The Grants Program

Through the Community Health Improvement Grants program, CommonSpirit Health hospitals annually fund programs and services delivered by collaborating 501(c)3 non-profit organizations, to address one or more significant needs in the hospitals’ community health needs assessments and implementation strategies. Community Health Improvement Grants help to improve community health and enhance local service systems via restricted charitable contributions for defined projects. 

Participating Hospitals 

Participating hospitals include those of Catholic Health Initiatives, Dignity Health and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. These hospitals are all part of CommonSpirit Health, which was created in 2019 when Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health came together to create a national health system. Some hospitals located close to one another may collaborate on a single grant process, and not each accept separate proposals. A complete list of participating hospitals will be posted on the grant program website before the application period opens. 

Hospitals in CommonSpirit’s Mountain Region do not participate in the Community Health Improvement Grants, but have a separate Health Equity & Advancement Fund grant program.

Grant Award Ranges

Grant awards have minimum and maximum amounts that vary by hospital, within the categories of small grants (up to $19,500) and standard grants (from $20,000 to as much as $150,000). 

Each hospital’s specific grant funding range will be listed in a document on the grant program website and the grant application portal, which will be accessible beginning June 17, 2024. Applications for standard grants require more detailed project information and collaborating partners.

Applicant Eligibility Criteria 

1. Applicants must be IRS 501(c)3 non-profit organizations, or have a fiscal agent that is a 501(c)3 organization and capable of administering grant project funds. Applicants must provide an IRS Determination Letter documenting 501(c)3 status and be in good standing.
2. Applicants and partners must have a philosophy and services not inconsistent with the mission and vision of CommonSpirit Health. 

Proposal Eligibility Criteria 

1. Proposals are for projects that address one or more significant health needs in the hospital’s most recent community health needs assessment (CHNA) or implementation strategy, with sustained project activity over a period of between 9 and 12 months. Prospective applicants should review the CHNA report for the hospital to which they intend to apply. Links to these reports will be posted on the grant website before the application period opens.
2. The program is intended both to support the delivery of services and to strengthen collaborative service systems. Consistent with this aim, proposals for grant projects of $20,000 or more must include collaborating partner organizations other than the granting hospital with distinct, complementary and substantive project roles. Collaborating partner organizations (“partners”) can be non-profit, public or private organizations.

   Grant Type	Proposal Amount	Proposal includes Applicant and...
   Small grant	Up to $19,500	Collaborating partners are encouraged
   Standard grant	$20,000-$150,000	Two or more collaborating partner organizations

   Partners may receive a portion of the grant that is awarded to the applicant, for costs of their project activities. This is communicated in the proposal narrative and budget. Distribution of any awarded funds to partners is the responsibility of the applicant (recipient).
3. People and communities to be served are within the hospital’s service area and include identified underserved or vulnerable populations, to help address health inequities. 
4. People to be served can include members of the community at-large, patients of CommonSpirit Health entities or both. (If any patient Protected Health Information is to be shared in the course of proposed activities, appropriate patient consent procedures and/or Business Associate Agreements may be required of grant recipients to ensure compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).)
5. Proposals convey how their proposed projects reflect one or more of the following principles: focus on disproportionate unmet health-related needs (advancing health equity); emphasize prevention, including activities that address social determinants of health; contribute to a seamless continuum of care; build community capacity; and demonstrate collaboration.
6. Proposals are for one year periods only. Applicants can apply in subsequent years for similar scopes of work or to conduct different projects, but projects will not be funded for more than four consecutive years.
7. Proposal budgets can include equipment purchases of up to $5,000 and computer equipment up to $2,500, with the total not to exceed 50% of funds requested.
8. Indirect costs of no greater than 10 percent of the total request are allowable. Indirect costs include items such as rent, utilities, telecommunications, insurance, clerical and managerial salaries and benefits.
9. Ineligible proposals include those for unrestricted general operating support, event sponsorships and activities less than 9 months in duration.
10. The grant program does not fund capital projects (e.g., buildings, renovations), lobbying or political campaigns.

Applying 

Applicant organizations complete proposals and submit all relevant attachments online, via CommonSpirit Health’s grant portal, which will be accessible via the grant program website from June 17 - August 16, 2024. The application portal will contain documents listing all application questions and required documents, so that applicants can prepare in advance.

Key Dates

Questions and Technical Assistance 

• Questions about local hospitals’ grant priorities can be addressed to the appropriate Local Grant Leaders. These contacts will be posted on the grant website by June 17.
• General questions about the Community Health Improvement Grants program can be directed to communitygrants@commonspirit.org.