The Health Trust, in accordance with our mission to lead the Silicon Valley community to advance wellness, annually awards up to $3 million in grants to organizations in our region that share our commitment to this mission.

In 2008 The Health Trust launched three strategic Initiatives to help realize this vision - Healthy Living, Healthy Aging, and Healthy Communities. These Initiatives are designed to make a positive impact across all of the levels of influence that affect health - from individual behaviors to broader environmental issues such as neighborhood conditions and public policies.

All grant requests submitted under each of our grant programs must be aligned with at least one of our three Initiatives. We encourage grant applicants to learn more about these Initiatives before submitting a Letter of Inquiry.

 

The following provides an overview of our Initiatives and their supporting strategies.  The Health Trust has identified in bold the strategies with grantmaking opportunities.

Healthy Living: People across the age span enjoy optimal health by eating well and engaging in physical activity.

• Community and School Gardens
• Health Elements in General Plans
• Organizational Wellness

 

Healthy Communities: All members of our community have the opportunity to attain their full health potential regardless of their social and economic circumstances.

• Health Care Linkages
• Chronic Disease Prevention and Management
• AIDS Services
• Oral Health Services and Fluoride
• Awareness and Advocacy for Health Equity
• Health Professions Diversity

 

Healthy Aging: Older adults spend more years in good health and are engaged as vital members of their communities.

• Physical Activity Opportunities
• Nutrition and Social Connection Programs
• Caregiver Support
• Hospital-to-Home Transition Support
• Community Engagement Opportunities
• Aging Services Collaborative

 

Grant Programs

Good Samaritan Grants
Good Samaritan Grants provide short-term funding for grassroots or volunteer-based health, prevention, and wellness activities. Grants generally provide seed funding for pilot or demonstration projects or special initiatives that will be completed within a year.  Applicants may request a minimum of $10,000 or a maximum of $50,000; however, most grants will be awarded at the $25,000 level. 

The deadline to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) for the Fall 2009 Good Samaritan Grants Cycle is 4:30 p.m. on Monday, August 3, 2009. Upon review of the LOIs, a limited number of applicants will be invited on September 7 to submit full proposals due on October 5.   Fall cycle grant awards will be announced in mid December 2009.  

Health Partnership Grants
Health Partnership Grants are made to non-profit organizations and public agencies for medically-related programs or projects.  Priority will be given to programs and projects that foster systems change, follow promising or best practices, aim for long-term improvements in community health and wellness and are innovative and cost-effective. An LOI should address how programs or projects will be sustainable beyond the grant period. Applicants may request multi-year funding and there is no specified minimum or maximum grant amount.  Programs or projects delivered by non-profit and public agencies will be funded by The Health Trust through a hospital sponsor designated by The Health Trust.

Letters of Inquiry (LOI) for Health Partnership Grants are accepted and reviewed on an on-going basis throughout the year.  Applicants will receive a response to their Letter of Inquiry within 60 days.  Programs and projects that fit our guidelines and current funding priorities will be invited to submit a full proposal.  It can take between three to five months to receive a grant decision.

Event Grants
The Health Trust has established a new category of grants ranging from $250 to $5,000 for events such as health fairs, sponsored walks, or community convenings that directly support our Initiatives.  Applicants must submit an event application form to The Health Trust at least 30 days prior to the event and can generally expect a response within two weeks. 

To be eligible for event funding, requests must meet the following criteria:

• The event must be a one-time or annual event that will be held at a location within THT’s service area (Santa Clara County or Northern San Benito Counties)
• There is no limit to the number of requests that an organization can submit; however, organizations can only receive a maximum of $5,000 for one or multiple events within the fiscal year (July 1 – June 30)
• Fundraising events are only eligible if they also have a goal to inform or educate the public about a health or wellness issue; in such cases, the focus of the event or a majority of its proceeds must support the goals or strategies of at least one of THT’s Initiatives
• Priority consideration will be given to new events or events that were not funded in the prior fiscal year

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ALL HEALTH TRUST GRANTS:

Eligibility

• Applicants must be nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations
• Services must directly benefit residents of Santa Clara County and/or Northern San Benito County
• Projects must be consistent with the Initiatives of the Health Trust

The Health Trust does not fund:

• Annual appeals or membership drives
• Capital campaigns, construction, or renovation of facilities
• Endowments
• Equipment purchases (unless determined to be an integral part of an eligible activity)
• Debt retirement or deficit reduction
• Grants to Individuals