Best Grants for Preschools

The Sally Beck Fund, managed by the El Pomar Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to equine rescue, care, and therapeutic riding. Grants aim to enhance equine welfare, particularly for those with 501(c)(3) status. However, funds cannot be allocated for capital improvements or staffing overhead. The application process occurs biannually, ensuring consistent support for these vital equine-related initiatives.

The Latham Foundation for the Promotion of Humane Education, established in 1918, emphasizes humane education to foster kindness and respect for all living beings. With a focus on innovative programs for teenagers and animal-assisted activities, the foundation invites U.S. organizations, particularly nonprofits, to apply for grants. However, funding does not extend to capital projects, salaries, or conference travel. Latham aims to instill core values that promote compassion within communities and across nations.

The Youth Philanthropy Grant Program, sponsored by The Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, invites nonprofits to apply for funding between $500 and $1,500 to support various community initiatives in Teton Valley, ID, or Alta, WY. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) entities and similar charities. The program encourages creativity in addressing local needs across arts, environment, education, and social services, providing a platform for youth involvement in philanthropy.

The Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Awards, offered by March of Dimes, support emerging researchers in maternal and child health. With a $150,000 grant over two years, the program prioritizes projects addressing preterm birth and health equity. Eligible applicants must be within four to nine years of completing their clinical training or terminal degree, holding a tenure-track position. This initiative aims to foster impactful research that enhances clinical treatments for serious maternal and newborn health conditions.

Strengthen Systems of Health

Goal 1: Strengthen systems of health by catalyzing health systems to be accessible, equitable, and deliver health not just health care.

Outcome 1: Resource allocation and system reform in the health sector reflect the goal of health, not just healthcare.

Strategy 1:Dollar & Sense- Support change in healthcare financing to incent investment in improving community health.

EHF desires to work with institutions that are willing to look at new ways of paying for improved health outcomes. We invite proposals that address innovative programs to pilot, transition, and scale approaches that change the way in which positive health outcomes are financially rewarded.

Examples of this kind of work include but are not limited to:

• Pay for Success initiatives: piloting models that incent spending on prevention by inviting private sector investors to bear up-front costs as well as risk of failure
• Value-based care contracts: supporting community-based clinics in undertaking contracts with payers that reward measurable improvement in health outcomes, as opposed to reimbursing for quantity of services delivered
• Incenting investment in social determinants of health: working with Texas Medicaid, local governments, and managed care organizations to align value-based payment program incentives and other payment structures with interventions that address social determinants of health
• Accountable Communities of Health: supporting the development of the ACH model within EHF’s service area that addresses the critical gap between clinical care and community services by systematically identifying and addressing the health-related social needs of patients through screening, referral and community navigation services.
• Clinic-centric organizational leadership and partnership development: implementing formal and informal network structures (Accountable Care Organizations (ACO), Independent Practice Associations (IPA), and Management Services Organizations (MCO)) to leverage emerging models of care delivery and reimbursement.
• Clinic financial and operational analysis, management, and strategy: building capacity to evaluate likely financial outcomes associated with at-risk financial compensation terms, engaging with MCOs to explore and define partnerships, including developing and implementing risk-based contracts, and establishing and managing performance-based incentives.

Strategy 2: Working Upstream- Support community-based clinics in addressing the social determinants of health.

EHF is interested in incenting clinics to target upstream factors that influence population health, beyond what the healthcare system has historically been able to address on its own. In the spirit of population health management, we envision grant investments that focus on equipping clinics to serve as the trusted community partner capable of connecting and addressing both medical and non-medical needs.

Social determinants are broadly defined as “the conditions in which people are born, grow, live work and age” and may include economic stability, neighborhood and physical environment, education, food, community and social context, and the healthcare system. Although it is known that the social determinants of health have a larger influence on health outcomes than healthcare alone, there are few structured ways for community-based clinics to identify and address non-medical social needs experienced by patients seen in a clinic setting.

EHF supports community-based clinics to collect, analyze, and act on data and information on the social determinants of health that impact their patients. Understanding that clinics may serve as the coordinator – and not necessarily provider – of necessary social services, we support collaborative approaches that place the clinic as the broker of these relationships with local partners. We also recognize that clinics are embedded in the fabric of their communities in unique ways and support clinics in providing leadership for community prevention efforts, especially those that integrate the community as a co-creator of the work. In proposing approaches that address social determinants of health, special attention should be paid to attaining organizational buy-in and internal culture change conducive for this work’s long-term success; this focus includes ensuring that social determinant efforts are financially sustainable.

