Q: What is Empire Health Foundation's approach to grantmaking?

Please see our Grants/Program description on our website on the tabs above.  The foundation takes multiple approaches to grant making.

Q:  Who may apply for grant funding?

Grant recipients must be:

• Located or primarily operating within the seven counties of service
• A non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization or equivalent (such as a tribe), a qualifying public entity
• Applying for a project or program related to the Foundation’s areas of focus

Q:  How does our organization apply for funding? 

The process is different for each of our programs.  Please click here for additional information.  

Q:  What types of organizations will EHF support with grants and for what purposes?

The Foundation will invest in ideas and organizations that improve access, health education, wellness, research and public policy to result in a measurably healthier region. Please see the individual program guidelines for specific information.

Q:  If my organization is a registered 501(c)(6) can we still apply?

Empire Health Foundation will be accepting grant requests from registered 501(c)(6) corporations. The Foundation will, however, be analyzing each corporation's request in relationship to the additional administrative work required by the IRS for such funding. After such analysis is completed, the Foundation will confirm or deny the request with explanations provided.

Q:  What criteria will be used to evaluate applications for the Responsive Grants Program?

Information requested in the grant application will focus on helping us learn how:

• Your mission aligns with the Foundation mission
• Your proposal addresses the community’s greatest health needs and disparities
• The strategies used to achieve the mission are measurably effective
• The organization has the capacity to be successful and sustainable

The Foundation Board of Directors and staff work together to evaluate all applicants.

Q:  We received funding in your last Responsive Grants Program cycle. Are we eligible to apply again in the next grant cycle?

While we welcome the opportunity to review new grant proposals from the same organization, we ask that previously funded grantees do not request funding for the same program in the grant cycle immediately following the one in which they were funded. 

For example, if you applied for funding in Winter 2010 (Cycle #2) for a specific program and you received funding for that program, we ask that you do not apply for funding in Spring 2011 (Cycle #3), for that same program. 

You are welcome, however, to apply for funding toward a different program or general operating support for your organization.

Q:  How much in grant funding should our organization request?

Grants vary significantly according to the program. For our Responsive Grants program (open twice a year for urgent needs) the grants range from $500 to a maximum of $15,000. Please see our Grants/Programs tab above for more information regarding the other program grant levels.

Q:  May our organization apply for more than one grant / program?

Yes, there is no limit to the number of proposals you submit to the Responsive Grants Program.  Other programs will have different requirements, however it is likely that grantees could receive grants from multiple EHF programs.  We recommend that your staff think tacticallly about how many and which grant proposals to submit.

Q:  What if I need help with the application or would like guidance prior to submitting our application?

Please contact us regarding our grant-making program by clicking on "Contact Us" to connect with us by phone or email.  Staff is here to help your organization in any way and strongly encourage any and all questions.