Community Health Improvement Grants

The Community Health Improvement Grants program is administered by CommonSpirit Health, a large nonprofit health system that operates hospitals across the United States. Through this initiative, fully owned hospitals allocate charitable funds annually to support community-based health improvement efforts. The program is designed to align with each hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment and implementation strategy, ensuring that funded projects directly address locally identified health priorities. By working with nonprofit partners, CommonSpirit Health seeks to advance health equity and strengthen service delivery systems within the communities it serves. The primary purpose of the grant program is to fund defined, time-bound projects that improve community health outcomes, particularly among underserved and vulnerable populations. Funding is provided as restricted charitable contributions, meaning that funds must be used specifically for the approved project activities. The program emphasizes addressing social determinants of health, prevention strategies, and coordinated care systems. Projects are expected to demonstrate measurable impact and align with one or more guiding principles such as reducing unmet health needs, building community capacity, and fostering collaboration across service providers. Funding is offered in two categories: small grants of up to 19500 dollars and standard grants ranging from 20000 to 150000 dollars. The exact funding range varies by participating hospital or cluster of hospitals, and these details are published prior to the application period. For standard grants, applicants must include at least two collaborating partner organizations with clearly defined roles. Funds may be distributed by the lead applicant to partners as part of the project budget, and applicants are responsible for managing and reporting on all expenditures. Certain cost limitations apply, including caps on equipment purchases and indirect costs, which cannot exceed 10 percent of the total request. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with 501c3 status or those working with a qualified fiscal sponsor that holds such status. Applicants must demonstrate alignment with the mission and values of CommonSpirit Health. Projects must take place within the service area of the participating hospital and must address needs identified in the most recent community health needs assessment. Eligible proposals must involve project durations between nine and twelve months, and they must serve community members broadly, not exclusively patients of CommonSpirit facilities. Ineligible uses of funds include capital projects, lobbying, political activities, general operating support, event sponsorships, and contracts for services. The application process is conducted entirely online through the CommonSpirit Health grant portal. Applicants are required to submit a complete proposal along with supporting documentation, including proof of nonprofit status and detailed project plans. The application materials include narrative responses, budgets, and descriptions of partnerships where applicable. While no formal pre-application step is required, applicants are encouraged to review hospital-specific priorities and community health reports before submitting proposals. Evaluation criteria focus on alignment with community needs, collaboration, feasibility, and potential for measurable impact. The application period for the cycle opens on July 20, 2026, and closes on September 18, 2026. Funding decisions are expected around January 20, 2027, followed by grant agreement execution and payment distribution in February and March 2027. The funded project period begins on April 1, 2027, and ends on March 31, 2028. Grantees are required to submit a mid-year report in November 2027 and a final report by May 12, 2028. The program operates on an annual cycle, allowing organizations to reapply in subsequent years, although similar projects are not funded for more than four consecutive cycles. For questions and technical assistance, applicants can contact the program via email at communitygrants@commonspirit.org. Additional support is provided through local grant leaders associated with each participating hospital. These contacts can help clarify community-specific priorities and application requirements. Overall, the program represents a structured and recurring funding opportunity aimed at improving health outcomes through collaborative, community-driven initiatives.

communitygrants@commonspirit.org