Responsive Funding

The Healthy Communities Foundation’s Responsive Grants Portal is closed as we transition to a new grants management system.

We aim to reopen the portal in Fall 2025, but this timeline is subject to change. Updates will be posted on our website.

Please note: We will NOT review sponsorship requests during the closure. If you have an urgent response or emergency request, please contact Dani Hunter at dhunter@hcfdn.org.

As a community-informed and engaged foundation, we recognize that our grantmaking must be agile and responsive to our region’s immediate and evolving community health and wellness needs. Outside of our general operating support grantmaking, we make Responsive grants to community partners for time-sensitive crises, special activities promoting health and wellness, and sponsorship for community events that celebrate and/or encourage new ideas and innovation in our region. Additionally, our Responsive grants are opportunities to learn about organizations we may not already have a relationship with, which can create gateways for future partnerships with those organizations.

Led by our mission, vision, and core values, we accept requests on a rolling basis that align with one of five pathways, also known as the “5 Cs”, of our responsive funding: 

CELEBRATE

Through the “Celebrate” pathway, we sponsor social events, such as galas, anniversary celebrations and fundraisers. We prioritize event sponsorship requests from current HCF grantee partners and events located in and accessible to community residents.

COLLABORATE

Through the “Collaborate” pathway, we provide funding/sponsorship for events or initiatives that allow community-based organizations, local leaders, and/or community members in our service region to collaborate across issues that create a more connected ecosystem of care, health and wellness. Examples include health summits, health fairs, and in-community meetings or forums.

COMMUNITY

Through the “Community” pathway, we provide funding to organizations for special projects and activities that support on-the-ground community work to advance health equity in our region. We understand that efforts are constantly evolving, and the goal of this pathway is to maintain an open door to new and emerging organizations and initiatives. Partners funded in this pathway must focus on and work within the Healthy Communities Foundation’s service region.

CONNECT

Through the “Connect” pathway, we provide funding for events or initiatives, such as those from philanthropy–serving organizations or relevant professional groups, that allow people to connect around an issue aligned with the Healthy Communities Foundation’s peer learning or field learning goals.

CREATE

Through the “Create” pathway, we provide funding for 1) projects that aim to create a new tool, resource, collaboration, or initiative that advances the Foundation’s mission, vision, and values, or 2) organizations responding to emergency community health needs during a crisis.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

To ensure an equitable response to Responsive funding requests we receive:

Organizations can only receive one sponsorship through the “Celebrate”, “Collaborate”, or “Connect” pathways per 12-month period.
After five years of receiving sponsorship support through the “Celebrate”, “Collaborate”, and/or “Connect” pathways, an organization must take a two-year hiatus from requesting sponsorship support.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is the Responsive portal closed for requests?

The Responsive Grants Portal is temporarily closed as Healthy Communities Foundation transitions to a new grants management system (GMS). Our goal is to implement a streamlined GMS that will create a more efficient experience for applicants and grantee partners.

When will the Responsive portal reopen?

We anticipate that the Responsive portal will reopen in Fall 2025. The portal will launch in the new grants management system, and the link to access the portal will be different than the previous one. We will provide instructions on how to set up a new account profile.

The website indicates that HCF may consider urgent or emergency requests while the Responsive portal is closed. What would be considered an “urgent” or “emergency” request?

Urgent or emergency requests are defined as a project or initiative that addresses a time-sensitive community need. Examples include crisis mental health support for organizations dealing with the injury or death of a staff member or participant on-site.

It is important to note that sponsorship requests are not classified as urgent. “Sponsorships” include requests that align with the Celebrate, Collaborate, and Connect categories listed above.

How do I submit an urgent Responsive request while the portal is closed?

Please contact Dani Hunter at dhunter@hcfdn.org with information about your urgent request.

Will HCF consider sponsorship requests while the Responsive portal is closed?

We will not consider sponsorship requests in the Celebrate, Collaborate, or Connect pathways (categories listed above) while the portal is closed.

Will HCF consider Resilience grant requests while the Responsive portal is closed?

Please contact Tina Ramirez Moon at tramirez@hcfdn.org with questions regarding Resilience grant requests.

I submitted a request before the Responsive portal closed. Will my request be considered? How will I receive updates about pending requests?

Requests submitted before May 5, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. CST will be reviewed by a member of our program team. HCF will email Responsive request updates and decisions to the primary contact listed in the organization profile.

I received a Responsive award before the portal closed, but did not upload an acknowledgment letter. How can I submit an acknowledgment letter while the portal is closed?

Please email a copy of your acknowledgement letter to administration@hcfdn.org.

Typically, HCF logos are available in the Responsive portal for approved sponsorships. How can I access a copy of the HCF logo while the Responsive portal is closed?

You can request a copy of the HCF logo by emailing our Communications team at communications@hcfdn.org while the portal is closed.

Will I need to create a new account on HCF's new grants management system/in the new Responsive portal?

Yes, organizations will be asked to create a new account in HCF’s new grants management system. We will provide more detailed instructions on how to do this in Fall 2025.

Can I access previously submitted Responsive requests in the new Responsive portal?

No, organizations will not have access to view previously submitted Responsive requests in the new Responsive portal. Please contact Dani Hunter at dhunter@hcfdn.org if you need a copy of these requests.

Who do I contact with questions about Responsive grantmaking or about the Responsive portal closure?

Please contact Dani Hunter at dhunter@hcfdn.org if you have any questions.