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Rural Health Information Hub

Funders of Rural Programs

Ongoing funding is an important sustainability component for rural community health programs. A variety of government agencies, foundations, and organizations have funded community health programs and research. The organizations listed below are examples.

Federal Agencies

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 Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at NIH funds 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.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH funds research grants, career development awards, research training and fellowships, program project/center grants, and resource grants.

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.

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

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.

Associations

National Association of Counties
National Association of County and City Health Officials
National Association of Community Health Centers
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
National Rural Health Association

Foundations and Charitable Organizations

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.

Elevance Health Foundation
Areas served: National

Otto Bremer Foundation
Areas served: 80 communities located in Minnesota, North Dakota, and western Wisconsin

Grantmakers In Health

Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust
Area served: North Carolina

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation provides grants for projects in the United States and U.S. territories that advance their mission to improve the health and health care of all Americans.

Children’s Miracle Network
Areas served: Makes donations to local hospitals

Aetna Foundation

Annie E. Casey Foundation

Networks

3RNET, National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network

Kaiser Permanente
Across the state of California, Kaiser Permanente researches high-priority community health issues and addresses them through targeted program funding.

Resources to Learn More

Foundation Center
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.

Fundsnet Services
Website
This website has information about grants, fundraising, philanthropy, foundations, and non–profit organizations for those in need of funding and research.

A Profile of Foundations Created from Health Care Conversions
Document
Lists health foundations formed from transactions involving hospitals, health plans, or health systems.
Organization(s): Grantmakers in Health
Date: 6/2009

Grants.gov
Website
Use Grants.gov to find and apply for federal grants. The United States Department of Health and Human Services is the managing partner for Grants.gov.