Frequently Asked Questions
General Operating Support
How were organizations selected for multi-year grants?
Since 2017, we have been intentional in how we use data from grantee partners to inform our funding strategies and processes and evaluate the impact of our grantmaking. Hyperlocal data, in-depth conversations with grantee partners, and our evaluation framework have influenced the evolution of our general operating support funding. These elements helped shape the criteria for selecting our first multi-year cohort (2021-2023) and our strategic shifts and selection of partners for our second multi-year cohort (2024-2029).
While each multi-year partner meets the following criteria, how they do so may vary based on their organizational focus, the communities served, and other factors:
- Increased services and presence in the HCF region through additional locations, co-locations and/or expanded locations.
- Uses an organization-wide, intersectional approach to health equity and racial justice beyond individual programs and services and across the Foundation’s four grantmaking priorities (Access, Address, Augment, Advocate)
- Actively engages our region’s community members in shaping strategies and solutions through intentional dialogue and decision-making.
- Leadership at both staff and board levels is reflective of the community served and issue of focus.
- Engages in organizational learning and data collection to drive upstream, systems-level health equity efforts.
- Collaborates with others through an intersectional lens, bringing expertise and capacity for collective efforts.
- Demonstrated local leadership in responding to post-pandemic needs by implementing and advocating for:
- Community health workers/promotores de salud
- Community-based mental health services
What are the most significant differences between an annual grant and a multi-year grant from Healthy Communities Foundation?
The primary distinction between annual and multi-year funding is the time commitment required from grantee partners and the Foundation.
For Annual Grantee Partners: We have streamlined the grant application and reporting process to minimize the time spent on applications, site visits, and due diligence. Our evaluation framework emphasizes the valuable insights we can gain from the critical work of annual grantee partners, and we aim to engage with them in a collaborative learning process that can inform our broader strategies.
For Multi-Year Partners: Multi-year partners receive a five-year funding commitment with an agreement to engage in an iterative learning process throughout this period. These partners may also engage more consistently with the Foundation by participating in capacity building, training, and leadership development opportunities.
When do you begin your next multi-year funding cohort?
Our current cohort of multi-year partners has been selected and will engage with us over five years (2024-2029). As part of our evaluation framework, multi-year grantee partners play an important role in our learning and impact strategy. Key insights and data from our evaluation framework will inform decisions to extend multi-year grants (or expand the number and type of multi-year grantee partners). In addition to assessing our region’s health needs, we will review the goals and initiatives of our partners each year to facilitate and streamline grant renewals and ensure transparency and accountability in our partnerships.
Why did the Healthy Communities Foundation not have an open call or RFP process for multi-year partnerships?
We understand that organizations have faced significant internal and external changes in recent years, including shifts in funding. Our partners have shared that managing multiple grant applications and processes is challenging. To alleviate this burden, we drew on our insights and conversations with community and grantee partners, our strategic plan, and our commitment to trust-based philanthropy to shape our approach to multi-year partnerships.
We have committed to maintaining an annual open grant cycle to learn about new organizations and emerging needs and deepen our understanding and relationships with many organizations and stakeholders working in the region. All multi-year partners began their partnership with the Foundation through the annual cycle and were selected using the criteria in the first Q&A of this section.
If I am an annual partner (or multi-year partner), does this mean I am precluded from Responsive or strategic funding opportunities?
Our general operating support grants work in tandem with other funding opportunities. We examine various factors, including evolving community needs, the public funding climate, and campaign life cycles, to determine investment in potential strategic initiatives. Please refer to the Responsive Funding webpage for more information.
2025 Grant Cycle
New & Returning Applicants
How are you defining “new applicants” and “returning applicants”?
New Applicants: Organizations that have not previously applied for an HCF grant.
Returning Applicants: Organizations that have previously applied for or received an HCF grant in any prior grant cycle.
In this cycle, all organizations, whether new or returning, must submit a Letter of Inquiry. Given the changing landscape in the last few years and the increased competitiveness of our grant cycle, we are offering all organizations an opportunity to provide updated information about their programs and services.
