MISSION SUPPORT GRANT APPLICATION
Applications open: July 5, 2023 @8:00am PST
Applications close: September 15, 2023 @5:00pm PST
Decisions/Distributions: January 2024
Applications are closed
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Overview
- Application Guidelines
- Additional Grant Information
- About the Application
- Grant & Evaluation Process
- Ask the Funder Sessions & Office Hours
- FAQs
Alliance Healthcare Foundation’s Mission Support funding program provides multi-year (three-year), unrestricted, core operating support to nonprofit organizations located in San Diego and serving our San Diego community.
Funding ranges are from $25,000 to $30,000 per recipient annually for up to three years. Organizations may use the funds in a way that best meets the most pressing needs of the people they serve. The total Mission Support grant funding is $900,000 per year with a total of $2.7 million over three years.
Alliance Healthcare Foundation’s mission is to advance health and wellness for vulnerable populations in San Diego through a health equity lens. We prioritize our Mission Support grant funding in communities with the greatest social and health inequities and with grantee partners whose efforts are led or informed by the communities they serve. With this intent, we will be grounded in racial disparity data through our grant and decision-making practices.
Alliance Healthcare Foundation (AHF) aims to:
- Advance health and wellness outcomes and reduce social and health disparities in marginalized communities.
- Provide flexible resources and autonomy to organizations that know what is best for the communities they serve.
- Prioritize systems-change and address root cause, social determinants of health.
- Set clear expectations upfront for applicants to better understand our priorities and limit unnecessary time and effort from applicants not directly aligned with those priorities.
- Be a relevant and trusted partner in the community.
- Fund a diverse set of organizations (i.e., geographically throughout San Diego County, organizational size, types of populations served, and services provided).
If you have any further questions or would like to discuss, please contact our program team.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for AHF’s 2024 San Diego Mission Support, your organization must:
- Be a 501(c)(3) or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor;
- Be located in San Diego County and serve communities in San Diego;
- Be aligned with AHF’s mission and clearly demonstrate impact, and
- Be focused on eliminating equity gaps and addressing social determinants of health, with an explicit focus on underserved and marginalized communities and specifically communities of color.
- Strong preference will be given to organizations who serve at least 60% or more BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) clients.
All organizations that are selected to receive funding will be required to enter into a grant agreement with AHF. If you would like to review a copy of the agreement terms, please review a generic copy here.
Who may apply?
- New grantees to AHF
- Current and past Mission Support grantees
- Organizations previously funded through other AHF grant programs
ADDITIONAL GRANT INFORMATION
Reporting: We will provide various options for grantees to share their progress including scheduled check-ins, site visits, attendance of special events and sharing of the agency’s annual report. This helps us capture the impact of our grants and deepen relationships with grantees. To ensure continued mission alignment, AHF reserves the right to reconsider funding in years 2 and 3 before releasing funds.
Priority will be given to organizations that:
- Are focused on communities with the greatest health and social inequities and whose efforts are led or informed by the communities they serve;
- Have an explicit commitment to racial equity;
- Can demonstrate evidence of measurable results, and
- Are working upstream to address social determinants of health* and/or systems change** focused on reducing social/health inequities.
*Examples of social determinants of health include economic stability, neighborhood and built environments, access to healthcare, education, and social or community context.
**Systems change (addressing root causes of social problems) includes working to alter the underlying structures, policies, and practices that contribute to complex societal issues. Systems change involves implementing comprehensive strategies that tackle the root causes of these disparities, rather than just addressing their symptoms. Examples include social justice work, community organizing/power building, policy or advocacy work, or other efforts to address structural inequities.
ABOUT THE GRANT APPLICATION
Alliance Healthcare Foundation application portal “Submittable” will be open to receive Mission Support Grant applications from July 5, 2023, 8:00am PST to September 15, 2023. Applications are due Friday, September 15, 2023, by 5:00pm PST through the Submittable platform. Please take special note: applications that are not submitted before 5:00pm PST on September 15th are unable to be saved in the system. Please plan accordingly to ensure we receive your application.
