How To Apply

The Foundation prioritizes eight health issues for funding and responds to timely issues or special projects outside the funding priorities. We encourage requests for core operating support, but requests for project funding are also welcome. Core operating support can be used to help underwrite the regular, ongoing health care, health promotion and disease prevention activities of your organization. Such funds can be used for ongoing organizational costs such as salaries for key administrative staff or operating expenses. Core support funds can also be used for strengthening organizational capacity through activities such as engaging in strategic planning, facilitating board development or developing information systems. Each prioritized health issue is described below.

Diversity in the Health Professions

Grants that address the issue of diversity in the health professions are commonly given to organizations that provide pipeline programs, scholarships, outreach and retention programs, internships and fellowships, and loan repayment programs for ethnic minorities that are underrepresented in the health professions. Careers in medicine, nursing, public health and other allied health professions are included. Organizations that support leadership development for people of color in the health professions are also eligible for funding. In addition, the Foundation funds organizations that provide information about the California health care workforce to policymakers and opinion leaders.

Environmental Health

Grants that address the issue of environmental health are commonly given to organizations that provide environmental health education and awareness activities; community organizing to promote environmental health; screening and testing for exposure to environmental toxins; leadership development; and collaborations such as partnerships between public health departments and community-based health programs to improve environmental health. The Foundation also funds efforts to inform policymakers and opinion leaders about improving environmental health issues.

Healthy Aging

Grants that address the issue of healthy aging are commonly given to organizations that provide clinical preventive services, falls prevention programs, food and nutrition programs and in-home support. Also funded are organizations that support relationships between youth and older adults through activities such as intergenerational volunteering and mentoring. In addition, the Foundation funds agencies that inform policymakers and opinion leaders about healthy aging, as well as organizations that provide leadership development programs for seniors.

Mental Health

Grants that address the issue of mental health are commonly given to organizations that provide services for transition-age youth (ages 16-23) — with a focus on those in, or exiting from, foster care and on runaway/homeless youth. In addition, the Foundation funds organizations that provide leadership development programs for mental health professionals, as well as organizations that inform policymakers and opinion leaders about the health/mental health issues of transition-age youth.

Teenage Pregnancy Prevention

Grants that address the issue of teenage pregnancy prevention are commonly given to organizations that provide outreach activities for reproductive health care, access to contraceptive services, and comprehensive programs for pregnant teens. An emphasis is placed on funding peer-provider clinics and other reproductive health organizations that work with high-risk, sexually active, underserved teen populations. The Foundation also funds organizations that provide leadership development activities for reproductive health care workers and organizations that inform policymakers and opinion leaders about the issue of teen pregnancy.

Violence Prevention

Grants that address the issue of violence prevention are commonly given to organizations that provide services for youth (ages 12–24) including mentoring programs, gang intervention programs, re-entry programs, community-based violence prevention programs and after-school programs. An emphasis is placed on funding organizations that work with at-risk youth, including gang-affiliated and previously incarcerated youth. Grants are also made to organizations that provide leadership development activities to those working in the field of violence prevention, as well as organizations that inform policymakers and opinion leaders about the public health aspects of violence against youth.

Women’s Health

Grants that address the issue of women’s health are commonly given to organizations that provide reproductive health care, prenatal care, community-based comprehensive health care services, HIV/AIDS programs for women of color, case management, and supportive housing for homeless women. Priority is given to organizations that create welcoming environments for women in underserved communities. The Foundation also funds organizations that provide leadership development activities for women and those that inform policymakers and opinion leaders about the issue of women’s health.

Work and Health

Grants that address the issue of work and health are commonly given to nonprofit organizations that provide health care services to farmworkers, in-home health workers, garment workers, day laborers and other low-income workers. Worker centers that provide culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate services, such as health education and access to health care for low-wage workers, are also prioritized for funding. In addition, the Foundation funds organizations that provide leadership development programs for low-wage workers, as well as organizations that inform policymakers and opinion leaders about the issue of work and health.

Special Projects

Each year, the Foundation sets aside a pool of dollars to respond in a timely fashion to opportunities that fit our mission but are outside the eight health issues prioritized for funding. The Foundation places an emphasis on grants to support and strengthen safety net providers of health care, help low-income consumers understand and navigate the health care system, and to inform policymakers and opinion leaders about health care issues affecting the underserved. The Foundation has also provided significant funding to organizations addressing the health care needs of the California-Mexico border population, the oral health care needs of underserved populations, and culturally appropriate programs for underserved ethnic populations.

Application Process

To present The California Wellness Foundation with a grant request, an organization should first write a one- to two-page letter of interest. Please note that submissions beyond two pages will not be accepted. The letter should describe the organization’s mission, activities and operating budget; the region and population(s) served; the total funds requested from the Foundation; and how the funds will be used. If you are requesting project funding, please include the project’s goals, leadership and duration. Your letter will be processed most accurately if you clearly indicate the TCWF funding priority for which you want your request considered (for example, healthy aging). No application form is needed, and formal proposals are not accepted at this preliminary stage.

Foundation staff will review letters of interest on an ongoing basis and notify prospective applicants of the results normally within three months. Those encouraged to submit a proposal will receive further guidance at that time.

Eligibility Criteria

With rare exception, the Foundation funds nonprofit organizations that are exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that are not private foundations as defined in IRC Section 509(a) or are public charities as defined in IRC Section 170(b)(A)(vi). The Foundation also funds government agencies. The Foundation does not fund Section 509(a)(3) Type III non-functionally integrated supporting organizations.

Grants are not generally awarded for annual fund drives, building campaigns, major equipment or biomedical research. Activities that exclusively benefit the members of sectarian or religious organizations are not considered. The Foundation does not provide international funding or fund organizations located outside the United States.

Letters of interest should be directed to: Director of Grants Management,
The California Wellness Foundation, 6320 Canoga Avenue, Suite 1700, Woodland Hills, CA 91367