I am a returning applicant. What criteria will you use to determine whether my organization is renewed or declined?
We value transparency and recognize the time and resources required to apply for a grant. Therefore, we want to clearly define what alignment with our grantmaking framework looks like.
The ongoing impact of the COVID pandemic led us to refine our grantmaking strategies to support an equitable recovery while staying aligned with our strategic plan and equitable evaluation framework. This includes a strengthened commitment to racial equity and health equity, support for culturally affirming programs and services, and investment in advocacy and upstream solutions.
As more organizations learn about HCF and new groups emerge in our region, our grant cycles have become more competitive. As a smaller foundation with limited assets, we will review all applications through this refined lens, focusing on our grantmaking priorities and learning framework. For more details on what alignment with our strategic plan entails, visit the What We Look For In Grantee Partners page.
Our Service Area
Do you have priority zip codes? If so, should an organization apply if they do not work in or with community members of priority zip codes?
We fund the 27 zip codes in our service region, as outlined in our service region’s map, regardless of whether they fall within the designated Legacy and Equity area.
Our organization is not located within the HCF service region, and/or less than 25% of our participants are from the HCF service region. Can we still apply?
Yes, you may still apply. We recognize that some organizations serve a broader geographic area or have headquarters outside our service region. However, for a competitive proposal, at least 25% of the individuals your organization serves must reside in our service region. We also consider how organizations focus their health strategies on our region and address specific community health needs.
We are not currently working in the HCF service region but are interested in expanding our efforts and/or presence there. Should we still apply?
We prioritize funding partners with established partnerships, presence, and activities in our service region. We ask that applicants consider applying once they have reached the implementation stage in our service region.
Do you fund statewide health policy work that has a proportionately higher impact on your service area?
Please refer to the question regarding policy advocacy efforts in the “Outcomes, Evaluation & Data Collection” section.
Our zip code is not in the Legacy and Equity area, yet a significant portion of our clients are underinsured and uninsured. How do we show need despite not being in the zip codes mentioned above?
We understand that inequities exist between zip codes and within them. Please describe the needs and context of the population within these zip codes, either generally or across our service region.
Grant Requests & Grant Cycle Information
Can we apply for multi-year funding?
The 2025 open grant cycle is for one-year general operating support grants. As part of our strategic plan and pandemic recovery response, we launched multi-year grants in 2021 for a select cohort of partners, with funding through 2024. We launched our second cohort at the end of 2024, which will run through 2029. The decision to extend or expand multi-year grants in the future (or the type of multi-year grants) will be based on key learnings and data from our evaluation of this grantmaking strategy.
How much funding can our organization apply for?
Organizations can apply for up to 10% of their operating budget based on their current fiscal year expenses. However, more compelling and competitive proposals will request funding that aligns with a regional health focus and programmatic rationale rather than a straightforward 10% budget request. Organizations with operating budgets over $20M should refer to the FAQs under “General Operating vs. Project Support: Requests from Larger Institutions” for further information.
Can we apply for funding for two different but complementary programs?
We prioritize funding partners with established partnerships, presence, and activities in our service region. We ask that applicants consider applying once they have reached the implementation stage in our service region.
Can we apply as a collaborative project or initiative?
Please refer to the question regarding policy advocacy efforts in the “Outcomes, Evaluation & Data Collection” section.
How do we show collaboration at the community level for statewide and regional organizations?
Please describe how your organization participates in community-specific collaboratives or how members from a particular community are involved in your efforts. We seek grantee partners who demonstrate an explicit focus and meaningful commitment to building community power and/or engaging community members in strategy development and decision-making.
Do you fund faith-based institutions that are 501(c)3?
We recognize that faith-based institutions can play a central role in communities. A faith-based organization with 501(c)(3) status may apply for a grant, provided it does not require attendance at or participation in religious teachings or faith-specific services and does not discriminate based on religious or spiritual beliefs.
Why are schools and school districts ineligible to apply?
