HOW WE GIVE
Types of Grants
The Fall 2026 Grant Cycle has closed.
To learn more about this opportunity in the future, you are invited to watch the informational meeting.
Capacity Building
Capacity Building grants are intended to strengthen the operations of nonprofits and nonprofit partnerships in the region to increase their service reach and their ability to generate significant community health results.
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Examples of capacity building include (but are not limited to) requests to improve management skills, to develop true business and financial plans that will guide sustainability, or to expand fundraising strategies or staffing. Focus is on the quality, strength and sustainability of the internal operations of the organization or partnership that are necessary to achieve growth and stability.
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In FY 2027, Capacity Building grants will be considered in the Fall and Spring. The 2026 Fall Cycle opens with Letters of Inquiry (LOI) on August 14th. LOIs are due on September 4th. Applications may also be required. Grants will be awarded by the end of the calendar year.
NOTE: Only one grant request per organization per cycle will be considered.
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Proposals ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 will be considered. Requests from $10,000 - $30,000 will require only a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). Requests greater than $30,000 will require an Application, if the LOI is approved.
Service Strengthening
Service Strengthening grants are intended to help nonprofit organizations or partnerships expand or deepen their services to achieve greater community health impact. Funding will support project-specific, outcomes-based new or existing programs and services. Additional consideration will be given to requests from nonprofit organizations collaborating with other nonprofits or institutions to grow their services in rural communities within the BHF 9-county service area.
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To support service expansion or quality, grant applications might address the addition of complementary services, service access by underserved communities, or service quality improvement. The focus is on ensuring that high-quality community health services are available to and accessible by everyone in all types of communities in the region.
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In FY 2027, Service Strengthening grants will be considered in the Fall and Spring. The 2026 Fall Cycle opens with Letters of Inquiry (LOI) on August 14th. LOIs are due on September 4th. Applications may also be required. Grants will be awarded by the end of the calendar year.
NOTE: Only one grant request per organization per cycle will be considered.
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The grant range is $10,000 to $100,000.
Innovation
Innovation grants are intended to bring new players, new methods, or new partnerships to community health priorities to improve community health results. The focus is on identifying and trying new ideas and new approaches, either created anew in the region or replicated in the region from elsewhere in the nation where success has been experienced.
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Examples might include a new pathway for reaching or impacting a community not usually engaged in health prevention (e.g., mosques to engage Muslim women in diabetes prevention), an innovative technological approach to a problem (mood focused smartphone apps to prevent suicide), an initiative to test an approach to a community health problem whose origins are poorly understood or appreciated (e.g., adjusting health approaches for culture).
The emphasis is on creativity and ensuring that there is true community partnership in concepts, actions, and results.
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The next Innovation grant cycle will be in Spring 2028.
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This information is currently unavailable. Please check back in late 2027.
Discretionary
Discretionary grants are intended to help nonprofit organizations respond to organizational emergencies or unusual or unforeseen expenses that create a barrier for service provision.
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Examples might include a response to natural or man-made disasters, or inaccessible or destroyed technology or equipment. The emergency must be a barrier to providing services or carrying out basic operations. Awards will be made consistent with the Foundation’s mission and guidelines.
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Discretionary grant requests will be considered throughout the year. Applications are made available to qualified nonprofit organizations by contacting the Foundation office.
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A maximum of $8,000 will be awarded for any single request; grants larger than $5,000 will be an exception.
Grant Review Process
The Better Health Foundation (BHF) values are transparency, collaboration with the nonprofit community, open learning with those receiving our grants, and equity. Our commitment to our values is demonstrated in the way grant recipients are selected.