Helpful Tips to Submit the Grant Application on Submittable:
- In the areas of the grant application that require a “word count” summary, write those answers in a word document format first.
- Copy and paste from the word document into the application platform, Submittable.
- Ensure that you complete the application by saving the document.
- Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and cannot be accessed in the system after the deadline has passed.
Want to draft your responses first?
Access the Mission Support Grant 2024 Application-Template (.pdf)
GRANT AND EVALUATION PROCESS
The Request for Applications period has been extended to 2.5 months to:
- Provide applicants ample time to carefully draft their applications.
- Provide time for “Ask the Funder” webinars and office hours with AHF Staff.
- Promote the Request for Applications through a variety of resources in support of attracting a diverse set of applicants.
We anticipate receiving 200+ applications this year. Once applications close on September 15, the applications review timeline starts. The review timeline has been extended to 1.5 months to ensure enough time for thorough consideration and data analysis.
Evaluators will be asked to consider all of the factors below when reviewing all applications, and these factors will form the basis for our holistic review and discussion when determining final grant awards. All applications will be reviewed by at least three reviewers.
- Mission alignment
- Prioritizing communities with greatest health/social inequities
- Racial equity focus
- Addressing social determinants of health and/or systems change
- Organization’s evaluation practices
- Focus areas
- Services/activities depth and breadth
- Budget & financial strength
- Overall applicant cohort considerations to ensure diversity in geographic location, population/communities served, types of services/activities, size of organization, new or returning grantee.
The Program team will provide recommendations to the board for approval in mid-December. Formal announcements of the 2024 Mission Support grantee cohort will be made in January 2024 along with the distribution of funding to the selected grantees, following fully executed Grant Agreements.
ASK THE FUNDER SESSIONS & OFFICE HOURS
Alliance Healthcare Foundation will hold two zoom webinars (optional to attend) to review the Mission Support Grant Application and process. Participation in a webinar is not required to apply for the grant. There will also be 15-minute office hour sessions offered to provide additional support about the application and submission process.
Ask the Funder (Session 1)
July 26, 2023; 11:00-11:45 am PST
Ask the Funder (Session 2)
August 16, 2023; 4:00-4:45 pm PST
Slide Deck
Video recording of the Aug 16 Ask the Funder Session
Ask the Funder Office Hours with AHF Staff:
See calendar to select a convenient time.
If you are not able to participate in a webinar, video recordings will be available on this webpage.
ABOUT THE GRANT
1. What is the Alliance Healthcare Foundation’s “mission”?
Our mission is to advance health and wellness for vulnerable populations in San Diego through a health equity lens. We prioritize our Mission Support grant funding in communities with the greatest social and health inequities and with grantee partners who share this focus. With this intent, we will be grounded in racial disparity data through our grant and decision-making practices.
2. What is the Mission Support Grant?
The Mission Support grant is a multi-year (three years), unrestricted, core operating support to nonprofit organizations located in San Diego and serving the San Diego community.
3. What are the funding ranges for this grant?
Funding ranges are from $25,000 to $100,000 annually per recipient for up to three years. The average award ranges from $25,000 – $50,000 per year. A total of $900,000 per year will be awarded. Awarded amounts are determined by AHF and this award amount will stay the same for each year.
4. When does the 2024 San Diego Mission Support Grant Application open and when is it due?
The 2024 San Diego Mission Support grant cycle opens July 5th at 8:00 am and closes on September 15th at 5:00 pm. Applications that are not submitted before 5:00pm PST on September 15th are unable to be saved in the system.
ABOUT THE APPLICATION
1. Where do I access the Mission Support grant application?
Applications can be accessed through the Submittable platform.
2. I noticed that there are two steps to the application. In Step 1 of the application, it says that I am submitting my “Intent to Apply,” do I need to wait for AHF to move forward with Step 2?
No, you do not. Completing Step 1-“Intent to Apply” means that you are informing us that you are interested in the grant. Step 2 is the full application and you must submit it by September 15 at 5 pm to be considered.
