What are the Foundation’s goals?
Partners for Health invests in programs, policies and organizations that lead to healthy communities and increased opportunities to thrive. We know that everyone prospers when the needs of those who experience health inequities are recognized and supported. Through partnering with community organizations, we strive to advance health equity through learning, grantmaking and advocacy. Through partnering with community organizations, we strive to advance health equity through:
- Engaging in learning and relationship building activities
- Providing funding opportunities for eligible organizations that meet specific criteria
- And partnering with local municipalities, the State of New Jersey, and community agencies to advocate for and leverage resources toward furthering the foundation’s policy agenda
Who is eligible to apply for funding from Partners for Health Foundation?
Partners for Health awards grants to not-for-profit organizations and initiatives that address health equity within our service area through health, income, housing, food, transportation, and other things that impact health (i.e., social determinants of health). Eligible organizations must meet all of the following requirements.
- Not-for-Profit Organization: Eligible organizations are recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or local government entities (including school systems). Alternatively, they can have a Fiscal Sponsor that is a 501(c)(3).
- Foundation Values: Eligible organizations provide services in ways that share and demonstrate Partners for Health Foundation’s values:
- addressing health equity,
- using a systems-perspective or social determinant of health lens to inform the work,
- engaging the community in the planning and delivery of services, and
- using data and information to inform their work.
- Geographic Location: Eligible organizations provide direct service to one or more of the following 15 communities:
What types of grants are available?
Partners for Health uses an online grants management system to administer our grant programs. Within the system, eligible organizations may submit applications for Capacity Building, General Operating, or Project grants.
- Capacity Building Grants
- To support skill building, educational opportunities for organizations and organization staff, and movements, regardless of the age of the organization
- General Operating Grants
- To support the day-to-day activities and general expenses of organizations.
- These may be single or multi-year grant requests.
- Project Grants
- To support specific initiatives, projects, and particularly joint efforts between organizations that are provided to community members or communities.
Can my organization apply for more than one grant at a time?
Organizations that meet our eligibility criteria may only receive one grant per funding cycle. We will only consider one application per organization at a time, and ask that you do not submit more than one application in any given grant cycle.
What makes a successful grant application?
A successful proposal should demonstrate that your organization has a clear understanding of the need within your community and a strong programmatic response. Partners for Health staff and Trustees use established criteria to review all applications and ensure they are aligned with these core components of the Foundation’s values:
- focused on health equity
- working to improve how services are provided, based on feedback from constituents served (i.e., viewing issues at their source through a systems-perspective or social determinants of health)
- collaborate with others to strengthen service provision, alleviate gaps in services, and leverage dollar and other resources
- data driven (i.e., how will you know that your constituents are benefitting from your work?)
The review criteria may include the following items:
| General Operating Grants | Project Grants | Capacity Building Grants |
Organizational alignment with core components of Partners for Health values through the organization’s: vision and mission, staff, trustees, programs and services, accomplishments and challenges, and goals and outcomes. | Organization’s vision and mission are aligned with core components of Partners for Health values. | Organizational alignment with core components of Partners for Health values through the organization’s: vision and mission, staff, trustees, programs and services, accomplishments and challenges, and goals and outcomes. |
Organization leadership consists of at least one individual who is representative of the community being served. | Organization leadership consists of at least one individual who is representative of the community being served. | Organization leadership consists of at least one individual who is representative of the community being served. |
Organization has a demonstrated track record of success and/or has goals that reflect the community’s input on what needs to change so that everyone can thrive. | Project is aligned with core components of Partners for Health values. | |
| Organization has plans for financial sustainability. | Project activities and timeline will likely lead to the anticipated outcomes, and project budget aligns with the scope of work outlined. |
Who are you thinking of when you ask “Does your leadership composition reflect the communities that you seek to serve?”
Organization leadership consists of at least one individual who is representative of the community being served.
How does the Foundation determine which nonprofit organizations to support?
For all types of grants, applicants follow the same process. This process includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.
- Applicants complete a pre-application survey through the website. Applicants that are invited to submit an application will be directed to the appropriate application through Foundant. Applicants are welcome to reach out to us while completing the application if they have any questions.
- Note: A Letter of Intent (LOI) is not required.
- When an application is received, a Partners for Health staff member will review it for completeness, and contact the applicant to request any missing information.
- The application will then be reviewed by the Foundation’s Grants Committee. If an application is approved by the Grants Committee, it will be presented to the Foundation Board for final approval.
- If an application is rejected, you will receive a letter that may include details of the reasons why your request was not approved, and/or ways to improve this or other applications for the future.