We recognize the important role schools play as trusted community entities and sites for health programs and services. While we are engaged in community-led conversations impacting schools and districts, school districts and individual schools (including charter networks and schools) are not eligible for general operating support. This is due, in part, to the sustainability of strategic efforts that intersect with health and education issues. However, schools and districts can still benefit from our resources if they are identified as community partners by a separate nonprofit organization in their application. A separate nonprofit organization is defined as a 501(c)(3) that does not share staff, board members, or financial resources with the school or school district. As with all applicants, these organizations must demonstrate their commitment to and understanding of the school and the local community.
If I request project support (versus general operating support), can I request more than the 10%-of-budget threshold?
The 10%-of-budget threshold applies equally to general operating and project support requests to ensure equity in our process.
The majority of our organization’s budget is from government grants. How might this factor into your consideration or review process?
We understand that many social service agencies rely heavily on government grants. While we do not set a specific threshold for the concentration of government funding, we carefully review audits and financial budgets for any budget deficits or significant funding shifts.
Do you fund capital campaigns?
We do not fund capital campaigns. However, we will consider requests for capital expenses, such as materials (e.g., medical equipment and dental chairs).
Can an organization apply for a general operating support request for a new pilot project or expand a project within one request?
We believe that your organization best understands your programmatic strategy. Based on your familiarity with our guidelines and approach, we ask you to use your best judgment as to the nature of the request. However, competitive applicants typically demonstrate established partnerships, presence, and activities within our service region.
When will the next funding cycle open?
We aim to launch the next annual cycle in Spring of 2026, with funding decisions announced by September 2026.
If my organization was declined funding in 2024, can I re-apply?
Yes, we understand that community needs can evolve over time. We encourage you to review the What We Look For In Grantee Partners page, consider any feedback received in previous grant cycles, and reach out to our team with questions about alignment.
Our organization's budget is ineligible for audits. What financial documents should I supply instead?
We understand that organizations with budgets under $500,000 are not required to undergo an independent CPA audit. However, those with budgets between $300,000 and $500,000 must file a financial statement with the Illinois Attorney General. If your organization falls within that range, please provide that financial statement and your board-approved budget. For organizations with budgets under $300,000, only a board-approved budget is required.
Outcomes, Evaluation & Data Collection
Are there specific outcomes that Healthy Communities Foundation is looking for?
In 2021, we introduced a Foundation-wide evaluation framework to guide our data collection and organizational learning efforts. Our equitable evaluation approach recognizes that addressing health equity in our region requires diverse strategies deeply rooted in the local community context. We value data-driven, evidence-based health initiatives that emerge from and are supported by grassroots leadership—those with lived experience and a nuanced understanding of local communities.
Ultimately, we aim to partner with organizations that demonstrate effective health equity approaches, articulate clear and measurable goals, and show a strong commitment to advancing racial equity, health equity, and/or racial justice and health justice in all aspects of their work. We encourage you to visit the What We Look For In Grantee Partners page for detailed information on what we seek in grantee partners.
For returning partners funded in the 2024 cycle, updating your organization’s Candid profile is an important component of your year-end grant report. Resources to assist with this process are available on our website.
Regarding social determinants of health, can you talk about tracking health outcomes when our programs have traditionally tracked outcomes related to housing, education, etc.?
Please refer to the question above. For the Letter of Intent, please include the outcomes your organization currently tracks.
What is the best way to present data on the population served for policy advocacy efforts?
We want to learn how community members in our service region are directly involved in your organization’s activities. For example, How are individuals in the region participating in advocacy efforts, either locally or statewide? Are they engaged as trainers, peer educators, participatory action researchers, or in leadership roles? Are they the primary audience or recipients of your programs and initiatives?
Please provide the number of individuals directly involved and use the space in the application to offer additional context about their direct or indirect involvement.
What is the best way to present data on the population served for programs/services that aim to benefit or reach all individuals in a zip code?
Please refer to the question above and indicate how individuals are directly engaged in your efforts.
If we are funded by HCF, what will the reporting process be? Are we required to submit mid-year or final reports?
Our evaluation framework guides our data collection and organizational learning efforts. As part of the grant process, organizations must submit a final written or verbal report in August 2025.