EHF is particularly interested in innovative approaches to integrating medical and non-medical factors into clinical workflows and we are focused on proposals that move beyond just screening to closed-loop referrals to services that address social determinant needs. Examples of this clinic-based work include but are not limited to:

• Social determinants of health: developing and implementing systems and structures to assess, address, and refer to services for social determinant needs; this work may include providing and/or developing navigation services including service linkage and follow-up on referrals to external resources
• Community prevention: applying innovative practices to reduce rates of preventable illness and injury and better align resources to address the factors that shape health and safety outcomes; this work includes involvement of the community in the planning, development, and/or implementation of programs and strategies

EHF’s Community Centered Health Homes Initiative:

In service of this goal and strategy, we will continue our Community Centered Health Home (CCHH) initiative which provides clinics with coaching, technical assistance, a learning community, and grant funding to enable them to build leadership in the space of community prevention. In consultation with EHF, we invite current CCHH grantees to apply for continued support of this work.

Outcome 2: Low-income and vulnerable populations access comprehensive care in communities

Strategy 3: Comprehensive Clinics- Support community-based clinics to provide comprehensive services, continuity of care, inclusivity, and efficiency in delivery of care.

This strategy reflects our commitment to support clinics to provide the full spectrum of comprehensive primary care as a foundational step in moving toward healthcare which takes a broader, more holistic approach to health problems. To this end, we are committed to partnering with clinics in their journeys to become financially sustainable pillars of their communities, dedicated to improving the overall health of the community which they serve. EHF supports clinics in their work by funding financial, operational, and clinical capacity building to deliver care that is responsive to community needs, leverages the value produced by preventive care, and achieves positive health outcomes.

We define comprehensive community-based clinics as those that provide a full complement of services, including preventive care, primary care, oral health services, and behavioral health services (see the ‘Behavioral Health’ section below for more on EHF’s interest in this area as a key piece of comprehensive care). These clinics offer the full array of services including immunization and women’s reproductive health services, charge patients according to a sliding scale, participate in reimbursement systems, and seek out a variety of sources of funding for sustainability. Please see Expectations of Primary Care Providers under EHF’s General Grant Guidelines and Information.

EHF prioritizes building the capacity of community-based clinics in key infrastructure and care processes that will develop and/or enhance their delivery systems, embed care coordination and management, provide access to specialty care services, and support use of health information technology/data analytics. Elements of this work may require consultation with subject matter experts; we encourage clinics wishing to delve into this work to consider whether their request would benefit from inclusion of technical assistance and/or consulting resources. For additional information, please refer to “Use of Funds” at the end of this guidance.

Examples of this clinic-based work include but are not limited to:

• Access and continuity: increasing access to the primary care team through expanded hours or other alternatives to traditional office visits that help patients get the right care, at the right time, and in the right place; this includes ensuring access to a full range of contraceptive options for women across their reproductive years as well as timely prenatal care.
• Care management: improving individualized care, most often for high-risk, high-need patients, by practicing risk stratification, empanelment, and transition from acute to preventive care and by doing intensive case management where indicated for chronic disease management and serious mental illness.
• Comprehensiveness and coordination: strengthening a clinic’s ability to provide population health management by addressing their patient population’s medical, behavioral, and health-related social needs; this includes focusing on the depth and breadth of services offered including specialty care referral systems and networks in service to lower overall utilization and costs, reduce fragmented care, and achieve better health outcomes.
• Patient and family caregiver engagement: increasing patient engagement in the design and improvement of their own care and incorporating patient input to structure responsive services; this includes providing client-centered reproductive health counseling/
• Change management, practice transformation and clinical integration: strengthening the elements necessary for population health management, including practice operations transformation, patient empanelment, team-based care, optimizing staffing and budgeting for successful new delivery models, and developing and implementing health risk assessments (HRAs) to aid in patient risk stratification.
• Use of data and information: enhancing data analytics capabilities and infrastructure necessary to track client and service information to inform payment and service delivery model enhancements; this includes optimizing health information technology (HIT) to ensure interoperability, allowing for clinical decision support, using automation tools that facilitate case management, and analyzing claims data.
• Patient attribution and activation: integrating key data management processes and reporting functions necessary to successfully implement patient attribution and activation efforts; develop risk attribution methodologies to enhance empanelment of patients and for better care coordination and care management.
• Clinical care team transformation strategies: evolving the practice setting in order to implement new clinical management strategies, including high risk case management, emergency department/inpatient follow-up and/or creating and using disease/preventive care registries.

