medicaid transformation efforts; and $316,226 to HBPA Foundation of the Inland Northwest for those efforts. Other large 2024 grants included $267,531 to Northeast Community Center Association, $264,629 to Latinos en Spokane, and $205,000 to Pacific Islander Community Association, with stated purposes including Medicaid transformation efforts.
BHT’s grant-writing stipend opportunity offers $4,500 to community-based organizations pursuing a specific regional, state, or federal funding opportunity in 2026. Eligible costs include grant-writer fees for preparing and submitting applications. The opportunity excludes general operating or administrative costs not tied to grant writing, internal staff time, grant writers who are employees or board members of the applicant, costs beyond the approved stipend, organizations that do not serve BHT’s region, and prospecting for funding opportunities. BHT says it prioritizes organizations aligned with its mission that are under-resourced, address documented health, wellness, or social-service needs in the region, and provide community-based education, wellness, or social-care services.
BHT’s 2026 Community Based Care Coordination Partner application says it intends to fund 10–20 community-based organizations employing 12–30 community-based workers from February 2026 through June 2027. The application describes proposals for one to five full-time-equivalent community-based workers and an award of $234,000 per worker; contracts are contingent on funding availability. The website also lists community sponsorship for qualifying events and engagement activities, and Behavioral Health Forum funding to offset member organizations’ lost billable hours during training.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Better Health Together
BHT Community Sponsorship Grant
Better Health Together
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
BHT Grant Writing Stipends for Community-Based Organizations
Better Health Together
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
City of Spokane COVID-19 Emergency Housing and Utility Assistance (Fiscal Sponsorship)
Better Health Together
Amount
$2,000,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with Better Health Together?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
BHT’s website identifies its region as Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Lincoln, and Adams counties, along with the reservations of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, the Spokane Tribe of Indians, and the Colville Confederated Tribes. Its 2024 grant dollars went entirely to recipients in Washington state.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 60 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5.1M (2024) to $11.3M (2021). In 2024 it made 60 grants totaling $5.1M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Rural Resources Community Action ($426K). Together the top 10 received $2.8M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($18,501), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
293 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 103 grants of 293 (35%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Resources Community Action Colville, WA | DOH Covid Care Connect, Medicaid Transformation Efforts | $426,066 |
| Spectrum DBA Spectrum Center Spokane, WA | DOH Covid Care Connect, Medicaid Transformation Efforts | $415,913 |
| Peer Washington Seattle, WA | Wa DOH Covid Care Connect, Medicaid Transformation Efforts | $321,201 |
| HBPA Foundation of the Inland Northwest Spokane, WA | Wa DOH Covid Care Connect, Medicaid Transformation Efforts | $316,226 |
| Northeast Community Center Association Spokane, WA | Wa DOH Covid Care Connect, Medicaid Transformation Efforts | $267,531 |
| Latinos En Spokane Spokane, WA | DOH Covid Care Connect, Medicaid Transformation Efforts | $264,629 |
| Pacific Islander Community Assoc Federal Way, WA | Medicaid Transformation Efforts | $205,000 |
| NEWESD101 Spokane, WA | Medicaid Transformation Efforts | $200,000 |
| Frontier Behavioral Health Spokane, WA | DOH Covid Care Connect, Medicaid Transformation Efforts | $192,769 |
| Compassionate Addiction Treatment Spokane, WA | Medicaid Transformation Efforts | $190,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $29,281,875 | $15,798,805 | $12,721,185 | $5,130,856 |
| 2023 | $26,086,359 | $13,032,832 | $16,423,568 | $10,291,938 |
| 2022 | $29,644,453 | $13,721,077 | $15,388,519 | $7,789,022 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $29,281,875 | $26,086,359 | $29,644,453 |
| Revenue | $15,798,805 | $13,032,832 | $13,721,077 |
| Expenses | $12,721,185 | $16,423,568 | $15,388,519 |
| Net Investment Income | $454,234 | $255,295 | $65,452 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jennyfer Mesa as board chair, Rachel Chelsea Ferguson as vice board chair, Ash Riant as secretary, and Mark Wakai as treasurer. It also lists Lacey Bacon, Luke Baumgarten, Shawn Brigman, Stephanie Courtney, David Crump, and Freda Gandy as board members.
