MARIN COMMUNITY CLINICS: 2018 GIVING MARIN GRANTEE

The Giving Marin Community Partnership, a major initiative of the business community and Marin Independent Journal, offers local nonprofit organizations assistance with marketing through sponsored ads in the newspaper and online along with exposure via social media platforms. At the end of 2018, Giving Marin gave back a percentage of revenues generated through the program to Marin County nonprofit organizations. More than 130 organizations applied for the grants. Through a rigorous process, six organizations were chosen to receive $10,000 each. We’re honored to share how each organization used the grant money.

Giving Marin’s $10,000 grant was added to Marin Community Clinics’ Medical Assistance Fund which is funded by contributions. Marin Community Clinics provides comprehensive primary health care to more than 37,000 children, teens, women and men who live in Marin, most of whom have low-incomes and struggle to make ends meet. Clinics are located in Larkspur, Novato and San Rafael and provide medical, dental and behavioral health services.

The Medical Assistance Fund helps people without insurance who are facing medical challenges beyond primary care that require sophisticated diagnostics, such as MRIs and CT scans, and specialty care that Marin Community Clinics cannot provide. Fortunately, the clinics are sometimes able to arrange for services that are steeply discounted. However, some payment is required. To the extent that funds are available, Marin Community Clinics pays the remaining costs of diagnostic services after patients pay what they can.

This year with diagnostic services that were paid for thanks to the Medical Assistance Fund, two patients were diagnosed with cancers for which they are now receiving treatment. Often cases are less dramatic, such as an MRI determining the need for an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) or meniscus repair so that the person can continue working and fully participating in their family lives. In all cases, these tests are crucial to obtain accurate diagnoses in order for people to receive the best possible health care and have an improved quality of life. For information about services or to make a donation, visit marinclinics.org.