Behavioral Health

EHF is committed to community-based approaches that reconsider the traditional separation between primary care and behavioral health providers. We want to help communities take action to reduce the impact of mental illness and substance use disorders (SUD) and to collaborate to increase access to behavioral healthcare. This transformation will take time to fully realize, and we look forward to working with providers, partners, and communities that share our commitment.

We are especially interested in approaches that leverage and/or build the resources of community-based health clinics, recognizing the high rate of mental and physical health comorbidity.

Our priority in behavioral health is to support the expansion of integrated behavioral health services. To that end, we invite applications for funding necessary to plan and implement behavioral health integration that brings behavioral health services into a primary care setting, brings primary care services into a behavioral health setting, or brings SUD services into either a primary care or a mental health setting.

The SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Center for Integrated Health Solutions has developed a framework to help primary and behavioral healthcare provider organizations improve outcomes by helping them understand where they are on the integration continuum. Applicants interested in applying for this priority should review this website when developing their proposals, as they will be asked to rank their current level of integration according to SAMHSA’s framework in their application.

We are most interested in funding approaches that move beyond simply meeting unmet needs and are innovative in the ways in which they holistically assess and address patients’ health needs. In urban areas, our resources primarily support organizations devoted to fully integrated physical and behavioral health services. We encourage community-based clinics to think creatively about what they need to build capacity within their organizations to provide integrated care, and to develop a plan to achieve proficiency in these skills. We are most interested in helping organizations achieve the culture change necessary for seamless communication between providers – both in-person and electronically – in order to develop care plans that are responsive to a patient’s physical and behavioral health needs.

Strategy 4: Rural Health- Expand and strengthen community-based clinics in rural areas 

EHF understands that rural areas may lack basic preventive, primary, behavioral, and oral health services. This strategy is aimed at increasing the availability of these basic services to those living in smaller towns and rural areas. We seek to work with communities to help them optimize healthcare infrastructure, including communities that have depended on rural hospitals whose futures may be in jeopardy. EHF is particularly interested in work that leverages – and is connected to – the broader community and health system.

Examples of this work include but are not limited to:

• Offering technical assistance or operating support for rural health clinics to provide outpatient primary care services.
• Developing approaches to recruit and/or retain provider staff including nurse practitioners and other mid-level providers.
• Enhancing use of information technology and data analytics.
• Supporting other practices that improve the sustainability and function of rural health clinics.
• As noted above, our priority in the area of behavioral health is to support the expansion of integrated behavioral health services. In smaller towns and rural areas, EHF will support grants for behavioral health services in non-integrated settings because we recognize the relative lack of behavioral health services in these locations.

Examples of this work include but are not limited to:

• The provision of effective and efficient evidence-based behavioral health implemented in clinic settings.
• Forging new bonds between community-based organizations to locate behavioral health services in accessible settings.
• Changing a clinic’s administrative practices to offer services on evenings, weekends, and/or a walk-in basis.
• Technical assistance to allow for successful participation in payment reform efforts, including developing capacity in the six core areas defined under the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) requirements: staffing, availability and accessibility of services, care coordination, scope of service, quality and other reporting, and organizational authority, governance and accreditation.

Strategy 5: Health Coverage and Benefits: Improve health coverage for low income and  vulnerable populations.

EHF will fund clinics and community-based organizations to help low-income populations gain access to care through enrollment in health insurance and other health-related programs, including those offered by federal, state, and local governments. Funds will support dual approaches that expand health insurance coverage and improve enrollment of eligible beneficiaries, and advocacy efforts to increase health insurance coverage in Texas including the expansion of Medicaid.

EHF is particularly interested in:

• Proposals that use innovative approaches to track newly-enrolled beneficiaries through their first use of those benefits, most commonly through a visit with a medical provider or utilization of closed loop referral processes.
• Strategic partnerships that expand the enrollment ecosystem with key community partners such as schools, to find children and family members who could be eligible for health insurance coverage and other community benefits.
• Community engagement strategies to enhance consumer understanding of health benefits, identify health issues, develop local priorities and expand enrollment to new service areas such as rural communities.
• Innovative uses of strategic outreach, field navigators and partnership engagement specialists as part of the enrollment team to increase the ability to perform field enrollments and expand engagement to uninsured eligible individuals.

