Trinity Health Grand Rapids and Corewell Health Convene Community Grant Partners to Strengthen Collaboration and Community Impact

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (May 11, 2026) – Trinity Health Grand Rapids and Corewell Health™ recently co-hosted a collaborative convening for hospital-based grant recipients, bringing together more than 20 community leaders representing 16 local organizations for a dialogue-driven event focused on strengthening partnerships, enhancing transparency, and aligning community impact efforts. 

Key objectives of the event included:

• Reviewing hospital-based grant processes and funding pathways

• Exploring how Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) priorities determine funding priorities and how community investments can positively influence the next CHNA

• Identifying non-monetary opportunities for collaboration beyond grant funding

• Providing dedicated time for organizations to build relationships and explore potential collaborations

• Inviting participation in the 2026 CHNA

Participants engaged in topic-specific breakout sessions that promoted open dialogue around shared challenges, identification of systemic barriers, and exploration of potential solutions, while also highlighting opportunities for deeper collaboration across organizations. These sessions created a space for candid conversation, mutual learning, and collective problem-solving.

In addition, attendees took part in a large-group interactive mapping activity designed to increase awareness of each organization’s services, reach, and expertise. This interactive exercise helped surface potential collaboration opportunities, referral pathways, and cross-sector connections that can strengthen the region’s health and social service ecosystem.

"By creating intentional space for dialogue and relationship-building, we’re reinforcing our shared commitment to community-driven solutions and coordinated action," said Jennifer Chaffer, LMSW, ACM-SW, Director, Community Health & Well-Being, Trinity Health Grand Rapids. "These conversations are essential to ensuring our collective efforts are aligned with community priorities and lead to measurable impact."

“When health systems and community partners plan and problem-solve together, we move from isolated efforts to shared impact,” said Kaley Petersen, MS/OTR, Senior Director, Healthier Communities, Corewell Health. “I deeply appreciate our partners’ leadership and commitment, and I’m grateful for the trusted, transparent, relationship-based collaboration that helps us address both health and social needs in ways that are sustainable and community-driven.”

Trinity Health Grand Rapids and Corewell Health look forward to continued collaboration.  

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About Trinity Health Michigan
Trinity Health Michigan is a leading health care provider and one of the state’s largest employers. With more than 25,000 full-time employees serving 29 counties, Trinity Health Michigan is composed of nine hospitals located in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Howell, Livonia, Muskegon, Oakland, and Shelby, and two medical groups. The health system has 1,459 employed physicians and a medical staff of more than 5,766 providers. With operating revenues of $5.16 billion, Trinity Health Michigan returns $357 million back to their local communities each year. Together with numerous ambulatory care locations, home health, and hospice agencies and 17 senior living communities owned and/or operated by Trinity Health, Trinity Health Michigan provides the full continuum of care for Michigan residents. For more information, visit trinityhealthmichigan.org.

About Corewell Health™
People are at the heart of everything we do, and the inspiration for our legacy of outstanding outcomes, innovation, strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides health care and coverage with an exceptional team of 60,000+ dedicated people — including more than 11,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 16,000 nurses providing care and services in 21 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities — and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving more than 1.3 million members. Through experience and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness. For more information, visit corewellhealth.org.