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Grantmaking Guidelines

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This document provides eligible nonprofit organizations in Georgia with guidance in the application process and request for grant support.

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Eligibility
Healthcare Georgia Foundation generally supports organizations located in Georgia and projects that directly benefit Georgia residents. National organizations providing services in Georgia are also considered.

With rare exception, the Foundation funds nonprofit organizations that are exempt under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are defined as "not a private foundation" under Section 509(a). The Foundation also funds government agencies, but does not make grants for annual fund drives, building campaigns, major equipment or biomedical research. Also excluded are activities that exclusively benefit the members of sectarian or religious organizations.

If your organization/project is not a 501(c)(3) entity and plans to use a fiscal sponsor, that sponsor should send a cover letter with the proposal indicating it has approved this project for funding. Pre-approval by the fiscal sponsor is necessary for the Foundation to proceed with the funding request. If the project has no separate legal existence and is a direct project of the entity holding the 501(c) (3), this should be stated in your proposal.

Priority Areas for Funding

The applicant organization should consider the funding request with respect to the Foundation’s mission -- to “advance the health of all Georgians and to expand access to affordable, quality healthcare for underserved individuals and communities.” Within this broad, statewide focus, the specific goals of the Foundation are:

  • To protect and promote the health of individuals, families, and communities;
  • To improve the availability, quality, appropriateness and financing of healthcare services; and
  • To integrate and coordinate efforts to improve health and healthcare services.

In the summer of FY 2002, the Foundation established initial grantmaking priorities reflecting prevalent health problems; the disproportionate burden of morbidity, mortality, and disability among underserved individuals; and statewide public input on perceived opportunities to advance the health of all Georgians. Effective August 2, 2002, the Foundation is accepting Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) in response to the following grantmaking priority areas:

Addressing Health Disparities

Healthcare Georgia Foundation can do much to encourage and strengthen the State’s capacity, leadership, readiness and focus for eliminating high disparity conditions. Consistent with our mission and goals, such grantmaking would focus on creating the necessary conditions to address the commonly agreed causes of health disparities – unequal access to healthcare and treatment; socio-cultural and informational barriers that prevent full access to quality health information and service utilization; and the inadequate supply of appropriate, well-trained health care providers. In the initial phase of this priority area, the Foundation might undertake several types of grants (i.e. including but not limited to research, leadership development, capacity building, direct service, and evaluation) all aimed at one of six strategic goals – strengthening the base of science; supporting strategic communications and awareness building; strengthening multi-stakeholder, cross-sector partnerships; developing and enforcing innovative policies, laws and regulations; linking communities to necessary personal and population health services; and finally assuring that an adequate, competent workforce exists to address future differences in health status and healthcare. Specifically, the Foundation will pursue the following three pronged approach:

  1. promote effort to deepen statewide public awareness about health disparities;
  2. energize local scholars and researchers to solidify our knowledge of how to effectively eliminate disparities; and
  3. support various convenings of state, regional, local and community leadership to build systems capacity and readiness.

Strengthening Nonprofit Health Organizations

Healthcare Georgia Foundation proposes to allocate grant funds for organizational improvement. Organizational Improvement grants (not to exceed $50,000) will be awarded to eligible organizations for the purpose of strengthening and sustaining their capacity to fulfill their mission, and underscores the Foundation’s commitment to assist underserved populations and the organizations that serve them. Organizational Improvement grants will support the core functions, operations, or the administrative infrastructure of health-related nonprofits. For example, grantmaking for organizational improvement may include support for existing staff, staff development and training, developing a business plan, fundraising, strategic planning, upgrading internal data systems, leadership training, etc. Applicant organizations may range in size and scope -- from a larger, well-established nonprofit to a smaller nonprofit that may be lacking core operating support, yet is serving a vital and unfilled need in its area. The types of health-related nonprofits includes -- a community health clinic, substance abuse program, a rural health center, AIDS/HIV clinic, senior centers, reproductive health clinic, or a healthcare advocacy group. As a result, the Foundation will have evidence of strengthening and sustaining the private nonprofit safety net system of organizations working with underserved individuals, families, and communities.

