Caring Community Grants

Who is eligible to apply for a grant?

Any 501c3 nonprofit organization or government agency that serves District residents may apply. Funds can only be used for services that directly impact the health of people who reside in our service area. Organizations/programs that serve both SHD residents and non-district residents will be awarded funding based on the percentage of SHD residents to be served by the program.

May an organization apply for more than one grant and receive more than one grant?

An organization can apply for up to three grants and may be funded for as many as two grants. Each application must be for a separate program with a maximum of $200,000 per grant. Please also note that we will not provide more than $400,000 to any one organization per year through the grants program.

How much total money is available for the Caring Community grant cycle?

The District has set aside $3.75 million for this cycle. The maximum grant will be $200,000 per grant, per year.

Can the district fund an organization that is located outside of District boundaries?

Yes, if those services are not available within SHD and our residents must travel to those organizations to access services.

May we partner with other organizations to submit a joint application?

The District welcomes collaborative applications, especially if the proposed collaboration will maximize benefits and reduce costs.

How much of our grant may be used for general administration or overhead expenses?

The District restricts these expenses to no more than 15 percent of your grant.

What are the District’s priority funding areas?

For this cycle’s preferred priority outcome areas, please see attached page. Please note that the District occasionally approves grants outside the priority areas but these are an exception and such grants are rare.

Are all grants annual or may we ask for a multi-year funding?

An organization can apply for up to three grants and may be funded for as many as two grants. Each application must be for a separate program with a maximum of $200,000 per grant. Please also note that we will not provide more than $400,000 to any one organization per year through the grants program. In 2022, the Board approved the transition from 1-year Caring Community grants to 2-year grants over the next 2 years. The Caring Community grants are now split into two 2-year cohorts: Returning grantees which fall under the categories of ATOD, Clinical, and Behavioral Services are slated in the 2022-24 grant cycle, while grantees which fall under the categories of Food/Nutrition, Health: Youth and Adults, and Health: Seniors are slated in the 2023-25 grant cycle. New grantees are eligible for a 1-year grant.

Are there programs or projects the grant will not support?

The District will not provide a grant for the following: capital equipment, building or construction, vehicles, program services that take place in a school setting, nursing education, primary medical or dental services in a community clinic setting, or health insurance coverage, as many of these supports are funded through other District initiatives. The District also will not fund any program that discriminates against any resident due to race, religion, age, gender, sexual preference or any other similar status.

When will we be notified if we are to receive a grant and for how much?

The grants committee will make a decision in late April or early May to determine funding recommendations and you will receive notification at that time. The recommendation will either be for full funding, partial funding or no funding. The recommendation goes to the District Board for final approval which is expected to occur at our June Board meeting, which you may attend. Our regular Board meetings are open to the public.