Under the 1981 Declaration of Trust, funds were designated for a “Scott Health Resources Center,” which for many ensuing years connected low-income residents to direct services such as medication, transportation to cancer and prenatal appointments, eyeglasses, and oral health care. Following the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (circa 2014), service uptake at the Scott Health Resources Center declined rapidly as clients became eligible for other programs for the first time. In response, the John M. Scott Health Care Commission recommended a transition to a grants-only funding model. The Trustee (Bloomington City Council) approved the new grants-only model in mid-2018.

Advisory Commission:

The original Declaration of Trust called for the creation of a Commission to advise the Trustee in carrying out the purpose and intent of the Trust. While the composition of the Commission has evolved over time, there’s been one constant: representation from Second Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, according to Judge Scott’s original Will. Historically, most, if not all, Commissioners were licensed health care practitioners (internal medicine, psychiatry, dentistry, nurse practitioner, etc.), including the representative from Second Presbyterian. Based on their clinical expertise and knowledge of needs in the community, those Commissioners made spending recommendations to the Trustee, and prior to 2018, Trust funds were distributed without a competitive and public application process. Until 2018, the total amount spent on services in any given fiscal year was relatively small (~$100,000 - $180,000) and limited to a handful of key local organizations. 

With the creation of the new grants program, the Commission now oversees a much larger grant portfolio and the related application and decision-making processes. Commissioners are appointed by the Trustee for three-year volunteer terms. The Commission generally meets monthly, and each Commissioner is also assigned to either the Finance or Grants Committee, which meets as needed.

Commission Members:

View the Commission By-Laws

View the Finance Committee Policies and Procedures

View the Grants Committee Policies and Procedures