HealthFirst for Clinton County Grant

HealthFirst of Clinton County is a multi-million-dollar fund administered by the Clinton County Foundation, established following the sale of Clinton Memorial Hospital in 2010. The fund evolved from the former CMH Foundation and has since awarded over $1 million to nonprofit organizations working to improve the health of residents in Clinton County, Ohio. Its grantmaking is guided by a Community Health Needs Assessment conducted by PRC, a nationally recognized healthcare consulting firm, with the most recent study completed in 2025. This assessment provides a data-driven understanding of local health needs and informs funding priorities and strategic decisions. The purpose of the HealthFirst grant program is to support projects that promote the health and wellness of individuals and communities within Clinton County. Funding is directed toward initiatives that improve health education, expand access to care, and enhance community-based health services. The program prioritizes efforts that address nutrition, disease prevention, emerging health concerns, and overall wellness. It also emphasizes innovative approaches to healthcare delivery, particularly those that reach underserved or at-risk populations through new methods or partnerships. Eligible applicants include Clinton County-based 501(c)(3) organizations, nonprofit entities, government agencies, and other tax-exempt organizations that serve residents of the county. Organizations that do not meet these criteria may still apply if they secure a qualified fiscal sponsor. All funded projects must directly benefit Clinton County residents and align with one or more of the program’s focus areas: education, innovation in community health, or promotion of community health. The program excludes funding for individuals, political or religious activities, debt reduction, and capital campaigns, among other restricted uses. Grant awards typically range from $2,500 to $25,000, although larger requests may be considered for projects demonstrating significant community impact. Funding may be used for programmatic activities such as outreach, screenings, wellness initiatives, and service delivery improvements. However, projects involving facility renovations, routine maintenance, or basic governmental functions are considered lower priority. Applicants are encouraged to propose collaborative efforts that involve multiple organizations and demonstrate systemic approaches to improving health equity and outcomes. The application process is conducted through an online grant portal managed by the Clinton County Foundation. Applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent during the designated submission window. Selected applicants are then invited to submit a full application. Supporting documents may include standard forms such as the HealthFirst LOI, application form, contract, and assessment tools. Applicants who have previously used the foundation’s portal may reuse their login credentials, while new users must create an account. The grant cycle operates on a semi-annual basis. For the upcoming cycle, the Letter of Intent submission window opens on June 1, 2026, and closes on July 15, 2026. Applicants will be notified by August 26, 2026, whether they are invited to submit a full application, which is due by October 5, 2026. Final award notifications are expected by mid-November 2026. This structured, multi փուլ process ensures that only competitive proposals advance to full review and that funding decisions align with community health priorities. For questions or assistance with the application process, applicants may contact Lynn Deatherage via email or phone. The Clinton County Foundation provides additional resources, including application templates and guidance documents, to support applicants throughout the process. Through its structured and data-informed approach, HealthFirst continues to play a critical role in advancing health outcomes and supporting impactful community initiatives in Clinton County.

Focus on innovative or pilot projects addressing unmet health needs; emphasize equity and underserved populations; demonstrate collaboration and partnerships; align with community health assessment priorities