2025 Grant Cycle
Our annual grant cycle deepens relationships with new and existing partners, enabling us to address our service region’s current and emerging health and wellness needs while aligning with our grantmaking priorities and strategic plan to advance systemic health equity solutions. The information below will help you submit the strongest proposal possible, so please review it carefully.
About the 2025 Grant Cycle
As more organizations in our region learn about the Foundation, our grant cycles have become increasingly competitive. As a smaller foundation with limited assets and guided by our Learning and Evaluation framework, for our 2025 grant cycle, we will prioritize organizations with strong strategic alignment, a footprint in the HCF region, and intersectional approaches to health equity in this and upcoming grant cycles.
Application Process
The 2025 grant cycle is open to new and returning applicants seeking a one-year grant. See below for important information about each stage of the application process, starting with Stage 1, Letter of Intent.
Stage 1
Letter of Intent (LOI)
Opens January 6, 2025
All applicants must submit a LOI detailing their approach to advancing health equity and justice, their plan to utilizing grant funds, and the demographics of their leadership and communities they serve.
Stage 2
Full Grant Application
March 2025
Our staff will review all LOIs upon receipt and notify applicants about their advancement to the next stage for submitting a full grant application.
Stage 3
Site Visit
May-June 2025
Applicants will be informed if a site visit is scheduled to meet with HCF staff for more in-depth discussions about their work in the region.
Stage 4
HCF Board Meeting
August 2025
HCF Staff presents grant recommendations to our Board of Directors, who will then vote for approval.
Stage 5
Grant Decisions Released
September 2025
Applicants will be informed of our grant decisions and will receive relevant information, including grant letters, agreements and additional instructions.
Stage 6
Grant Announcement
October 2025
We will announce all grants across our communications channels.
Quick Tips for Using Our Grants Portal
- New applicants must create an organizational profile before applying.
- Returning applicants can update their profile and contact information as needed.
- We ask that each applicant maintains only one account. Contact us if you experience a staff transition or need help accessing your account.
- If you need a new password, click “Forgot My Password” on the grants portal homepage.
- For technical issues, email us at communications@hcfdn.org or call (708) 443-5674. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response if you send us an email.
- If you have other questions, please submit them here.
What We Look For In Grantee Partners
We understand the time and effort involved in applying for a grant and prioritize clarity about what alignment with our grantmaking framework means. Learn more about “What We Look for in Grantee Partners” and what priorities and values guide our decisions to help applicants assess how their work aligns with our mission.
What We Don't Fund for General Operating Support
- Businesses
- Capital Campaigns*
- Conferences and one-day workshops
- Government entities
- Individuals
- National organizations not focused on our service region
- Operating foundations not directly connected to community-based efforts
- Partisan political activities
- Religious activities
- Scholarships or tuition
- School Districts and Individual Schools (incl. parent-teacher associations, charter schools, and nonprofits with more than 80% of expenses for schoolbased operations)
*Only capital expenses for materials will be considered for funding (i.e., medical equipment, dental chairs).
Questions About Your Application
If you have questions regarding alignment between your proposal and our grantmaking priorities, please submit them here.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
To help you complete your grant application, please visit our FAQs.
