The Western Marquette County Health Foundation is a conversion 501 c (3) foundation that materialized on July 1, 2014 following Bell Hospital’s agreement to its purchase by LifePoint Hospitals. It is a stand-alone corporation and is not affiliated in any way with LifePoint, Bell Hospital, or Superior Health Foundation (formerly Marquette General Foundation). Bell (Hospital) Foundation provided funding to Bell Hospital to invest in new technology, equipment, and to build the new hospital. After the sale, this transitioned into the Western Marquette County Health Foundation and non-profit tax ID was transferred to the new foundation. The mission is to provide funding for health and wellness solutions in Western Marquette County through competitive grant cycles. The grantmaking focus of the foundation relates directly to the service area of the hospital that was purchased. Bell Hospital’s primary service area was the two cities (Ishpeming, Negaunee) and nine townships (Ishpeming, Negaunee, Tilden, Richmond, Ely, Humboldt, Champion, Michigamme, Republic) that make up Western Marquette County. While the geographic focus is to provide funding for nonprofits that support individuals in Western Marquette County, the foundation is not limited to this area. Grants will be reviewed that affect Marquette County and the Upper Peninsula. The first grant cycle deadlines are June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014. During each of these grant cycles the foundation expects to approve $20,000 in grants. In 2015, the grant deadline will be April 1 and October 1 for future years. As the investments continue to grow and the foundation continues its fundraising, the board expects that the amount provided to the community will grow, as well, with the possibility of it reaching annual granting totaling $250,000 or more.