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TMAF Funding Priorities

  • TMAF’s funding priorities are rooted in its mission and purpose and reflect the strategic operating principles established when TMAF was created. 

    TMAF Mission 
    To fund initiatives with the power to help physicians create a healthier future for all Texans. 

    Purpose 
    To acquire philanthropic support for the major initiatives in public health programming and education sponsored by the Texas Medical Association for the benefit of Texans.  

    Funding Objectives 
    Initiatives supported by TMAF reflect TMA’s current population health, science, medical education and quality of care priorities. In addition, they reflect many of TMAF’s operating principles: 

    • Stimulate partnerships with others who share the vision and purposes of the Texas Medical Association in matters of public health;
    • Support primarily short-term, high-impact, high-visibility programs;
    • Seek development of public health programs by providing funds for planning;
    • Multiply funding effectiveness by joining with other interested organizations and agencies with common program objectives; and
    • Make maximal use of volunteer services.

  • Encouraging Exercise

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    Walk With a Doc Texas is a monthly walking program that encourages physicans to walk with their patients and local community. The program's mission is to encourage healthy physical activity in people of all ages, and reverse the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle in order to improve the health and well-being of the country.

    Walk With a Doc Texas  

  • Supporting Science Education

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    TMA’s Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching identifies outstanding science teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels and recognizes them with a cash award as well as a grant for their school to further enhance its science curriculum.

    Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards  

  • Preventing Disease

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    Vaccines Defend What Matters (formerly Be Wise – Immunize) is TMA’s integrated, multimedia public health education and advocacy effort to overcome vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination rates in Texas.

    Vaccines Defend What Matters  

  • Sharing Educational Displays

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    The History of Medicine Committee is proud to introduce banners for display at institutions across the state. Banners are educational, colorful and museum-quality. Nine different banners are available.

    History of Medicine Traveling Exhibits 

  • Promoting Safety

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    TMA's Hard Hats for Little Heads program encourages exercise and fitness and helps prevent life-altering or fatal brain injuries in Texas children by providing free bike helmets at local events. TMA and TMAA members educate parents and their children about the importance of wearing a properly fitted helmet when bicycling, inline skating, skateboarding or riding a scooter.

    Hard Hats for Little Heads  

  • Community Grants

    Community Grants

    Each year TMAF accepts applications from county medical societies, alliance and medical student chapters for community health improvement programs. Society and alliance chapters may apply for up to $7,500 in matching funds from the TMAF Medical Community Grant Program and medical student chapters may apply for up to $3,000 in matching funds from the TMAF Medical Student Community Leadership Grants Program. Learn more about upcoming deadlines.

  • Family of Funds

    The Family of Funds serves as the umbrella for TMAF funds and endowments that support the charitable health improvement and education goals of TMA and TMAA members and the related efforts of TMA county medical societies and TMA alliance and medical student chapters.

    Learn More

  • John P. McGovern Champion of Health Award

    Champion

    TMAF honors an outstanding local or statewide program with the John P. McGovern Champion of Health Award, which focuses on exceptional initiatives in Texas that address urgent threats to the public’s health and those that further TMAF’s mission “to help physicians create a healthier future for all Texans.” Nominations now open with a Feb. 11 deadline.