Funders of Rural Community Health Programs

Examples of Federal Agencies Funding Rural Community Health Programs

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
CDC awards grants and cooperative agreements to state and local governments, non-profits/educational organizations, for-profit groups, and foreign ministries and associations to conduct public health research and implement community programs.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
CMS funds work to develop, test, and implement new healthcare financing and payment programs. It also provides grants for Medicare and Medicaid demonstration projects.

Indian Health Service (IHS)
IHS provides grants for programs that support American Indian/Alaska Native individuals, families, and tribes in a variety of community programs.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH funds research grants, career development awards, research training and fellowships, program project/center grants, and resource grants. For example, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institutefunds clinical research on topics related to heart, lung, and blood-related diseases. While communities typically are not directly funded, they could partner with a clinical researcher or university to apply for research funding.

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
FORHP provides Rural Health Funding Opportunities for rural hospitals, health centers, clinics and other rural organizations to develop programs to increase access to health care.

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
ARC funds work in the Appalachian Region, specifically targeting business development, education and job training, telecommunications, infrastructure, community development, housing, and transportation.

Delta Regional Authority (DRA)
Works in the Delta Region (AL, AR, IL, KY, LA, MS, MO, TN), investing in transportation infrastructure, public infrastructure, workforce training, and business development. Promotes development and growth in economically distressed communities within the region.

The Denali Commission
The Commission provides job training and other economic development services in rural communities in Alaska, including the planning and construction of health care facilities.

Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC)
Works to enhance economic and community development in distressed areas of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. Programs make investments in public water and wastewater services, transportation infrastructure, workforce development, outdoor recreation economy, childcare, and access to healthcare facilities, with a focus on rural communities in the region.

Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC)
Works to address poverty, strengthen economic growth, and build sustainable communities across the Southeastern region. The service area includes distressed counties in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, with a primary emphasis on rural communities.

Examples of Associations Funding Rural Community Health Programs

Examples of Foundations and Charitable Organizations Funding Rural Community Health Programs

See Foundations and Trusts Active in the Rural Health Public-Private Partnership for examples of national, regional, and state funders with an interest in rural health programs.

Rural Health Information Hub information specialists can conduct a custom funding search to find additional options. For more information, contact 800-270-1898 or info@ruralhealthinfo.org.

Resources to Learn More

Candid
Website
Collects information on U.S. philanthropies and organizes them into a searchable online database of foundation funding for a monthly access fee. Membership also includes weekly email bulletins and webinars on grant-seeking process.

Grants.gov
Website
Searchable database of federal grant offerings. Providers user information on how to find and apply for federal grants, grant policies and grant-making agencies.