Funding Opportunity: Grant Writing Stipends for Community-based Organizations
/BHT is offering $5,000 grant-writing stipends for Community-based organizations currently applying for regional, state, or federal funding.
Background
If you have been around BHT for a while, you may know we are currently working under a recently renewed Medicaid Waiver 1115, which we are calling Waiver 2.0. One of the key elements of Medicaid Waiver 2.0 is building a robust system of community-based care coordination through the region’s Accountable Communities of Health (hey, that’s us!). Because BHT is made up of partners, board, and staff members who are tenacious problem solvers, we’re starting to build our strategy.
In BHT’s Strategic Plan we’ve grounded ourselves in a 1-5 year view of the following:
Expanding community-based organizations’ ability to connect people to anti-racist care
Shifting power to impacted communities* to dismantle white dominant systems
Improving linkages between clinical and social-care resources
Improving economic and social well-being of the community-based workforce**
We know that capacity building is challenging, and we are developing strategies to support these efforts with a focus on organizations providing community-based care coordination. We are calling this the Community of Learning.
Grant Writing Support Initiative
Overview
It’s important for us to use data to inform our Community of Learning strategy. We started with voluntary Organizational Capacity Assessments for our current community-based care coordination partners, Community Resiliency and Community Linkages partners (two of our funding opportunities from last year), and our broader partner community to understand current strengths and areas for potential investment.
The need for grant writing support emerged as a common, high-priority theme. As a result, we have allocated up to $220,000 to this initiative. Organizations are eligible for up to $5,000 to directly fund grant-writing technical assistance provided by a grant writing consultant of their choice. Our objective is to support as many community-based organizations as possible to secure additional funding and increase their capacity through these Grant Writing Stipends.
Program Details
To request funds, organizations must identify a specific grant opportunity that they want to pursue and list it in their application (link below). This can include private or public funding (local, state, or federal).
An eligibility check is included as part of the application process to ensure organizations meet the requirements for the identified grant.
Funds will be awarded based on meeting the eligibility requirements outlined below.
The $5,000 maximum is an organization-level cap, but each specific funding request must go through the application and approval process. That is, if you want to use these funds to pursue two different opportunities, each request must be submitted and approved separately.
Funding is not available to spend on grant research or prospecting.
Funding Eligibility
Applicants must be nonprofits or fiscally sponsored organizations located in the BHT region (map at this link) and must meet at least 3 out of the following 4 to be eligible for grant writing support funding:
Your organization does not have a full-time development director or grant writer on staff (we aren’t counting contracted – so if you have a contracted development or grant support person helping you, you can still apply).
Your organization has an annual operating budget of less than $2 million.
Your organization has a current or developing relationship with BHT. This includes organizations that have contracted with BHT at any time, current BHT Collaborative or Forum Members with signed agreements, and/or organizations with representatives currently serving on a BHT technical council or board.
Your organization has at least 50% representation of folks from impacted communities* on your board or leadership (self-defined leadership).
Additionally, your organization’s mission and values should align with BHT’s Vision, Goals, and Commitment to Anti-racism. BHT’s vision is an integrated and anti-racist health system accountable for better health for ALL in Eastern Washington. Our goals and commitment to anti-racism center health equity, and partners eligible for this opportunity share these commitments.
Process and Application Link
Grant Writing Stipend applications will be processed in the order they are received, and the application will remain open until June 30, 2024 or until funding is expended. If you have questions or would like to submit the request in a different language or format, email Ethan Senn: ethan.senn@betterhealthtogether.org.
Application and approval steps:
You complete the Grant Writing Stipend application (link below) with a specific funding opportunity in mind and the name and contact information for your contracted grant writer. A PDF of the application is available at this link.
If you don’t know if you are eligible for the funding opportunity you have identified, you can request an eligibility coaching session with us by signing up using the form. We will send you a calendar invitation and Zoom link for the designated time.
We review your request within 3 business days.
We email you and the grant writer listed in your application to confirm approval for grant writing funding, collect more information, or deny funding if eligibility criteria are not met.
You work directly with your grant writer to prepare and submit the grant proposal for this funding opportunity.
You notify us when you submit the proposal and tell us the amount you requested.
Your grant writer submits an invoice and their W9 to BHT: ethan.senn@betterhealthtogether.org. We pay your grant writer directly.
You let us know when you hear back about your application. We are tracking this information and are excited to know the results!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I don’t have a current grant opportunity in mind. Can I apply for these funds to use in the future?
A: No. Because of the way we are tracking the project, we need each Grant Writing Stipend to be matched with one funding opportunity. You must have an identified grant opportunity to receive the Grant Writing Stipend.
Q: After working with a grant writer on an application, we decided not to apply. Can the grant writer still invoice BHT for their time even if we don’t submit a completed proposal?
A: Yes. We understand plans change, and we want to make sure we are honoring the time of the grant writer involved. We will still pay for the hours your grant writer spent in exploring and/or preparing an application.
Q: My organization’s internal team has the ability to write this grant. Can we apply for funding to cover staff time?
A: No, we have set aside this funding for external technical assistance grant writers to increase resources going to CBOs.
Q: I don’t have a grant writer. Will you help me connect with a grant writer?
A: We are not providing an approved list of grant writers; we encourage you to make direct connections and ask your community partners if they have recommendations. Upon request, we can provide a list of grant writers that BHT has worked with.
Q: What does BHT expect after we hear back about our grant application?
A: As part of accepting the Grant Writing Stipend funds, you are agreeing to let us know the results of your application, whether or not you are selected as a funding recipient. We are tracking the overall dollars invested in community-based organizations through this initiative, and we will be totaling grant money received as a result.
Questions?
Contact Ethan Senn, ethan.senn@betterhealthtogether.org.
Helpful Terms
*Impacted communities: Better Health Together uses the term impacted communities to refer broadly to all groups that have been impacted by systems of oppression. We recognize the systemic inequities are faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; 2STLGBQIA+; people who have a disability, who are justice-involved or court-impacted, low-income; undocumented community members; refugees and immigrants; and rural living communities. We recognize this isn't a comprehensive list but is designed to guide our partner engagement.
**Community-based workforce: We use the term “community-based workforce” to talk about our community workers, including doulas, peers, community health workers, and other community-serving individuals who aren’t employed by health care providers or insurance companies.