Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF) is seeking applications for its Systems Improvement and Innovation Responsive Grants Program.
Donor Name: Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF)
State: Maine
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 12/14/2021
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $30,000, $25,000 to $50,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The Systems Improvement and Innovation Responsive Grants (SIIRG) program focuses on creating change that is responsive to community identified health needs at the system and organizational levels, with a major emphasis on ensuring that the community of focus has a meaningful and ongoing voice in shaping improvements and innovations that address their barriers to health equity. The program provides funding for organizations to improve health and access to care in four strategic priority areas: rural health, aging/older adults, behavioral health, and maternal and child health.
The SIIRG program was developed and established as a compliment to MeHAF’s Community Responsive Grants (CRG) program, launched in 2019. The CRG program supports projects that align with MeHAF’s goals and advance health equity, by funding community-led organizations responding to community-defined health needs. The CRG program grew out of the recognition that those closest to a given problem are often closest to the potential solutions. They also recognize that some community health services and access to care needs require action by systems and organizations – “the providers” of care.
MeHAF experience suggests that the most successful projects with the longest staying power after grant funding ends are those tailored to be responsive to community and cultural needs, focused on reducing inequities, and designed to leverage local resources, talents, and opportunities. Projects that propose simple replication of models and best practices without meaningful community participation may not be successful and are less likely to be funded.
Funding Information
Applicants may apply for a one-year planning grant of $10,000 to $30,000 or an implementation grant for up to two years at $25,000 to $50,000 per year.
Funding Guidelines
System Improvement and Innovation Responsive Grants program funding may not be used for:
- General operating support or “gap” funding;
- Direct care costs;
- Public awareness campaigns focused on a specific disease or health condition;
- Fundraising efforts;
- Capital expenditures;
- Academic or graduate research; or
- Grants or scholarships to individuals.
Eligibility Criteria
- An applicant for this grant must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; a local, state, or government entity; or an educational institution. All potential applicants should carefully review MeHAF’s organizational eligibility requirements for funding. If your organization is not eligible, consider looking for a fiscal sponsor – an organization that meets the eligibility criteria, is connected to your community, and has agreed to apply for and manage this funding to support your project. If you have not previously worked with a fiscal sponsor to apply for a MeHAF grant, please contact Charles Dwyer for guidance on the process prior to moving forward.
- Eligible organizations may submit only one application for a Systems Improvement and Innovation Responsive Grant (either a planning or implementation proposal). Current MeHAF grantees with grants under other programs are eligible to apply for a Systems Improvement and Innovation Responsive Grant. Separate administrative units of large organizations (e.g., different health centers within a larger FQHC organization) may each submit individual proposals.
Systems Innovation and Improvement Responsive Grant Program Criteria
- SIIRG proposals must meet the following criteria:
- Align with one or more of four MeHAF strategic priority areas:
- aging/older adults,
- behavioral health/substance use disorder,
- maternal and child health,
- and/or rural health.
- Respond to a community-defined health need or concern.
- Focus on changes at the system and organizational levels by addressing policies, practices and perceptions that create disproportionate barriers to health and access to care for some groups of people relative to others.
- Engage members of the community of focus (those who are facing a barrier to health that will be addressed by the proposed project) in meaningful ways over the course of project.
- Define what success will look like for the project and demonstrate that the key organizations involved, and the community of focus have a role (or will) in defining success.
For more information, visit Systems Improvement and Innovation Responsive Grants.
