How to Apply

The CareSource Foundation funds programs that improve health outcomes and conditions for low-income, underserved populations in the communities where we live and work. We are especially interested in pilots and partnerships with local and national nonprofits that align with our areas of focus and foster learning and/or innovation.

The CareSource Foundation provides community grants:

  • Community Grants are responsive grants strategically aligned with our focus areas and have a direct impact on the local needs of the states we serve. These grants are awarded year-round for a one-year period by CareSource Foundation committees established in each market.

All grant applications must be made through our online grant application system. The foundation will not accept proposals via email or in any other format. Additional documents may be attached to the application in the online system.

ELIGIBILITY

To qualify for grant funding, organizations must be tax-exempt under the IRS Code Section 501(c)(3). The Foundation prefers to provide funding to an organization once in a 12-month period. This does not preclude you from applying for more than one program during a 12-month period, but receiving multiple grants during the same period is rare.

The Foundation primarily supports programs within the states CareSource does business. As CareSource’s footprint expands, we will consider requests from additional locations on a case-by-case basis.

Priority is given to organizations, collaboratives and initiatives that deploy innovative solutions. We select groups that address root problems rather than treats symptoms, engage the community voice in the solution and aim for meaningful improvements to health and wellness. In particular, we’re looking for organizations that:

  • Advance health equity by addressing systems and conditions that create inequities
  • Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusiveness in the funding, targeting and delivery of services to reduce health disparities
  • Foster communication, cooperation and collaborative partnerships
  • Systems change solutions that address root problems rather than treat symptoms
  • Target under-resourced communities including communities of color, culturally specific organizations, and rural communities that lack access to opportunities.
  • Demonstrate a high degree of organizational capacity and build programs and services that are sustainable

The CareSource Foundation funds:

  • Established programs
  • Multi-year research and pilot projects

Entities and requests ineligible to apply for funding include:

  • Individuals
  • Scholarship organizations
  • Organizations less than 3 years
  • For-profit organizations
  • Fraternal organizations
  • Sporting clubs
  • Organizations outside the U.S.
  • Political parties, campaigns or political candidates
  • Organizations and foundations that redistribute funds
  • General operating expenses for first-time grantees
  • Salary-only requests
  • Medical Research 
  • Churches, religious groups or sectarian organizations that only serve congregation members
  • Loans and lines of credit, unless specifically related to a Program Related Investment (PRI)
  • Deficits or debt reduction
  • Reimbursement for services or projects already completed
  • Organizations that discriminate against persons for reason of race, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation/identity, national origin or political orientation

APPLICATION TIMELINES

Grant requests are reviewed on an on-going basis. Applications are evaluated by Foundation staff prior to review by market-based Foundation Review Committees. 

Please note that even if your request is submitted within the timeframes above, missing information or documents may affect the staff’s ability to process your grant request.

Grants of $100,000 or more must be reviewed by the CareSource Foundation Board of Trustees. The board generally meets three times a year in the spring, summer and fall. Signature Grants can take up to 90 days to process. To better facilitate these requests, please allow adequate time for the Foundation staff to reach out and work closely with your organization. 

Application Process

Upon submission of a full application, the Foundation staff will review the grant for completeness and shepherd it through the Review Process. If any additional information is needed, applicants will be contacted by Foundation staff or through system-generated emails. “Requirements” can be found by logging into the online grant system.

For approved grants, the Foundation staff will work with the grantee on payment date and grant report timing that will be included in a Grant Agreement. Grant Agreements can be digitally signed and must be completed prior to any payments. To facilitate payments faster, applicants should include their ACH information in the online grant system. The Foundation staff will not ask for ACH information over email nor any other unsecure means of communication.

KEY APPLICATION ELEMENTS

Program Activities

Program activities should provide details about what will occur during the grant period. This includes activities planned, their frequency and duration, and participants or beneficiaries. A detailed description of each program component should highlight planned activities during a program year. That way, it provides context for assessing the program’s implementation at year-end.

 Outcomes

Before implementing a program, an organization should outline measurable short-term outcomes. This will demonstrate the change expected to occur as a result of the program activities. This type of information provides important benchmarks for determining if a program is creating the desired results that will lead to its ultimate goal.

Long-Term Impact

The long-term impact of a project is reflected in the cumulative or lasting changes it effects. Establishing tangible, long-term goals and identifying indicators of success helps to guide the direction of a program and provides a framework for assessing its effectiveness over time.

Application Documents

Before you apply, ensure you have the following documents:

  • IRS 501(c)3 determination letter
  • Current W-9 Form
  • Current Board of Directors list
  • Program budget for program period
  • Most recent audited financial statements. A 990 is acceptable only if an audit is unavailable and your gross revenue is less than $500,000
  • Organization’s operating financial statements (balance sheet and statement of activities) for current fiscal year (year-to-date and month-to-date) (Signature Grants Only)
  • Current annual report (Optional)

You can upload additional documentation you feel would support your request such as Program Evaluation examples.

GRANT REPORTS

Upon completion of the grant period, a final report that outlines program outcomes will be required. Deadlines for grant reports are discussed and agreed to prior to signing a Grant Agreement, but are generally due roughly 30 days after completion of the program. Depending on the grant amount and grant length, an interim report on any significant accomplishments or program changes may also be required. Final reports to the Foundation should compare and contrast the actual program activities, short-term outcomes, and long-term impact with the projections offered in the application. Grantees who have not completed a final grant report will not be eligible for future funding.

To see an example of our Grant Report, click here. (Coming Soon)

APPLICATIONS

The 2024 CareSource Foundation grantmaking cycle has closed. Our 2025 application will open in mid-January of 2025.