Applications are now open for the Episcopal Health Foundation Grant Program.

In 2021, Episcopal Health Foundation will continue work aligned with their five-year strategic plan, which you are encouraged to read before applying for a grant.

EHF’s Grant Guidance for 2021 expresses their core beliefs and explains the commitment of their philanthropic giving to outcomes-focused approaches to improve health, not just healthcare in Texas.

Goals

• Goal 1: Strengthen systems of health by catalyzing health systems to be accessible, equitable and deliver health, not just healthcare
• Goal 2: Activate communities by strengthening organizations and congregations to build health-promoting communities.
• Goal 3: Build the foundation for a healthy life by investing in early childhood brain development

Outcomes

• Resource allocation and system reform in the health sector reflect the goal of improving health, not just healthcare
• Low-income and vulnerable populations access comprehensive care in their communities
• Community and congregation members actively shape healthy communities and influence health systems to improve health equity
• Health systems and families implement best practices for early childhood brain development during pregnancy and the first 1,000 days of life

Priorities

EHF will prioritize funding to support:

• Practices and tools designed to help healthcare providers implement effective physical, social, and emotional developmental screening, referral to services, and follow-up as indicated
• Identifying and addressing instances of parental depression or other behavioral health issues
• Educating pregnant women and parents about early childhood brain development and connecting parents to programs and resources that build skills for and support “serve and return” practice within the parent/child relationship from infancy

Strategies

• Dollars & Sense: Support change in healthcare financing to incent investment in improving community health
• Working Upstream: Support community-based clinics in addressing the social determinants of health
• Comprehensive Clinics: Support community based clinics to provide comprehensive services, continuity of care, inclusivity, and efficiency in delivery of care
• Rural Health: Expand and strengthen community-based clinics in rural areas
• Health Coverage and Benefits: Improve health coverage for low income and vulnerable populations
• Community Voice: Support organizations to raise the voices of community members to influence community health
• Support congregations to address community health
• Building Brain Development-Providers: Providers support early childhood brain development
• Building Brain Development-Community Organizations: Community-based organizations provide training to families for early childhood brain development beginning at or before birth

Types of Grants Awarded

EHF provides eligible applicants with the following types of competitive investments:

• Restricted grants support specific activities carried out over a defined period and/or are planned in-order-to achieve a specific result or goal
• Unrestricted grants support an organization’s day-to-day expenses in furtherance of its mission rather than specific projects or programs; may also include support to build organizational infrastructure

EHF also provides funding solicited by invitation only that include:

• Small grants to provide up to $10,000 in support of the immediate short-term needs of an organization to address a specific organizational development or emergency issue
• Request for Proposals when issued by the EHF to support specific initiatives of interest to the Foundation.

What EHF Funds?

EHF makes grants to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations whose work relates directly to EHF’s vision, goals and strategies. To be eligible, an organization must have received an Internal Revenue Service Determination Letter indicating that it is an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) or 170(c) and is not a private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Code.

All grants funded by EHF must be implemented within the 57-county service area of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.

Eligibility Criteria

• EHF makes grants to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations whose work relates directly to EHF’s vision, goals and strategies. To be eligible, an organization must have received an Internal Revenue Service Determination Letter indicating that it is an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) or 170(c) and is not a private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Code.
• EHF provides grants to organizations that serve vulnerable populations within the 57-county service area of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.
• While EHF exists as a supporting organization of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, we do not require an applicant’s affiliation with the Episcopal Church or any other faith community in-order-to be considered for funding.
• EHF is committed to providing an environment free of discrimination where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity can contribute fully and have equal opportunities.

For more information, visit Episcopal Health Foundation.