Grant Funding for Programs That Address Social Determinants of Health

Identifying funding is crucial for sustaining rural programs that address social determinants of health (SDOH). To review a list of potential funding agencies, associations, and organizations for rural programs, see Funders of Rural Community Health Programs in the Rural Community Health Toolkit. Our Online Library also provides a list of funding opportunities related to SDOH.

Many rural SDOH programs rely on grant funding from federal agencies, regional commissions and agencies, and philanthropic organizations. Some grant programs focus on specific SDOH, such as transportation or housing, while others address multiple SDOH.

Examples of Federal Agencies That Fund Rural SDOH 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 grant programs that address SDOH. One example is the REACH program, through which rural grant recipients have supported efforts to improve neighborhood infrastructure, food access, and opportunities for physical activity.
• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds investments in rural affordable housing and housing quality initiatives, such as the Rural Capacity Building 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 Transportation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Education all provide funding for rural transportation systems. The Rural Transportation Toolkit describes specific federal grant programs that support rural communities, including the Federal Transit Administration's Formula Grants for Rural Areas — 5311.
• 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 & 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.
• The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Rural Health (ORH) has funded programs at local VA centers to improve rural veterans' access to care. These programs include Rural Mentored Implementation and Enterprise-Wide Initiatives.

Examples of Regional Commissions and Agencies That Fund Rural SDOH Programs

• The Appalachian Regional Commission offers funding to promote economic development, education, healthcare access, and physical infrastructure in distressed Appalachian communities.
• Area Health Education Centers help to train future and current rural health professionals, addressing the educational and access needs of rural communities. For example, the Alaska Center for Rural Health and Health Workforce offers K-12 pipeline programming in health career education.

Examples of Foundations and Nonprofit Organizations That Fund Rural SDOH Programs

Many foundations and nonprofit organizations provide funding or other resources to help sustain rural programs focusing on SDOH. Some foundations focus on a specific SDOH, such as education, while others broadly fund investments in rural health and well-being. For an overview of rural philanthropy and strategies for establishing partnerships with philanthropies, see A Guide to Working with Rural Philanthropy.

• Nonprofit hospitals are required to provide community benefits to address identified community needs, which include a range of SDOH. In rural communities, community benefits provided by Critical Access Hospitals can fund community building efforts to address SDOH.
• Health conversion foundations, which are formed from the conversion of a nonprofit hospital to a for-profit corporation, can also be important sources of SDOH funding for rural communities.
• Community foundations, which are public organizations that provide funds to specific geographic communities, are major supporters of rural SDOH investments.
• National and regional foundations, such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Helmsley Charitable Trust, the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, and the Ford Family Foundation, have a special interest in rural SDOH.