Maine Health Access Foundation

The Maine Health Access Foundation is committed to a thorough and fair review of concept letters and applications. The Foundation has a strict and comprehensive conflict of interest policy regulating the participation of its staff, Trustees, Community Advisory members and external reviewers, in funding decisions. It also assures an impartial and rigorous process by including a range of qualified individuals in its grantmaking decisions.

The review process differs for each type of grant.

Initiative-based Grants
Initiative-based grants are generally based on a competitive RFP process to select projects for funding.

MeHAF is committed to an objective, thorough and fair review at all stages of the competitive RFP process, including concept letters and formal applications.  The Foundation has a strict and comprehensive conflict of interest policy regulating the participation of its staff, Trustees, Community Advisory Committee members, and external reviewers in the Foundation’s review process and funding recommendations.  This policy also assures an impartial and rigorous process by including several qualified individuals in funding decisions.

Each grant proposal seeking major funding through a competitive RFP is reviewed and scored by at least four independent persons, two external content experts and two MeHAF program staff.  MeHAF contracts with various state and national external reviewers when necessary to assure content expertise.   Review of full proposals, ranked by cumulative scores, are presented to the Foundation’s Grants Committee.  The Committee carefully reviews all scoring and written comments to develop a slate of recommended grants that are then forwarded to the Board of Trustees for final consideration.  After review and discussion, with careful attention to conflict of interest issues, the Board votes on the final slate of grantees.

Discretionary Grants
Proposals for discretionary grants and meeting support are reviewed by the MeHAF program staff and receive final consideration by the President and CEO.

Proposals for discretionary grants may be submitted at any time but the review process will take 4 - 6 weeks from the date the application is received by MeHAF.  Applications for meeting support are accepted on a quarterly basis.  Please see our Discretionary Grants page for more information.

Grantees are strongly encouraged to submit applications early. MeHAF cannot guarantee a decision on applications received by the Foundation less than thirty days prior to the start of the project.

Discretionary grant applications are evaluated on their connection to MeHAF's mission, target population and values. The application form addresses these issues, however, MeHAF staff may request additional information.

Foundation-initiated Grants
Foundation-initiated grant proposals may be submitted at any time, but submission is by invitation only.  The Foundation’s Grants Committee reviews the proposal and forwards a recommendation to the full Board for action.

MeHAF staff may request additional information, if necessary, and may be substantially involved in shaping the project. Decisions on Foundation-initiated Grants will generally be made within three to four months, depending on a number of variables.