STAFF GRANTS
Investing in Responsive Health Equity Efforts
We recognize that the challenges of health disparities are ever-present and evolving. In response, our program officers practice responsive grantmaking by awarding discretionary grants to innovative organizations striving to close these health gaps.
These grants, which can reach up to $25,000, are designed for swift action, with the potential for approval within just one week.
Our staff discretionary grants are to maintain a proactive approach that allows us to quickly address the pressing needs of those organizations that are making efforts to improve the health in our communities.
ELIGIBILITY AND PROCESS
How to Apply for a Staff Discretionary Grant
The Foundation provides staff discretionary grants to organizations supporting efforts to address the social determinants of health throughout Cuyahoga County.
Applicants must be either an organization designated as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or a governmental unit or agency.
If your organization does not have this designation, you may use a fiscal sponsor – please notify Saint Luke’s staff if this is the case.
If you meet the above criteria, please follow the steps below to apply:
APPLICATIONS DEADLINE
Rolling Basis (No Deadline)
STEP ONE Schedule a Meeting with a Program Officer
Only after reviewing the above “Who Can Apply” section, learning about our funding strategies, contact us at grants@stlukesfdn.org to schedule a meeting in advance of submitting an application.
In the email, please provide details about your organization, the project for which you are seeking funding, and the requested amount. A Program Officer will reach out to you to schedule a meeting with you if they believe you are a good fit for our strategies.
If you are deemed a good fit, you will be given an access code to complete your application.
Contact UsSTEP TWO Prepare and Submit Your Grant Application
To access the grant application, please visit our online grant portal and Login here.
If this is your first time applying for a staff discretionary grant with the Foundation, you must create an account in our grant portal before completing your application. To create a new account, click on “Create New Account.”
If you need assistance with logging in, navigating the portal, entering the access code, or completing the application, watch our Grant Application Tutorial short video.
After submitting your application, please check your email for an email confirmation. If you do not receive a confirmation email or have any questions or concerns about the grant application, contact our grants staff at 216-431-8010.
Discretionary Grant Application QuestionsSTEP THREE Award Notification
Once you submit your application, we will follow up with you within 3 to 4 weeks.
STEP FOUR Complete Grant Agreement and Receive Payment
If your application is approved, you will be sent an email notifying you that an electronic grant agreement must be signed. Please log in to our online grants portal to submit this. Once that is submitted, you will receive your first check in a few weeks.
Here is a short video on navigating the portal to sign the agreement. Please submit the following ACH form and a voided check via email to be paid electronically.
Download ACH FormSTEP FIVE Complete Final Report
Final reports are an integral part of grantmaking at the Foundation. All staff and board will see your final report. Please make every effort to answer each question fully. Your follow-up reporting requirements will be listed in your online grants dashboard with their respective due dates.
A reminder email will be sent one month before the due date. Please be sure to submit your reports on time.
Download Discretionary Grant Final ReportSelection Criteria
How We Evaluate Your Proposal
We want to get to know you and your organization before you submit a proposal to the Foundation. The partnership with our grantees is as fundamental to our work as the passion we have for efforts that support our goals, strategies and priorities.
Your program officer at the Foundation will be your primary partner before, during and after the process of submitting a proposal, but decisions are made by a team and include board approval. Because we want depth to our partnership with you, there will be factors that are considered in evaluating a proposal that are less tangible than the criteria listed below. However, you may find it helpful to know the criteria we are universally reviewing the proposals submitted to the Foundation:
- Is your mission and work consistent with our vision, mission and health equity framework?
- Is the work of your organization aligned with our goals and objectives?
- Does your work fit within the specific priorities we have determined for the current year?
- Diversity of staff, board and leadership are important elements of organizational capacity that we will review as well as how you operationalize your organization’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Is your organization financially sound?
- What is your track record of success/progress?
- How significant is the need?
- What is the significance of the impact of this work? How many will be served and to what degree?
- Are the intended outcomes clear, realistic and measurable?
- Can support from the Saint Luke’s Foundation be leveraged?
- Are there appropriate partnerships in place to strengthen your ability to implement and sustain your work?
- Is beneficiary voice considered in program development, implementation and evaluation?
THE LATEST
Saint Luke’s Latest News & Updates
We and our strategy partners work together to close the health equity gaps. Stay informed about our latest initiatives, grantmaking news, and upcoming events, as well as the recent efforts of our strategy partners.