Additionally, our annual grant report includes claiming and updating your organization’s Candid profile. You can find resources for this process on our website.
What is this year’s requirement for sharing board diversity/identity?
Organizations applying for general operating support grants will be asked to provide demographic data for their board, staff, and participants as part of our commitment to organizational learning and racial equity. We understand that organizations may collect this data differently than the requested format or may not yet be collecting this data. Please reach out to our Program team if you have questions regarding your specific situation.
Can a board legally refuse to provide diversity data?
Nonprofit organizations are generally not legally required to disclose demographic information at the board level. However, there is a shift in the social impact sector to do so as a best practice to advance organizational equity goals. Research shows that diverse boards and leadership teams, which reflect the communities they serve, are more innovative and effective in their approaches.
Rewards & Award Decisions
How will Letters of Intent/full grant applications be reviewed?
Our Program staff reviews and recommends Letters of Intent and full grant applications using a scoring rubric to assess alignment with our grantmaking framework and funding priorities. Our Board of Directors makes final funding decisions.
If we are not funded, can we receive feedback on our Letter of Intent or full grant application?
We understand the time and effort it takes to prepare a proposal and recognize the value of feedback to help determine whether future applications align with organizational priorities. If your organization is not selected to move forward after Stage 1 (LOI) or Stage 2 (Full Grant Application), please reach out to our Program team for feedback. We will provide additional details and next steps in follow-up communications.
Will you accept letters of support from community partners?
We do not require supplemental items for your application other than what is asked in the LOI itself. If your organization is emerging and/or grassroots (including, but not limited to, if you apply with a fiscal sponsor), please reach out to us to confirm if a letter of support or other evidence might be appropriate.
Is there an intended funding range for this year’s grant cycle?
We do not have a predetermined funding range for this grant cycle.
How are grant dollars distributed across priority areas?
Given the intersectional nature of many grant requests, we determine the total grant awards for each area based on the volume of requests received and the total number of recommended awards.
When will applicants be notified?
Grant recipients will be notified of funding in Fall 2025.
What is the grant term for this cycle?
Grant awards will be officially announced across our communication channels in October 2025. The grant period is October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026.
General Operating vs. Project Support: Requests from Larger institutions
We are a large agency, and our work is citywide (or serves an area beyond the HCF service region). Should we still apply under general operating if we plan to request support for a program within your geographic area?
Organizations with operating budgets over $30M, including universities or health and hospital systems, should submit a project-specific application. In some cases, HCF staff may reach out during the review process for additional information. As highlighted in our communications about this year’s grant cycle, the most compelling and competitive proposals will request funding aligned with our regional programmatic health focus.
Would you consider funding a university or school within a university (such as health sciences, social work, or education) with its own budget, program staff, and community impact?
Please visit the What We Look For In Grantee Partners page for specific details about university and hospital requests. You can reach out to our Program team with specific questions around alignment.
Would a hospital or university be eligible to propose its health equity work in a specific community under one proposal with multiple projects? We have more than one project which meets the guidelines.
If your institution meets the eligibility criteria, you may position your proposal as you see fit. We ask all institutions applying for project support to review the What We Look For In Grantee Partners page for more information on alignment. The most compelling project requests align with our programmatic priorities and demonstrate the institution’s strategic investment in our region. Projects with strong partnerships in our region, committed institutional investments and a clear connection to the larger institutional mission are more competitive.
Can I apply using the audit and 990 of the university and hospital’s operating foundation?
You may apply using the operating foundation information, but we require a detailed project budget. Without it, our team will be unable to fully evaluate your proposal, which may impact the grant decision.
What do I need to prepare to apply for a project support grant (organizations with a Budget over $30M)?
When completing the LOI, large institutions should use their full organizational budget size, which will unlock additional project support questions in the LOI. The project support section of the LOI will then ask for a separate budget for the specific project, detailing both current revenue and expenses. Strongly aligned project support grants will demonstrate strategic partnerships, significant investments, and a deep commitment to local communities in our service region, and alignment with the approaches outlined in our 2025 Grant Guidelines. Please reach out if you have additional questions.