Organizations may also consider efforts that strengthen the enrollment eco-system by including advocacy supports that increase health insurance coverage in Texas, technical assistance supports that build the capacity of enrollment assisters, and efforts that maximize the impact and strengthen the work of enrollment-based coalitions.

The Community Collaborative Research Grant Program (CCRG), supported by North Carolina Sea Grant and the William R. Kenan Jr. Institute, aims to address coastal issues through collaborative research. Proposals should engage local knowledge experts alongside scientific leaders, focusing on themes like healthy ecosystems and sustainable fisheries. Projects that benefit rural and underserved communities are prioritized. Awards range from $5,000 to $25,000, with an emphasis on developing tools for resource management and enhancing community engagement.

The Community Foundation of West Alabama offers community grants aimed at supporting charitable initiatives in various sectors including arts, education, health, and social welfare. Established in 1999, the foundation prioritizes projects that address critical community needs and foster collaboration. Grants are available to 501(c)(3) organizations in specific Alabama counties, but do not fund individuals or religious purposes. The foundation prefers requests that demonstrate clear impact and sustainable financial planning.

The Futuro Latino Fund Grant, administered by the Omaha Community Foundation, empowers Latino communities in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area by funding initiatives that enhance cultural enrichment, socioeconomic well-being, and civic participation. With an annual budget of up to $150,000, the grant supports diverse projects focusing on arts, youth, health, and organizational capacity. Applications from organizations prioritizing Latino representation are encouraged, promoting sustainable practices and collaboration to effectively address community needs.

The African American Unity Fund Grant, managed by the Omaha Community Foundation, supports initiatives that benefit the African American community in Omaha. Funding prioritizes arts, basic human needs, community development, health, and capacity building. Collaboration among organizations is encouraged, and applicants must align with non-discrimination policies. There are no budget limits, and both new and previous applicants may apply. This initiative seeks impactful solutions tailored to the community's needs.

The Fund for Omaha Grant, managed by the Omaha Community Foundation, aims to strengthen local nonprofits by addressing funding gaps and enhancing community services. Priorities include economic opportunity, affordable housing, maternal health, and mental health support. Eligible applicants are public, tax-exempt organizations serving the Omaha area with annual budgets of $5 million or less. This initiative fosters connections and improves community well-being by providing essential resources and opportunities.

The Omaha Neighborhood Grants program empowers local residents to lead impactful projects in their neighborhoods. By fostering collaboration and providing training, it enhances community engagement and strengthens connections with the City of Omaha. The program supports neighborhood associations within city limits, encouraging shared priorities and leadership development. With no matching funds required, it aims to improve safety, beautification, and organization while ensuring that neighborhood voices are heard in municipal processes.

The Richard A. Shaw Fund Grant honors Richard A. Shaw's legacy by supporting nonprofit organizations focused on history, natural sciences, and outdoor education, as well as animal welfare initiatives, particularly equine therapy. Grants of up to $3,500 are available for public schools and qualifying nonprofits in the Omaha area. This fund aims to nurture an appreciation for history and nature in young minds, ensuring Richard's influence continues in the community.

The Creche Childhood Education Fund Grant, established by the Omaha Community Foundation, aims to support educational programming for children in the Omaha metro area. Grants, totaling about $25,000, are awarded to public 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services to underserved children up to 12 years old. Organizations can apply annually but are eligible to receive funds only once every three years. Notably, grant money cannot be used for operating expenses.

The Jetton Charitable Fund Grant aims to enhance youth cultural education in Omaha through performing and visual arts, and natural sciences. Grants of $20,000 and more support organizations with a minimum of 5 years as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, serving over 1,000 students annually. Eligible programs focus on broad community engagement and educational initiatives. Special considerations may extend funding to organizations in Lincoln and across Nebraska and Southwest Iowa, emphasizing programmatic support with some capacity building exceptions.

The LGBTQIA+ Equality Fund Grant supports initiatives that foster inclusion, respect, and understanding for LGBTQIA+ individuals in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area. Through collaboration with local organizations, this fund aims to empower diverse voices, enhance community visibility, and ensure equitable access to essential services. Focus areas include workforce training, accessible healthcare, and homelessness prevention. The grant prioritizes innovative programs that uplift the LGBTQIA2S+ community, promoting a strong network of support for all community members.