3. Do you have a copy of the application so I can review it before I apply?
Yes, here is the copy for your review and for drafting purposes: Mission Support Grant 2024 Application (.pdf)
4. What are some helpful tips to submit the grant on Submittable?
- In the areas of the grant application that require a “word count,” write those answers in a word document format first.
- Copy and paste from the word document into the application platform, Submittable.
- Ensure that you complete the application by saving the document.
- It is also advised to save the drafted application each time you make any changes prior to your final submission.
- Incomplete applications cannot be accessed in the system by AHF or applicant once the due date has passed (September 15 at 5 pm PST).
5. Does the Submittable platform track my word count for those responses that have a required word limit?
Submittable does not count the words in your answers. You can use a Word document or a free online word counter to make sure you stay within the word limit.
6. If I started to apply on Submittable but I didn’t finish my application and I saved a “draft,” can I access it after the deadline of September 15 since it is in the system?
Alliance Healthcare Foundation (AHF) cannot review “draft” or incomplete applications on Submittable. On September 15, 2023, at 5:00 pm PST, incomplete applications will no longer be accessible to prospective applicants or AHF. Please make sure your application is completed and submitted on time, and that draft answers are saved on your own device as backup.
ABOUT THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
1.Do I need to be a non-profit agency in San Diego County to apply?
Yes. All applicants must be either a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor in San Diego County.
If you serve San Diego as part of a regional or national organization, please complete the application based on your specific work in and for San Diego. This includes physical address, financials, demographics, focus areas and communities served.
2. Who can apply for this grant?
We are accepting applications from new applicants, current/previous Mission Support grantees, and organizations previously funded through other AHF grant programs that are in San Diego County, California.
3. What is the eligibility criteria?
a) Be a 501(c)(3) or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor;
b) Be located in San Diego County and serve communities in San Diego;
c) Be aligned with AHF’s mission and clearly demonstrate impact, and
d) Be focused on eliminating equity gaps and addressing social determinants of health, with an explicit focus on underserved and marginalized communities and specifically communities of color.
e) Strong preference will be given to organizations who serve at least 60% or more BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) clients.
4. What do you mean by social determinants of health?
Examples of social determinants of health include economic stability, neighborhood and built environments, access to healthcare, education, and social or community context.
5. What are the grant’s areas of focus?
- Access to Care
- Aging & Senior Support Services
- Behavioral Health (such as Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health)
- Community Advocacy & Organizing
- Early Childhood Development
- Education
- Environmental Health
- Economic Security & Re-Entry
- Food Insecurity & Economic Stability
- Homelessness
- LGBTQIA+ Services
- Primary Healthcare/Preventive Care
- Racial Equity Justice
- Refugee & Immigrant Services
- Veteran Services
- Violence Prevention
- Youth/Childhood Wellbeing
6. What if we have areas of focus that do not appear on your list?
You will be able to add additional areas of focus on the application. Please be sure it is clearly consistent with the overall goals of the Mission Support program described previously and on our website.
7. What are the grant’s focus areas for communities served?
- Communities of Color
- Families
- Unhoused/Homeless
- Individuals Living with Disabilities
- Individuals with Low Wages (commonly referred to as “low income”)
- LGBTQIA+
- Refugee/Immigrant
- Seniors
- Veterans
- Youth/Children
8. What if we serve other communities that do not appear on your list?
You will be able to add in the section “other communities served” on the application. Please be sure it is clearly consistent with the overall goals of the Mission Support program described previously and on our website.
9. Will you be asking for any data related to the volunteers that serve our agency?
No, we will not be asking for any volunteer data during this grant cycle.
10. Our agency does not have a website or URL to add in the application, what would you recommend we do?
If your agency does not have a website, please use your agency’s active social media account such as Facebook or Linkedin page.
ABOUT THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND USE OF A FISCAL SPONSOR
1. Is the provided budget template a requirement or can we upload our own?
Please use your most current board approved budget to complete the template provided in the application. Completing the template provided will help support the review process.
