The idea for the HealthNet Foundation was developed in 2018 by HealthNet President/CEO Rick Diaz to celebrate HealthNet’s 50th anniversary and to give back to the community.

The Foundation committee met for the first time on July 27, 2018 and has met regularly since.

On March 6, 2019 the Foundation secured its tax-exempt status from the IRS. Its 501(c)3 designation was granted retroactive to July 6, 2018.

July 2019 – Misty Lewis was selected as the Executive Director of the Foundation.

October 2019 – The Foundation launched their first major gifts campaign to provide scholarships to first generation students pursuing post-secondary education.

June 2020 – The Foundation received its first endowment from the Bloomington Community Foundation to provide financial assistance to patients living in Bloomington Indiana that cannot afford their medical expenses. The fund was named Volunteers In Medicine Patient Assistance Fund (VIM).

May 2020 – The Foundation partnered with HealthNet to break ground on their first community garden in the Martindale Brightwood community. The garden to-date provides fresh produce to those in a food desert.

December 2020 – The Foundation launched “We Will Change The World” video highlighting HealthNet Heroes.

March 2021 – The Foundation helped to raise funding for HealthNet’s first Mobile Health Initiative. The Mobile Unit now provides access to primary care and mental health services throughout Morgan and Monroe counties.

September 2021 – The Foundation received funding from Michael Melby a pharmacist in Bloomington Indiana to help provide patients with access to needed medications that they may not otherwise be able to afford.

January 2023 – The Foundation received funding from BD Building Healthy Communities Grant to address the needs of diabetic patients. In partnership with HealthNet and Faith, Hope, and Love (a missional food pantry) the Foundation was able to establish a pilot Diabetic Food Program. The program has provided Diabetic patients who identified as food insecure with meal deliveries each week over the course of 6-months. The program objective was to help address food insecurity while helping patients to get their A1C under control.

April 2023 – The foundation worked closely with Johnson Grossnickle & Associates (JGA) to develop their first three-year development plan.

September 2023 – The Foundation will launch its first fundraising gala.