Activation Fund

The Activation Fund provides support for discrete, one-year projects designed to help community organizations move to the next level of capacity and effectiveness.  This may involve one or more of the following:

GUIDELINES & APPLICATION PROCESS
Requests for Activation Fund grants are typically considered annually and the grant period is 12 months in duration, beginning July 1 and ending the following June 30.  The Health Foundation publicizes details related to available grant opportunities and deadlines for consideration each January.  Recipients of the 2024 Activation Fund grants were announced in July, and there are no open grant opportunities at this time.  Key dates will be updated on the Foundation’s website for each active grant cycle.  For a list of projects selected for funding in previous grant cycles, please click here. 

Organizations interested in applying for an Activation Fund grant are encouraged to download and carefully review the Activation Fund Guidelines and FAQ’s.  In general, grants are limited to a 12-month duration for projects that will not require ongoing fundraising efforts for continuation beyond the end of the grant period.  Request amounts should range between $60,000 – $125,000.  Examples of the types of funding requests considered include but are not limited to: one-time training or professional development opportunities; pilot programs or demonstration projects; program planning/initial implementation costs; and discrete capital projects/equipment or technology purchases.

Organizations should prioritize needs internally and submit only one request per grant cycle.  While there is no required waiting period between application submissions, the Foundation aims to support as many different organizations as possible; therefore, preference may be given to organizations that have not received Foundation funding within the last 12 months.

ACTIVATION FUND TIMELINE
While dates may vary slightly from year to year, the Activation Fund grant cycle generally follows this timeline:

March 1 Phase I materials due including Cover Sheet, Concept Paper & Board list
Mid-April Applicants notified of Board’s decisions to invite Phase II applications
Mid-May Phase II application materials due (by invitation)
Mid-late June  Applicants notified of the Board’s funding decisions
July 1-June 30 12-month Activation Fund grant period

STEPS TO APPLY 
The Activation Fund has a two-step application process.  At each phase, the required materials should be sent via email to [email protected] by the posted deadlines. 

Phase I:  Interested applicants are asked to submit a one-page concept paper outlining the proposed project and grant request amount along with the Phase I AF Cover Sheet linked below, which outlines key questions to be addressed in the concept paper and instructions for submission.  Organizations will be notified if invited to submit a Phase II application.

Phase I AF Concept Paper Cover Sheet

Phase II:  Invited applicants are asked to download and submit the Phase II AF Cover Sheet, Phase II AF Application Form and AF Project Budget Form below along with the attachments listed on the cover sheet.  Required financials include the IRS Form 990 or financial statements (audited, if available) for the most recent fiscal year.  Groups applying with a fiscal sponsor are asked to download and submit the Fiscal Sponsor Commitment Form with your other materials.  

Phase II AF Cover Sheet
Phase II AF Application Form
Phase II AF Application Guide
AF Project Budget Form

ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Applications are reviewed by Foundation staff and Directors and decisions are made by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.  Key factors for consideration may be downloaded below.

AF Key Factors for Consideration

Successful applicants typically possess these characteristics:

  • Strong staff and board leadership committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Representation of the population of focus in decision-making
  • Track record of sustainable operations (or a fiscal sponsor with financial stability)
  • Proven program effectiveness
  • Measurable goals and objectives

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ACTIVATION FUND
Jennie Blake, Vice President for Programs
Phone: (508) 438-0009 x 6
Email: [email protected]