Grant Funding for Programs that Advance Health Equity

Identifying and securing funding is essential to sustaining programs that advance health equity. The Funders of Rural Programs section in the Rural Community Health Toolkit gives an overview of potential funding agencies, associations, and organizations. Our Online Library also provides a list of active and inactive funding opportunities related to health disparities.

Many rural programs rely on grant funding from federal agencies, regional commissions and agencies, and philanthropic organizations to sustain programs that advance health equity. Some grant programs focus on a specific aspect of health equity, while others fund more general health equity programs.

Examples of Federal Agencies that Fund Rural Health Equity Programs

• The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy within the Health Resources and Services Administration funds rural programs across the country to improve access to quality healthcare services.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers many grant programs that advance health equity and address health disparities, including the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program. Rural grantees have focused on issues that include neighborhood infrastructure improvement, increased access to affordable and healthy food, and culturally tailored health services.
• The Office of Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides grant funding to support agencies working to eliminate health disparities among racial and ethnic minority populations, including tribes and tribal organizations.
• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds investments in rural affordable housing and housing quality initiatives, such as the Rural Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Program. The HUD website also maintains the HUD Exchange Rural Gateway, a clearinghouse of resources related to rural housing and economic development.
• The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Office of Rural Health (ORH) funds programs at local VA centers to improve rural veterans' access to care. The VA funds two types of programs: Rural Promising Practices and Enterprise-Wide Initiatives.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture is a key funder of community development initiatives in rural areas. For example:
  • The Rural Economic Area Partnership Program funds rural revitalization programs to foster rural economic activity.
  • The Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program provides grant funds and low-interest direct loans to develop essential community facilities in rural areas.
  • The Rural Utilities Service Water and Environmental Programs offer technical assistance and financing to develop drinking water and waste disposal systems.

Examples of Foundations and Nonprofit Organizations that Fund Rural Health Equity Programs

Many foundations and nonprofit organizations provide funding or other resources to help sustain rural programs that advance health equity. Some foundations focus on a specific aspect of health equity, while others broadly fund rural health and well-being programs. A Guide to Working with Rural Philanthropy provides an overview of rural philanthropy and strategies for establishing partnerships with philanthropies.

Examples of how foundations and nonprofit organizations are assisting with sustainability efforts include:

• Nonprofit hospitals are required to provide community benefits to address identified community needs, which includes health equity. In rural communities, Critical Access Hospitals may choose to fund community-building efforts to advance health equity as part of their required community benefits.
• Community foundations, which are public organizations that provide funds to specific geographic communities, are major supporters of rural health equity investments. Foundations such as the Maine Health Access Foundation, Georgia Health Initiative (formerly the Healthcare Georgia Foundation), Episcopal Health Foundation, the Black Belt Community Foundation, the Appalachian Community Fund, Northwest Health Foundation, Con Alma Health Foundation, Vitalyst Health Foundation, the California Endowment, and the Colorado Trust have a special interest in health equity.
• National and regional foundations and corporate philanthropies such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, the Cigna Foundation, and the Ford Family Foundation have a special interest in rural health equity.

Grant Funding and 501(c)(3) Status

Funders often require that applicants be a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status in order to be eligible for grants. However, funders may make exceptions for tribal, governmental, or civic organizations. When considering grant funding, it is important to review application requirements and determine eligibility to apply.

For more information on applying for grants, visit the Applying for Grants to Support Rural Health Projects topic guide.

Resources to Learn More

Foundations' Efforts to Improve Rural Health Care
Document
Provides examples of foundation-funded projects in rural communities addressing access to care, care delivery, and quality of care. Discusses rural philanthropy and identifies relevant publications.
Author(s): Prina, L. L.
Organization(s): Health Affairs, 36(11)
Date: 11/2017

How to Start a Nonprofit
Website
Provides a collection of resources for nonprofits focused on starting and maintaining a nonprofit. Covers fundraising, management, and accountability and includes links to each state association of nonprofits.
Organization(s): National Council of Nonprofits