The Duke Endowment's Child and Family Well-Being Grant provides implementation support to public and private agencies in North and South Carolina. This funding aims to adopt and sustain evidence-based programs that prevent and treat child maltreatment. Eligible organizations must have two years of audited financial statements and work with accredited groups. The grant prioritizes innovative solutions and advocacy to improve child welfare systems, ensuring effective support for children and families at risk.

The Duke Endowment's Rural Church Grants aim to empower rural United Methodist Churches in North Carolina to effectively respond to changing community demographics. By providing resources and fostering collaboration among church leaders, the program enhances congregational capacity and community engagement. Key strategies include supporting pastoral leaders, reimagining church real estate for community use, and implementing impactful programs, especially for children. This initiative reflects a commitment to ensuring equitable opportunities across diverse rural populations.

The Colorado Resource for Emergency and Trauma Education (CREATE) Education Grants support organizations in enhancing the emergency medical and trauma systems in Colorado. Eligible applicants include urban and rural emergency medical service agencies focused on education and training of providers. The grant aims to ensure high-quality emergency services across the state, fostering improved care and response capabilities in both urban and rural settings.

The Eastern Panhandle CARE Fund offers healthcare grants aimed at enhancing health education, connecting communities to healthcare resources, and ensuring access to affordable, high-quality care. Managed by the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation, these grants support eligible nonprofit organizations in Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson counties. Emphasizing diversity and inclusion, the fund encourages innovative programs that address pressing healthcare needs across the region, fostering a healthier community for all.

The EWVCF Human Welfare Grant supports nonprofit organizations in Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties, West Virginia, providing essential assistance to vulnerable populations. Established by the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation in 1995, this grant aims to uplift sick, needy, and disadvantaged individuals by funding programs that promote equity and inclusion. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and civic groups, fostering a diverse range of community-focused initiatives.

The H-E-B Tournament of Champions Grant, established in 1986, supports organizations benefiting Special Olympics Texas and educational initiatives. Over 37 years, it has raised over $145 million, promoting health, arts, and social services in Texas. Eligible applicants must be valid 501(c)3 non-profits, focusing on specific areas like disaster relief and education, and located near H-E-B regions. This grant fosters community engagement and enhances the quality of life for many Texans.

The Women's Legacy Fund Grant, administered by the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation, supports 501(c)(3) organizations serving San Luis Obispo County. The grant focuses on empowering women and girls, addressing critical areas such as affordable housing, childcare, and healthcare. Eligible organizations must prioritize community impact and demonstrate strategies for dismantling disparities. With a commitment to inclusivity, this funding aims to enhance opportunities for underrepresented groups, fostering a more equitable society.

The Growing Together: An LGBTQ Fund Grant, established by the Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, aims to support 501(c)(3) organizations in the region. This fund focuses on enhancing programs for the LGBTQI community, particularly for queer and trans people of color, advancing healthcare for transgender individuals, and creating inclusive spaces in underserved areas. The initiative fosters community awareness and promotes philanthropy, reflecting a commitment to equality and support for marginalized groups.

The Community Focus Grant Program, supported by the Robert H. Janssen Foundation, aims to enhance youth enrichment and sports programs within San Luis Obispo County. This initiative, reflective of the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets, promotes community inclusivity and mentorship. Grants target nonprofit organizations, focusing on direct service costs to ensure access for all youth, regardless of income, while emphasizing active participation in enriching activities.

The Jefferson Health Care Foundation Fund aims to enhance healthcare and well-being for Jefferson County residents. With funding requests up to $100,000, projects focusing on major medical equipment purchases or capital improvements will be prioritized. The fund encourages innovation in addressing healthcare challenges, especially for low-income and underserved populations. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) charities and educational institutions, while proposals must directly benefit Jefferson County's health needs.

The Norris Area Community Foundation Grant, an affiliate of the East Tennessee Foundation, aims to address charitable needs in the Norris area. This grant prioritizes projects benefiting youth, military recognition, humane animal care, arts, community pathways, and senior support. Eligible applicants must have a local presence and demonstrate a significant community impact with a minimum funding match of 10%. Certain requests, such as individual grants and capital campaigns, are not funded.

The Washington County Community Foundation, a part of the East Tennessee Foundation, focuses on enhancing the quality of life for residents through innovative programs. They prioritize projects that promote life literacy among all age groups, from nutrition education to financial decision-making. Grants can reach up to $50,000, supporting initiatives that demonstrate significant community impact and sustainability beyond the funding period. Collaborative proposals involving multiple organizations are especially encouraged.