Around 1941, the newly formed Salinas Community Hospital Association began planning and fundraising for a hospital. Bruce Church, a successful local businessman, donated the land for the hospital and the Salinas Community Hospital Association raised nearly $300,000. The fundraising was stopped with World War II, but began again in 1947. Also in 1947, the California State Legislature passed the Healthcare District Act, which authorizes communities to establish Special Districts to build hospitals and other healthcare facilities to meet local needs. A local, publicly elected Board of Directors governs these Special Districts. Bruce Church was elected President of the Board of Directors for the SVMH.