Better Health Together is led by Alison M. Poulsen, President since 2024 (on filings since 2021); 25 of 37 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Alison M. Poulsen
President
Executive Director → President, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$165K (2021) → $226K (2024)
Jennyfer Mesa
Board Chair
Director → Board Vice Chair, 2023
Board Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
$3K (2022) → $10K (2024)
Kim Heath
Director of Special Finance Projects
Chief Financial Officer → CFO, 2023
CFO → Director of Special Finance Projects, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$126K (2021) → $189K (2024)
Lareesa McMullin
Director of Social Care Network
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$113K (2024)
Sara Bolig Dorn
Director of Operations
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$118K (2024)
Teresa Vlaar
Director of Communications
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$112K (2024)
Terry Titmus
Director of Innovations
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$120K (2024)
Kurtis Robinson
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1.3 hrs/week
$3K (2021) → $4K (2024)
Ash Riant
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
$5K (2022) → $5K (2024)
Dave Iverson
Board Member
Director → Board Treasurer, 2023
Board Treasurer → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
$200 (2024)
Hadda Estrada
Executive Vice President of Strategy & Community Voice
Chief Equity & Strategy Officer → Executive Vice President of Strategy & Community Voice, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$133K (2022) → $192K (2024)
Kiara Kj January
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
$4K (2022) → $4K (2024)
Luke Baumgarten
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
$3K (2022) → $4K (2024)
Rachel Chelsea Ferguson
Vice Board Chair
Director → Vice Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
$4K (2022) → $6K (2024)
Tamika Lamere
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
$9K (2023) → $4K (2024)
Beverly Sarles
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1.3 hrs/week
$2K (2023) → $4K (2024)
Bryan Raines
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1.3 hrs/week
$2K (2023) → $4K (2024)
Juliana Repp
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1.3 hrs/week
$10K (2024)
Kiana McKenna
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1.3 hrs/week
$2K (2023) → $4K (2024)
Lacey Bacon
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1.3 hrs/week
$2K (2023) → $12K (2024)
Ryann Louie
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1.3 hrs/week
$2K (2023) → $4K (2024)
Shawn Brigman
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1.3 hrs/week
$2K (2023) → $3K (2024)
Stephanie Courtney
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1.3 hrs/week
$8K (2023) → $0 (2024)
Charisse Pope Evp Of
Community Initiatives & Innovations
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$191K (2024)
Felisa Bravo
Controller
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$110K (2024)
Hanncel Sanchez
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1.3 hrs/week
$2K (2024)
David Crump
Board Member
Treasurer → Director, 2023
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lynn Kimball
Board Member
Director → Board Secretary, 2023
Board Secretary → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pam Parr
Board Member
Chair → Past Board Chair, 2023
Past Board Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ricki Peone
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Zeke Smith
Board Member
Director & Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2023
Board Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fawn Schott
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Freda Gandy
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Honekamp
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Wakai
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelli Houston
Member at Large
Director → Member at Large, 2024
On filings since 2023
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bob Lutz
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Blake Redding (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Leanne Berge (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Kaitlyn Chapman (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Kevin Stark (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Jac Davies (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Jeff Thomas (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Luis Manriquez (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Sharon Fairchild (2021–2022) — Past Chair
- Former: Donna Mouton (2022) — Director
- Former: Aaron Wilson (2021) — Director
- Former: Ali Desautel (2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Alison Ball (2021) — Director
- Former: John McCarthy (2021) — Director
- Former: Kai Nevala (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $226K, to Alison Poulsen (President). 25 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 157 S Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: (509) 321-7500
Website: https://betterhealthtogether.org
Frequently asked questions about Better Health Together
How much does Better Health Together give each year?
Better Health Together gave $5.1M across 60 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $10.3M across 77 grants.
What is Better Health Together's typical grant size?
Better Health Together's median grant in 2024 was $44,545, and its average grant was $85,514, across 60 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Better Health Together that year got $49K on average.
Where does Better Health Together give grants?
Better Health Together gives mostly in Washington: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Spokane, WA (28 grants), Newport, WA (3 grants), Colville, WA (2 grants) and Seattle, WA (2 grants).
Does Better Health Together give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 60 grants with a stated purpose on Better Health Together's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Medicaid Transformation Efforts" (42 grants), "Wa DOH Covid Care Connect, Medicaid Transformation Efforts" (8 grants) and "DOH Covid Care Connect, Medicaid Transformation Efforts" (4 grants).
Who are Better Health Together's largest grantees?
Better Health Together's largest 2024 grantees include Rural Resources Community Action ($426,066), Spectrum DBA Spectrum Center ($415,913) and Peer Washington ($321,201), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($18,501), which are not listed by name. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Better Health Together?
Better Health Together reported $29.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $15.8M.
What does Better Health Together fund?
BHT’s mission is “to radically improve the health of the region.” Its vision is an integrated and anti-racist health system accountable for better health for all in eastern Washington. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Better Health Together?
Better Health Together has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check betterhealthtogether.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Better Health Together's EIN?
Better Health Together's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 90-0997482. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Better Health Together by hand.
Explore Open Grants
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