R.K. Mellon Foundation invests $3.39 million in companies' 'social impact' pitches

For working families, time is a scarce resource. Hours that might otherwise be devoted to leading a healthier lifestyle, or making that annual doctor’s appointment, get shunted aside when life gets in the way.

But Allister Chang and Courtney Bragg noticed that many of those working families, particularly in low-income neighborhoods, did have a couple spare hours a week — when they went to the laundromat.

“There’s so much opportunity to there to help improve health and well-being,” said Chang, who along with Bragg co-founded Fabric Health in Philadelphia.

Partnering with the owner of five Laundry Café locations in north and west Philadelphia, Fabric Health can connect residents with health-insurance navigators, help facilitate health screenings and enroll clients in health insurance through Pennsylvania’s official health insurance marketplace, Pennie.

That’s the exact type of community engagement the R.K. Mellon Foundation was seeking in its social-impact investment pitch competition.

Fabric Health was one of three major recipients, to the tune of $500,000 that will allow them to expand into Southwestern Pennsylvania.

“We wanted to meet people where they are, in the time they have,” Chang said. “We’re building a relationship with them so they can take that two hours of laundry and re-purpose that time to do these important, but sometimes not as urgent, tasks.”

Under its new Social-Impact Investment program, the foundation invests in for-profit companies seeking to accomplish a public good that aligns with the foundation’s strategic plan.

When the foundation earns a return, that money is utilized for additional investments.

Foundation officials said they anticipate investing at least $50 million in for-profit companies with a public mission over the 10 years of the current strategic plan.

More than 100 companies submitted pitches. That group was narrowed to 27 and ultimately three winners were chosen to split $1 million.

Gus Gear, a Pittsburgh manufacturer that makes medical devices and supplies with an emphasis on securement and protection for equipment such as central catheters and feeding tubes; and Module, a home-building start-up with plans to open an advanced manufacturing facility in the region to produce sustainable housing, were chosen along with Fabric Health.

But because so many pitches had merit, the foundation also made investments between $100,000-$200,000 in 13 additional companies.

Pittsburgh-based Safe Space Technologies is among those receiving a $200,000 investment. It will be used to help launch a new air-disinfection technology that CEO Chris Proud said is able to sterilize up to 99.999% of viruses and bacteria.

“With the grant, we’re able to increase our manufacturing capabilities,” Proud said. “And we’re able to also donate or discount our products for businesses or organizations that are located in, or serving, low-income communities.”

Safe Space’s manufacturing facility is located in Pittsburgh’s West End, and Proud said they are identifying businesses in the area for outreach.

“It’s a way to democratize this type of technology that may not necessarily be available to everyone,” he said.

The R.K. Mellon Foundation is investing $3.39 million among the 16 companies.

Bragg said that Fabric Health officials view Pittsburgh as a center for innovation.

“This investment by the foundation will allow us to build on the great work already happening there, and bring Fabric Health to Southwestern Pennsylvania, adapting the model for what local clients need and want.”

For more on the foundation’s funding programs, see RKMF.org.