In addition, if you are submitting a grant for a large organization or agency, include the budget for the entire agency.
2. Are there different requirements for completing the application if I am using a fiscal sponsor?
For the most part, your agency will follow the same format and complete the same application.
When using a fiscal sponsor, we will need:
The fiscal sponsor’s name, 501c3 letter of determination, and 990 form submitted in the application. All other application sections should reflect the information of the agency being fiscally sponsored.
For the agency being fiscally sponsored, we will need:
The agency or initiative name, lead contact person’s name and email information and the agency/initiatives budget when asked in the application.
3. If I am using a fiscal sponsor and am awarded a grant, who receives the monetary award?
Grant distributions are made to the 501(c)(3) submitting organization. In the case of a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, the fiscal sponsor would receive the grant distribution on your behalf. You would be awarded funding based on your agreement with your fiscal sponsor.
ABOUT THE EVALUATION PROCESS
1. How will the applications be evaluated?
Evaluators will be asked to consider all of the factors below when reviewing all applications, and these factors will form the basis for our holistic review and discussion when determining final grant awards. All applications will be reviewed by at least three reviewers.
Factors to consider:
- Mission alignment
- Prioritizing communities with greatest health/social inequities
- Racial equity focus
- Addressing social determinants of health and/or systems change
- Organization’s evaluation practices
- Focus areas
- Services/activities depth and breadth
- Budget & financial strength
- Overall applicant cohort considerations to ensure diversity in geographic location, population/communities served, types of services/activities, size of organization, new or returning grantee.
2. Why will organizations who serve more than 60% BIPOC communities be prioritized?
To intentionally reflect San Diego’s current demographic make-up among low-income and underserved population, and 2) People of color are disproportionately represented in low-income, vulnerable populations due to historical marginalization and other systemic factors. If we are to achieve health equity, it requires that we target resources to help close disparity gaps. This prioritization is not meant to exclude any groups; rather it is meant to intentionally prioritize resources in a way that reflects our community reality, and supports organizations who are effectively reaching and serving those most in need.
ABOUT THE AWARD
1. When will awardees be notified of their award?
Awardees selected for this grant cycle will be notified in January 2024. This allows the team to carefully review all the applications and provide recommendations to the Alliance Healthcare Foundation Board.
2. How many and when will awardees receive funding?
Depending on the applicant pool, we will likely make between 25-30 grants this cycle, with the average award estimated between $25k to $35k. Funds will be disbursed after awardees are notified and the Grant Agreements are fully executed (signed) with a target date of January 2024.
3. Will award amounts be the same each of the three years of the grant?
Yes, if awarded, the award amount will be the same each year.
Example: If you receive an award for $25,000, you will receive $25,000 each year for a total of $75,000. Refer to the grant agreement template for further details.
HOW TO GET MORE INFORMATION
1. Will you have “Ask the Funder” sessions and are they required to apply for the grant?
Alliance Healthcare Foundation will hold two zoom webinars to review the Mission Support Grant Application and process. Participation in a webinar is not required to apply for the grant.
Ask the Funder (Session 1)
July 26, 2023; 11:00-11:45 am PST
Ask the Funder (Session 2)
August 16, 2023; 4:00-4:45 pm PST
VIDEO recording of the August 16 Ask the Funder webinar.
Slide deck from the August 16 Ask the Funder webinar.
2. If I have questions during the application process, who should I contact?
We will have “Office Hours” from August 1 to September 12 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in 15-minute time slots with the Program Team to answer technical questions about the application. You can register on our Calendly.
3. I have a quick question, where should I send the question to?
You can send your question to Program team at grants@alliancehf.org. Please allow 1-2 business days for response.
4. I can’t make the “Ask the Funder” sessions or office hours, where else can I find information to help me with the grant application?
If you are not able to participate in a webinar, video recordings will be available on the Alliance Healthcare Foundation 2024 Mission Support webpage.
If you have any further questions, please contact: grants@alliancehf.org
