Overview
The goal of this Community Grant area is to promote health equity in Marin County.
Because of social, economic, and political inequities that exist in Marin, low-income residents and people of color are more likely to struggle with poor health than their higher-income/white counterparts. MCF is committed to addressing these inequities by ensuring access to health services and supporting upstream efforts to change environments that impact health outcomes. The Foundation works from the premise that individuals with access to quality, affordable, and culturally appropriate health services are more likely to lead healthier lives. We also recognize that health starts long before one needs medical care. Health is impacted be the social and environmental context in which we live, work, learn, and play. To that end, we support systemic change efforts that increase opportunities for individuals and families to make choices that allow them to live long, healthy lives, regardless of their income, education, and/or ethnic/racial background.
Note: The term “health equity” is used by the Marin Community Foundation as a way to describe the absence of significant differences in health and well-being among different groups based on socio-economic status, race/ethnicity, gender, and/or immigration status.
A logic model for this strategy has been developed that further explains the approaches, activities, and desired impact of this goal area.
Under this goal, MCF will support projects that are aligned with the strategy and approaches described below.
Grants, Results, and More
Click here to learn about grants made under this goal area, along with results, an impact story, and background about this issue.
Strategy: Improve the health of underserved residents
Approach A: Provide health insurance for children
Note: Only invited applicants will be able to apply for grants under this approach.
Approach B: Strengthen the delivery of health services
There are two complementary grantmaking priorities embedded in Approach B: (1) the provision of direct health services to meet the needs of uninsured, low-income, people of color and/or traditionally underserved populations; and (2) community clinic capacity-building projects. Applicants may apply for both or either of the grantmaking priorities under Approach B, using a single application process.
MCF is interested in supporting direct health services that meet the following criteria:
- The health service is provided by a licensed provider
- The health service is provided in coordination with the patient’s other healthcare providers
- The patient benefitting from the health service does not have a third-party payor source (i.e., the care is uncompensated)
The health service provided may be medical care, specialty care, integrated behavioral health care, dental care, or case management. Outreach and health education are not considered health services.
Direct service grant amounts will be determined based on the amount of health services provided to underserved residents, the organization’s size, and the percent of uncompensated care provided.
Community clinic capacity-building projects will be considered when the aim of the project is to directly improve the fiscal health and/or clinical operation of a licensed community clinic. Community clinic capacity-building projects will be considered when the aim of the project is to directly improve the fiscal health and/or clinical operation of a licensed community clinic.
MCF is committed to helping community clinics position themselves to successfully navigate the anticipated changes anticipated under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Special consideration will be given to projects that aim to build the capacity of licensed community clinics to identify and adequately address health disparities in Marin County. Organizations and collaboratives that are not licensed community clinics may apply for funds under this approach if the proposed project will directly strengthen a community clinic’s fiscal and/or operational capacities.
Approach C: Address the social determinants of health
This approach focuses on improving the broader context in which people live, work, learn, and play so that everyone has an opportunity to make choices that allow them to live a long, healthy life regardless of their income, education, and/or racial/ethnic background. When social determinants are successfully addressed, health disparities experienced by particular communities are reduced or eliminated, and the opportunity for health is pervasive across the entire population. Improving the health of the entire community often requires public policy change that positively impacts living and working conditions as well as economic and social opportunities and resources.
Nonprofit organizations may apply for support to engage in efforts that deepen our understanding of community health and health disparities. Community, neighborhood, or geographically-focused research projects that assess the role of poverty, housing, education, transportation, healthy food, physical activity, and/or other community factors are strongly encouraged. Proposed research projects should contribute to the development and/or implementation of public and/or school policies aimed at addressing social, economic, and/or political factors that contribute to the community’s health. The proposed assessments should include leadership, input, and direction from the community.
In addition to thorough community/neighborhood assessments, MCF is interested in supporting the development, advocacy, and implementation of policies and/or practices that impact the health of a low-income community or community of color. Projects that propose building infrastructure to improve the social conditions, economic opportunities, and/or physical environments in which people live, work, learn, and play will also be considered (e.g., infrastructure and technology for farmers to accept food stamps at the farmers market).
Collaborations that aim to advocate for specific changes to policies or practices that ultimately impact the health of low-income communities and communities of color will also be considered.
Special consideration will be given to efforts aimed at transforming environments, reducing structural barriers, and increasing opportunities for low-income communities and communities of color to access fresh, locally grown food.
Projects that aim to impact individual knowledge and/or behaviors (i.e., direct service projects) will not be considered for funding under Approach C. Grant funds are to be used to specifically change systems, policies, practices and/or address structural issues that will impact an entire community.
To support Approach C, MCF has published a report about influencing public policies to increase the availability of affordable healthy food. Click on the icon to the right to download a copy.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for funding under Approach B or C, organizations must have a nonprofit tax-exempt status or a fiscal sponsor with a nonprofit tax exempt status. In addition, applicants must serve Marin County residents.
Grant term and requirements:
If awarded a grant, the twelve-month grant term will be November 1, 2012 - October 31, 2013. Six-month and final reports will be required through the Foundation’s online Grant Evaluation Center. A formal assessment of patient satisfaction of the health services provided will be required of grantees funded to provide direct health services.
Process:
Register with the Grant Application Center starting June 1, 2012. This system enables you to complete and submit all application materials online. If you have already registered with the Grant Application Center, you do not need to do so again.
Once you have registered, please complete and submit a Letter of Intent, even if you have received funding from MCF in the past for this kind of work. Be sure to complete the appropriate application(s), since there are two separate applications--one for Approach B and one for Approach C. To be considered for funding under both approaches, applicants must complete both online applications.
Approach A is not currently using a competitive grant process.
Open Registration Date: June 4, 2012
Deadline for Full Proposal: August 3, 2012
