Community Health Grant

Pisgah Health Foundation is a regional philanthropic organization focused on improving community health and wellbeing across Western North Carolina, specifically in Transylvania, Haywood, and Madison counties. The foundation operates with the understanding that health outcomes are shaped by a wide range of social, economic, and environmental factors, including housing stability, access to nutritious food, education, economic opportunity, and social connection. Through its strategic investment approach, the foundation aligns financial resources, partnerships, and shared learning to support long-term improvements in community conditions rather than short-term interventions alone. The primary purpose of the Pisgah Health Foundation Community Health Grant Cycle is to fund nonprofit organizations and initiatives that address the social determinants of health while strengthening nonprofit capacity and resilience. The foundation supports a broad spectrum of activities, including direct service programs, organizational capacity building, leadership development, and collaborative community-driven initiatives. In addition to traditional grantmaking, the foundation also engages in program-related investments to support structural solutions such as affordable housing and nonprofit infrastructure, although the grant cycle described here focuses specifically on grant funding. Funding under the Fall grant cycle is designed to be flexible and responsive to community needs. Eligible uses include project support, operational expenses, and capacity-building activities that enhance long-term sustainability. The foundation explicitly prioritizes efforts that demonstrate strong alignment with community wellbeing goals, collaboration among organizations, leadership strength, and a commitment to data, learning, and storytelling. However, funding is restricted from use in areas such as endowments, political activities, debt retirement, or projects completed prior to the funding period. Additional prohibitions include the use of funds for discriminatory practices or activities involving violence or illegal conduct. Eligibility for funding is limited to tax-exempt nonprofit organizations recognized under IRS sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2), as well as qualifying governmental units and certain public educational institutions without formal IRS determination letters. Organizations must be located in or serve the counties of Haywood, Madison, or Transylvania. The foundation emphasizes community-informed strategies and lived experience, suggesting that applicants should demonstrate strong ties to the populations they serve and an understanding of local needs. The application process for the 2026 grant cycle opens on July 1, 2026, and closes on August 17, 2026. Applicants are expected to submit proposals during this window, although specific application components are not detailed in the provided material. There is no indication of a required pre-application phase such as a letter of intent. The foundation encourages prospective applicants to reach out directly for guidance on fit and eligibility, indicating a supportive and collaborative application environment. Communication is facilitated through a dedicated grants email address. Evaluation of proposals is based on several key criteria, including alignment with social determinants of health, evidence of collaboration, organizational leadership capacity, commitment to learning and data use, and the potential for long-term community impact. While award notification timelines and performance periods are not explicitly stated, the structured annual cycle and clearly defined application window suggest a recurring funding opportunity. The foundation’s emphasis on partnership and alignment further indicates that successful applicants will likely demonstrate both organizational strength and the ability to work effectively within a broader ecosystem of community stakeholders.

Align proposal with social determinants of health, demonstrate collaboration, highlight leadership capacity, and emphasize long-term community impact