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Types of Grants
MeHAF provides funding through several vehicles, including initiative-based competitive requests for proposals (RFP), discretionary (small) grants, invited proposals, and technical assistance contracts. All of our grants must advance our mission of expanding access to health care in Maine, particularly for people who are uninsured and medically underserved. Currently, the Foundation offers:
Initiative-based Grants (major grants)
MeHAF periodically releases competitive grant solicitations or requests grant proposals for specific projects to advance the Foundation's strategic goals. Initiative-based grants may be made under any of MeHAF's goal areas. Proposals are solicited with specific guidance (usually a formal request for proposals or "RFP"), have a single due date, and are reviewed using scoring criteria developed for that initiative. External reviewers often help score applications. Funding may be for multiple years. Grantees may be asked to participate in learning collaboratives to share lessons learned, or in a planning group to coordinate efforts. Grant awards for planning efforts typically range betwen $10,000 - $50,000 per year, whereas implementation projects range between $50,000 to $150,000 per year.
The MeHAF Grants Committee reviews and approves RFPs and the slate of grants that are forwarded to the full Board for approval. Current examples of initiatives that employ this type of funding include Critical Access Hospitals Medication Safety Grants, the Integration Initiative, Medication Assistance, and the Medicaid Citizenship Verification Project.
Discretionary Grants (small grants)
MeHAF's Discretionary Grants support small, discrete projects or activities that advance the Foundation's mission. Examples include research and planning efforts, small pilot projects, surveys, policy studies, meeting and convening support, or minor equipment purchases. The maximum one-time award is $10,000 for a period no longer than one year. Awards are typically under $5,000 for most projects and under $2,000 for meeting and conference support. Discretionary grant applications may be submitted throughout the year. The application process includes a pre-application conversation with the designated program staff person followed by completion of a simple four question application form. MeHAF program staff review the applications and present recommendations to the CEO for final action.
Current examples of discretionary grants include a grant to Maine Equal Justice Partners to study the impact on Maine of changes to federal Medicaid regulations, and supporting the 2008 Summit on Cardiovascular Health, which focused on the Patient-Centered Medical Home.
Discretionary Grant applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year. If you are interested in applying, review the specific application criteria on the website, then call to discuss your project or idea with Morgan Floyd at (207) 620-8266, ext. 116. Foundation-initiated Grants (invited projects)
Important opportunities to advance MeHAF's mission are not necessarily predictable, nor do they always occur when a competitive major grant cycle is available. MeHAF may solicit or receive a request to support key strategic projects that offer unique, innovative and timely opportunities to advance the Foundation's strategic goals. Projects funded through this mechanism typically involve statewide activities with broad-based partnerships or multi-organization collaborations. Generally there is substantial involvement of Foundation staff in shaping of the project. Projects are funded with the goal of making system-level advances in access to health care and improvement in health for people in Maine, but in particular those who are uninsured and underserved. Grants in this category are generally large and multi-year. Concepts are presented to the Grants Committee for review and recommendation for ultimate Board approval. HealthInfoNet is an example of a Foundation-initiated grant.
If you are interested in this funding opportunity, review the information outlined on the website, then call to discuss your project or idea with Barbara Leonard at (207) 620-8266 , ext. 102.
Fund for the Future
MeHAF's Fund for the Future pilot focuses on improving the health of Maine people at a community level in ways that extend beyond direct health care delivery.
MeHAF views the Fund as a laboratory to seed new ideas, frame new approaches, and foster new relationships. A maximum of three community projects will be funded in 2009. It is anticipated that three additional community projects will be selected in a second round in the Fall of 2010.
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