Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Applying for Grants to Support Rural Health Projects – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Applying for Grants to Support Rural Health Projects.

To Spark or Sustain? Two Equally Important Rural Funder Choices
Blog about rural philanthropy and suggestions for determining the best ways for communities to support local groups, including health services systems.
Author(s): Allen Smart
Date: 04/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Exponent Philanthropy
view details
The Lonely Rural Funder's Guide to Networking
Blog post examining the benefits of networking and encouraging rural funders to employ a type of creative thinking that is different from that used by urban philanthropic organizations. Includes ideas for promoting networking for rural healthcare institutions.
Author(s): Allen Smart
Date: 02/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Exponent Philanthropy
view details
Foundations' Efforts To Improve Rural Health Care
Highlights several rural-specific, foundation-funded projects that are working to address challenges associated with rural health and healthcare. Includes examples in the following problem areas: access, care delivery, publications, quality of care, and rural philanthropy.
Citation: Health Affairs, 36(11), 2023-2025
Date: 11/2017
Type: Document
view details
Foundation Grants to Rural Areas from 2005 to 2010: Trends and Patterns
Describes trends in foundation grant funding provided to benefit rural communities, how funds are allocated, what types of foundations fund rural projects, and how grants are distributed geographically. Includes grants to rural-based organizations and to urban organizations for work primarily benefiting rural areas. Provides information on funding for rural health, as well as topics that impact health, such as food and nutrition. Discusses factors that may impact the capacity of rural communities to secure grant funding.
Author(s): John L. Pender
Date: 06/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
view details
Federal Grant Writing Manual
Assists grant applicants in writing federal grant proposals. Provides information on the different components of a grant application, including how to develop the goals and objectives, budget, work plan, project sustainability, and evaluation.
Date: 04/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Resource Center, Technical Assistance and Services Center
view details
Primer for Rural Health Network Memorandum of Agreement/Understanding
Defines and explains how to develop a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)/Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as a formal business document to be used when creating a network of two or more separate groups or organizations.
Date: 2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
view details
The Dynamics of Sustainability: A Primer for Rural Health Organizations
Provides information and case studies on sustainability for rural organizations that are starting new programs. The case studies were identified from a study of rural health organizations that received funding from the Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP).
Date: 02/2012
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
view details
Sustainability Framework
Identifies components contributing to programmatic and organizational sustainability.
Date: 2011
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Health Policy Center
view details
Rural Philanthropy: Building Dialogue from Within
Examines the disparity in giving between urban and rural nonprofits, and how geographical isolation and capacity-building needs greatly reduce the ability for rural nonprofits to secure funding. Offers substantive recommendations on ways to make philanthropy more responsive to rural America.
Author(s): Rachael Swierzewski
Date: 08/2007
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
view details
BEAD Broadband Funding Guide
Offers resources for Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program applicants. Includes an interactive broadband service map for assessment and planning at the census block level and resources explaining the various requirements for BEAD applications.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Center on Rural Innovation
view details

Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:


Last Updated: 4/1/2024