Funding Priorities

The Rutgers Community Health Foundation seeks to support innovative approaches to prevention and education, as well as treatment and rehabilitation. Its program focuses on the unmet needs of the groups that are disadvantaged by economic, social, medical, or environmental circumstances. Priority is given to organizations that serve the people of greater New Brunswick area, but applications for projects that also serve surrounding central New Jersey communities will also be considered.

 FUNDING CRITERIA AND TYPES OF SUPPORT
Applications may be submitted for Program Support or General Operating Support.

PROGRAM SUPPORT GRANTS: up to $75,000

The Foundation supports projects that have a high likelihood of leading to sustained improvement in the health and health care of vulnerable populations in greater New Brunswick, NJ.

1. Demonstrate or advance effective strategies for filling significant gaps in health and health care in greater New Brunswick

2. Have a high likelihood of achieving self-sufficiency or that attract new resources for services in greater New Brunswick

3. Employ cost-effective strategies for achieving meaningful improvements in health and health care within the community

 GENERAL OPERATING GRANTS: up to $50,000

The foundation allocates a portion of its annual giving to support a limited number of General Operating grants, also known as unrestricted grants, to organizations working within the foundation’s areas of interest and demonstrating solid management and organizational efficiencies. General Operating Grants will only be awarded to agencies that have received RCHF Program Grants in the past. Agencies are eligible to apply for a General Operating Grant once every three years.

 ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Applicant organizations must have tax-exempt status under Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code and be a publicly supported charity under Section 509. Nonprofit organizations additionally must be registered with the State of New Jersey as a charity unless they are schools that file their curricula with the Department of Education and are exempted from the provisions of the New Jersey Charitable Registration and Investigation Act.

The Foundation generally does not provide support for the following:

1. Endowment campaigns or capital improvements

2. Individual fellowships or scholarships

3. General outreach or media campaigns (except when an essential part of a project that meets the Foundation’s funding priorities)

4. Research or publications

 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Projects that extend between one and two years will be considered, but awards are made in one-year increments. Requests exceeding our funding guidelines are strongly discouraged. Annual grant awards depend on the resource requirements of individual projects but will generally be between $20,000 and $75,000 per year. As described above, priority for support is given to projects that are likely to be self-sustaining over time. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to submit budgets where the share of total costs to be supported by the Foundation declines over the course of the project. Applications must be filed electronically by the deadline date.

 WHEN TO APPLY

Applicants may apply to only one category in any give cycle. If an application due date falls on a weekend, the applications are due the next business day. In order to give your proposal, the time and attention it deserves, the proposal deadlines are aligned to the timing of the Board of Trustee meetings.

LETTER OF INTENT
Applicants should begin by submitting a Letter of Intent to the Foundation by email. After Board review, the applicant will be informed whether or not a full grant proposal will be invited.

Letters of intent should provide the following in no more than two pages (single-spaced, 11-point font):

• Project description, including background and rationale, methods, population to be served, and access to that population.

• Funds requested, with broad breakdown into categories, and number of years of support anticipated.

• Letters of Intent for General Operating Grants, should include funds requested, description of organization’s primary service region and target population.

Visit the Foundation website to download a copy of the Letter of Intent application.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

REVIEW PROCESS:
Letters of Intent are reviewed twice per year by the Foundation Board of Trustees. All applicants will be notified in writing of the Foundation's decision within approximately 60 days of the deadline. In making decisions, the Foundation will consider the applicant’s track record, financial stability, leadership, and long-term planning – as well as the extent to which the proposed project meets the funding criteria discussed above.

 USE OF GRANT MONEY:

Grant money must be used exclusively for the purposes and activities specified in the grant application. Grantees may be required to return grant funds not used in the manner described in their grant proposal. Grantees should notify the Foundation as soon as possible if their needs or circumstances change.

 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

Program Support grantees are required to submit a final report narrative one month after the conclusion of the program. The final report should include financial reports and all project evaluation data, lessons learned, changes that will be made in future endeavors that are similar, and any unintended consequences. Failure to complete and submit a final report will result in an interruption of future funding.

 NON-DISCRIMINATION:

The Rutgers Community Health Foundation supports projects that promote inclusiveness and that do not discriminate based on race, gender, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or any other characteristics protected by law.