Community Collaboration Grants

The Community Collaboration Grants program is administered by Being for Others (BFO), a regional philanthropic organization focused on advancing health and wellness through strategic, community-centered investments. Through its 6-3-9 Strategic Plan, BFO seeks to catalyze long-term, systems-level change by supporting collaborative efforts that address complex social determinants of health. This program reflects BFO’s commitment to funding partnerships that bring together diverse stakeholders to collectively assess needs, align priorities, and implement coordinated solutions within its service region. The purpose of the Community Collaboration Grants program is to support multi-sector partnerships in exploring and addressing shared community challenges. These collaborations are expected to engage representatives from sectors such as nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, local governments, educational institutions, and businesses. Each funded collaboration must align with at least one of BFO’s grant priority pillars and operate within at least one county in the BFO service region in Indiana. The program emphasizes systemic change, encouraging applicants to propose initiatives that influence policies, practices, or community conditions that impact health and wellness outcomes. Funding is structured as a three-year commitment with a total award of up to 250000 dollars per collaboration. The funding is distributed incrementally, with 50000 dollars allocated in Year 1 for facilitation or early implementation, up to 125000 dollars in Year 2 for implementation activities, and up to 75000 dollars in Year 3 for continued implementation. BFO also serves as a strategic partner throughout the process, providing oversight, guidance, and support to ensure that collaborations remain aligned with intended goals and measurable outcomes. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, and schools that serve residents within the designated Indiana service region. Projects must not duplicate or compete with services offered by Deaconess Memorial Medical Center. Collaborations must demonstrate readiness by including committed partners, evidence of community engagement, and a data-driven approach to identifying and addressing community needs. Applicants are expected to commit to shared metrics, transparent evaluation processes, and leveraging additional funding sources to sustain impact beyond the grant period. The application process begins with the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI), which requires detailed organizational and collaboration information, including the proposed challenge, supporting data, partner roles, and alignment with a BFO pillar. The LOI must be submitted via email, after which selected applicants are invited to submit a full application through BFO’s grant portal. Finalists are required to present their proposals in person to a review committee. The LOI form includes sections on organizational background, collaboration overview, partner readiness, preliminary budget, and a summary statement of intended impact. The 2026 application timeline includes an LOI deadline of February 27, followed by an invitation-only application period from March 9 to April 2. Finalist presentations occur between April 21 and May 1, with award notifications issued in June 2026. Applications are reviewed by the BFO Grants Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The program operates on a spring cycle and is expected to recur annually as part of BFO’s strategic funding commitments through 2030. Applicants are encouraged to review BFO’s grant priority pillars and Social Determinants of Health framework prior to applying. For assistance or clarification, BFO provides direct support via email and phone, helping potential applicants refine their concepts and determine alignment with funding priorities. Required submission materials include the completed LOI form and supporting documentation such as IRS Form 990 for nonprofits, community needs assessments if available, and any relevant data supporting the proposed collaboration.

Ensure strong multi-sector partnerships and clearly demonstrate data-driven need; align tightly with one BFO pillar; emphasize systems-level impact and measurable outcomes; show readiness and committed partners