AHF Prioritizes Rural Equity in Recent Capital Transfer to Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation

An interview with Sarah Lyman by Proximate

Sarah Lyman, Executive Director of Alliance Healthcare Foundation (AHF), was recently interviewed by Proximate, in its Grassroots Grantmaking national newsletter, regarding AHF’s recent transfer of $7.5 million — 10% of its endowment — to the Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation. (February 2025 announcement)

Below are a few excerpts from the recent interview. For the full interview, please click here.

In philanthropy, endowments are often taken for granted — a built-in feature of large, traditional foundations. But for many smaller, community-led funds, especially those serving rural or under-resourced regions, endowments are rare. The fundraising never really stops, and long-term security can feel out of reach. That’s why the decision by Alliance Healthcare Foundation to transfer $7.5 million — 10% of its endowment — to the Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation stands out. It’s a quiet but significant shift: moving resources into the hands of local leaders, not just for a grant cycle, but hopefully for generations.

Sarah Lyman Executive Director, AHF

Leading Through Trust

“At the heart of this decision was a simple truth: Who better to allocate resources than those living the reality every day? This isn’t charity—it’s about giving communities the power to lead their own future. And we hope it inspires other funders to rethink how philanthropy can truly serve communities that have been overlooked for too long.” – Sarah Lyman, Executive Director, Alliance Healthcare Foundation

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