Expanding Access to Primary Healthcare

Primary care is the provision of integrated, accessible health services by clinicians responsible for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs, developing sustained partnerships with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community. A primary care provider provides patients with a medical home and place to receive a range of health services and supports. It is the primary care provider that guides patients through the healthcare delivery system, and facilitates patient participation in decisions about their health and healthcare. They create opportunities for disease prevention and health promotion as well as build bridges between personal healthcare delivery and patients’ families and communities. The six indicators of quality primary care include services and supports that are: accessible, acceptable, accountable, comprehensive, coordinated and continuous. Unequal access, treatment, and outcomes are symptomatic of an inadequate system of primary care. It is known that health disparities exist among populations defined by age, gender, economic, demographic, race, ethnicity and disability status. Through strategic grantmaking, Healthcare Georgia Foundation can improve access to primary healthcare services by Georgia’s uninsured and underinsured population. In an effort to provide a comprehensive, integrated and seamless system of health services, the Foundation’s technical and fiscal resources could support: applied research/practice-based and intervention research, work force development (Pre-Service or In-Service), leadership development and recognition, health policy analysis and advocacy, organizational improvement, and the provision of preventative health services.

Commitment to Diversity

Given Healthcare Georgia Foundation’s commitment to traditionally underserved populations, the Foundation encourages cultural diversity, representativeness and inclusiveness in the boards, staff, and individuals served by the organizations we fund. This principle is shaped by the conviction that all segments of society benefit from pluralism and equal opportunity.

Instructions for Submitting a Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

After reviewing the Foundation's priorities, the next step is the submission of a Letter of Inquiry.

Letters of Inquiry may be submitted at any time. The Foundation will acknowledge receipt of the LOI within 3 months and notify the applicant organization of the results of the Foundation’s review and decision whether to request a complete grant proposal. Letters of Inquiry should be approximately 1-2 pages in length, following the format below.

  1. The Funding Request. In 2-3 sentences or less, please describe your funding request and include the dollar amount you are requesting. Highlight how your proposed program/project fits with the Foundation’s mission and goals, and a particular Foundation Grantmaking Priority Area. Requests for Organizational Improvement grants within the strengthening nonprofit health organizations Grantmaking Priority Area should not exceed $50,000.
  2. About your Organization. In 2-3 sentences briefly describe your organization's history and mission, including the year it was established. Please provide the name of your organization and contact information.
  3. The Problem or Opportunity. In 2-3 sentences, describe the particular health problem or opportunity your program or project seeks to address. What is the current magnitude of this problem or opportunity specific to the state of Georgia or your local community/region, if available?
  4. The Program. In 3-4 sentences, describe the program’s purpose and list 2-3 major objectives for this project/program during the funding period.
  5. The Target Population. Describe who will benefit from this program. Highlight any relevant characteristics (i.e. gender, age groups, ethnic-racial composition, disability socio-economic status and/or income) that further clarify your target group.
  6. Success, Outcomes and Results. As a result of funding, what constitutes success for your organization or program?

Letters of Inquiry should be submitted in writing (on applicant letterhead) and mailed to the attention of:
Director of Grants Management
Healthcare Georgia Foundation, Inc.
50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1100
Atlanta, Georgia, 30303

404-653-0990 (P)
404-577-8386 (F)
info@healthcaregeorgia.org

Instructions for Submitting a Proposal

Following the receipt and favorable review of the applicant organization’s LOI, the Foundation will provide guidelines and a request for the submission of a full written grant proposal including timelines for submission. Foundation staff will meet with representatives of the applicant organization following the submission of the grant proposal. Staff will then undertake an extensive technical and financial analysis of your proposal. Healthcare Georgia Foundation meets quarterly to review grant recommendations. The entire application and proposal review process normally takes about 8-9 months. Please review these printed materials carefully. Please submit questions regarding the application process to the Healthcare Georgia Foundation’s Director of Grants Management.

Declination

The Foundation will notify applicant organizations in writing of the decision to deny a funding request. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Foundation’s Program Director. However, please note the Foundation receives annually far more requests than our annual funding allocation will support. Each year, a significant number of funding requests will be declined, regardless of merit.

Please review these printed materials carefully. Please note the Foundation’s grantmaking priorities and application guidelines will evolve over time. Applicant organizations are encouraged to periodically visit our website for the latest information. If questions remain, contact the Director of Grants Management.