Food as Medicine Grant

The Elevance Health Foundation is a private philanthropic organization focused on improving health outcomes and strengthening communities across the United States. Acting as a catalyst for positive change, the Foundation invests in innovative and scalable programs that address physical, behavioral, and social determinants of health. Through a multi-year strategic approach, it prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate measurable impact, particularly among socially vulnerable and under-resourced populations. One of its central program areas is Food as Medicine, which emphasizes improving access to nutritious food and enhancing clinical outcomes for individuals with diet-related conditions. The purpose of the Food as Medicine grant program is to support nonprofit-led interventions that integrate nutrition into healthcare and community systems. The Foundation seeks to fund programs that both improve clinical health indicators for individuals with chronic or maternal health conditions and expand access to healthy foods for populations experiencing food or nutrition insecurity. Eligible initiatives may include medically tailored meals, food prescription programs, community-based nutrition access efforts, or other evidence-based strategies that address food-related health disparities. Funding under this program is flexible in amount, as the Foundation does not prescribe a fixed grant range. Instead, applicants are expected to request funding aligned with the scope and needs of their proposed program. Funds must be used for direct program implementation and may also support measurement, evaluation, and reporting activities. Grants are typically awarded for a period of one to three years, structured in 12-month increments. There is no stated matching requirement, and funding levels are determined based on factors such as program design, anticipated impact, and demonstrated need. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations that qualify as 501(c)(3) public charities under specific Internal Revenue Code subsections, including 170(b)(1)(A)(vi), 509(a)(2), and 509(a)(3). Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to track outcomes, define accountability measures, and implement programs with clear milestones. The Foundation encourages proposals that are culturally relevant, scalable, and capable of generating measurable outcomes. Priority consideration is given to programs that address whole-person health, build trust within communities, and respond to the unique needs of the populations served. The application process requires organizations to review the specific Request for Proposal document for the Food as Medicine focus area, complete the required application through the Foundation’s portal, and submit all requested materials by the stated deadline. Required components include detailed program descriptions, defined metrics for evaluation, and plans for reporting progress. Grantees are required to submit semi-annual reports demonstrating progress toward program-specific metrics, such as improvements in biometrics or reductions in food insecurity. Foundation has indicated that applications for the Food as Medicine focus area will be accepted again in 2027, suggesting a recurring but not strictly annual cycle. Applicants should monitor the Foundation’s website for updated timelines and future funding opportunities. Overall, the Elevance Health Foundation’s Food as Medicine program represents a strategic investment in addressing health inequities through nutrition-based interventions. By funding programs that integrate healthcare and food access, the Foundation aims to drive systemic improvements in health outcomes and support long-term, sustainable change in communities nationwide.

Focus on measurable outcomes, scalability, and culturally relevant programming that addresses whole-person health and food insecurity