TMC Health Foundation Awarded $100,000 Grant

(TUCSON, Ariz. – Oct. 1, 2026) – TMC Health Foundation, which raises funds to help TMC Health provide exceptional, compassionate health care, invest in underserved areas, and expand access and education across Southern Arizona, has been awarded a 2026 Mercy C.A.R.E.S. Community Reinvestment Grant from Mercy Care in the amount of $100,000 to support Tucson Collaborative Community Care (TC-3). The program helps vulnerable community members access the resources and support they need to live safely and independently while reducing unnecessary 911 calls and emergency room visits.

The funding will help TC-3 serve 450 people this year, addressing basic needs and health-related challenges that often lead people to rely on emergency services as a last resort. Through the program, vulnerable community members throughout Pima County will receive assistance with food, transportation, utilities, housing needs, home safety improvements, durable medical equipment and connections to community resources that improve health, safety and quality of life.

“Too many people in our community must turn to emergency services because they have nowhere else to go for help. TC-3 meets people where they are, connecting them with the resources and support they need and addressing the everyday challenges that can become health crises when left unmet. We are grateful to Mercy Care for this investment, which will ultimately improve quality of life for some of our community’s most vulnerable residents while helping ensure emergency services remain available for true emergencies,” said Deb Dale, vice president and chief development officer of TMC Health Foundation.

Mercy C.A.R.E.S., which stands for Community Action Resources Education and Service, is Mercy Care’s community giving initiative. Through Mercy C.A.R.E.S., Mercy Care partners with organizations that address health disparities and align with its community health focus areas. Since 2016, Mercy C.A.R.E.S. has invested nearly $45 million in community reinvestment projects that build basic needs, increase health access, manage chronic conditions, and support mental health and well-being. This year, 46 partners, from local nonprofits to statewide coalitions, amplify Mercy Care’s reach and deepen the organization’s impact across Arizona.

“TC-3 is helping to lessen the strain on our emergency response systems through preventative care and strong community partnerships. What makes this program especially impactful is its ability to bring together healthcare providers, first responders, and community partners to address the needs of each individual. By connecting people with practical supports and community resources, TC-3 is helping at-risk residents remain safe, healthy, and independent while creating a more coordinated system of care across Pima County,” said Trisha Stuart, director of community relations at Mercy Care.

About TMC Health Foundation

The TMC Health Foundation serves as the philanthropic fundraising arm for TMC Health, a locally governed healthcare system in Southern Arizona. Based in Tucson, Arizona, the foundation solicits and formalizes private and public donations to expand healthcare access, fund medical advancements, and improve the overall quality of life for residents across the region.

About Mercy Care

Mercy Care is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all Arizonans. Since 1985, Mercy Care has provided access to quality physical and behavioral health care services for Medicaid-eligible families, children, seniors, and individuals with developmental and cognitive disabilities through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Mercy Care is a not-for-profit Medicaid managed care health plan sponsored by Dignity Health and Ascension Health. Learn more at www.MercyCareAZ.org.