Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for a Health Fund grant?
The Health Fund makes grants to nonprofit organizations, federally recognized Tribes, local units of government, and the State of Michigan. Applicants must be recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt organization, have a current certified financial audit or independently reviewed financial statements, and have at least one paid FTE (e.g., one full-time employee or two half-time employees). Organizations do not need to be based in Michigan, but all project activities must occur in Michigan. Always refer to specific RFPs for further requirements and guidelines.
What is excluded from funding?
The following are excluded from funding consideration:
- Health-related emergencies (though in some situations, the Health Fund might consider support to address longer-term rebuilding or other needs following emergency situations)
- Clinical research
- Tuition costs and related fees. You may include salaries or wages for students who will contribute to the project.
- Capital projects
- Loans
- Litigation
- Lobbying activities
- Organizations that discriminate based on age, race, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or gender
Please refer to specific RFPs for additional information on allowable costs.
Can I be notified when a grant opportunity comes up?
Yes! You can sign up for email communications at the bottom of our home page, and we’ll add you to our distribution list to receive an email whenever a new RFP is released.
Where can I learn more about past Health Fund grants and the projects they supported?
We’ve created a searchable grant database that provides details about every grant the Health Fund has made. You can also see how our grantmaking has impacted communities across the state by viewing our grant map. Note that some grants may reflect prior funding priorities, so it’s always important to review the current RFP for any program you’re interested in, to ensure our current priorities align with your project.
Do we need to submit a concept paper?
While not required for most grant programs, we strongly encourage you to submit a brief concept paper at any point during the year or during the designated time frame prior to your grant submission. Concept papers should be a maximum of two pages, including an abbreviated draft budget. Refer to specific RFPs for deadlines and the appropriate contact person for your concept paper. While we do not require you to adhere to a specific template or formatting requirements for the concept paper, each RFP will provide a list of information you must include. Please note, in 2025 we are requiring concept papers for applicants to our Community Health Impact and Capacity Building grant programs.
Health Fund staff are also available to meet to answer questions and discuss potential projects. Please email [email protected] or view our staff page to find contact information for program staff.
Is there a limit on the size of an organization’s budget?
No, there is not a limit on the size of an organization’s budget. However, an organization may not apply for a grant that is larger than 20% of its annual operating budget.
Can an organization submit several applications for different projects?
Yes! Organizations may submit multiple applications. However, it’s less likely that the Health Fund will make more than one grant per organization in a single grant cycle. If you have multiple project ideas, we recommend that you utilize the concept paper submission process; our program team will provide feedback to help you identify which project(s) would be most competitive. Note: for Community Health Impact and Capacity Building, organizations are required to submit a concept and be invited to apply.
How early can I start my project?
Grants awarded in May may begin as early as June 1.
Grants awarded in September may begin as early as October 1.
Grants awarded in November may begin as early as December 1.
If requesting funding for a two-year project, can we write a two-year work plan?
In the budget section under “Other Sources of Funding, should we indicate the fundraising and general funds that may be contributed by our organization?
Yes. If your organization will put any in-kind funds toward the project budget, please enter that information in the “Applicant In-Kind Contributions” field. Please enter the amount from external supporters (like other grants specific to the project) in the “Revenue from Other Sources” field. Matching funds are not required but are viewed favorably especially when the applicant is a health system, university, or a nonprofit with a significant operating budget.
Is there a required budget form?
You may use our sample budget template or your own, but it must be an excel or PDF file. Whichever format you choose should include a detailed budget as well as a budget narrative with a breakdown of costs within each budget category. Note that our application also includes a budget summary table for you to complete, so please ensure the totals in that summary table are clearly reflected in your budget documents.
What percentage of the project budget may be allocated toward indirect or administrative costs?
Beginning with the 2023 grant cycles, applicants with annual operating budgets under $10 million may request indirect costs of up to 30% of the total project budget. Applicants with annual operating budgets at or above $10 million may request indirect costs of up to 20% of the total project budget. Grants awarded prior to 2023 are subject to the indirect cost limits in the RFP for that grant round. If your subcontractor(s) or consultant(s) charge indirect costs, those costs count toward the indirect cost limit.
We consider overhead or indirect costs to include costs associated with a project that are not in direct service of the project, such as administrative support, general business expenses, rent and occupancy expenses, and utilities. Some examples:
- Administrative office functions: finance and accounting support, human resources, general IT services, and fundraising
- General business expenses: hardware, software, or equipment necessary for normal business operations; bank and credit card fees; and corporate insurance policies
- Subcontractor or consultant management fees, outside of the necessary costs to directly oversee or guide the subcontractor or consultant’s work on the project
If we submit the grant early and you have questions about content, are you permitted to tell us so that we can submit additional information that clarifies the answers to any questions you may have?
The RFP states that we must keep the total narrative section of the application within a specific number of pages. Does this include the supplemental attachments that are requested in the “Attachments” section of the application?
No. The page limit does not include the supplemental attachments such as the detailed budget, budget narrative, workplan, or any other required materials. Note: While the grantee portal does not limit the number of words, we request that applicants keep the total narrative within the page limit identified in the RFP. Generally, one page is equivalent to 500 words, assuming standard formatting such as 12-point font and one-inch margins.
Will you provide more information on fiduciary organizations?
The Health Fund allows nonprofit organizations to serve as a fiscal sponsor, or fiduciary, for other nonprofit organizations whose annual operating budgets limit the proposed project budget or who do not have the bandwidth or resources to administer a grant. Fiduciary organizations must submit the application, and if the grant is awarded, the Health Fund will issue the grant to the fiduciary organization. However, the organization using a fiduciary (sponsored organization) must provide a letter of commitment from an authorized signer, the organization’s tax ID/EIN, and contact information. Fiduciary organizations may apply for another grant in the same program.
If we've received grant funding from the Health Fund and apply again, do we need to resubmit the administrative documents, including audited/independently reviewed financial statements, current operating budget, etc.?
Yes.
If you have further questions after reading the FAQs, program descriptions, or specific RFPs, please contact us at [email protected].