Health Care Advocates International Inc
Health Care Advocates, based in Stratford, Connecticut, is a public charity that combines health care services and advocacy with grantmaking through The HCAI Fund. Its work focuses on LGBTQ+ and HIV communities, and its grants support organizations addressing needs such as safety, wellness, basic needs, equality, education, and discrimination.
Key facts about Health Care Advocates International Inc
In short: Health Care Advocates International Inc gave $355K across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $25K), top state Connecticut. 93% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 81-4538081
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $355,069
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- Average grant
- $25,362
- Median grant
- $22,260
- New grantees (estimate)
- 93% first-time grantees (13 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Total assets
- $4,497,002
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (48% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$4.5M
+1.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$355K
-0.2% YoY
Grant Count
14
+16.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
-14.4% YoY
Is Health Care Advocates International Inc open to new grantees?
93%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 14 grantees (93%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $24K; repeat grants $40K. How we count
Medians: $22K first-time, $40K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to reduce HIV- and STI-related morbidity and mortality by fighting stigma and discrimination and ending homelessness through prevention programs, education, advocacy, and treatment, with a focus on LGBTQ+ and HIV communities.
The HCAI Fund considers support for 501(c)(3) organizations whose missions align with its own and whose programs address one or more of these areas: basic-needs assistance; substance abuse affecting treatment and care; equality in community life, including work, housing, education, and health care access; mental-health support; stigma and discrimination; HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and support; and advertising or similar services for the program seeking support.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Trans Housing Coalition says it helps chronically homeless transgender and gender-nonconforming people in Atlanta move into long-term housing. Mid Fairfield AIDS Project describes its work as direct and indirect services and advocacy for people affected by HIV/AIDS, including prevention education. Triangle Community Center says it empowers and advocates for LGBTQIA+ people in Connecticut through community, health, and learning programs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the organization reported 14 grants totaling $355,069. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $50,000, with a median of $22,260.
Notable 2024 grants included $50,000 each to The Health Collective for a SOGIE conference event at UConn and Liberations Program for substance-abuse recovery support and housing; $40,000 to Mid Fairfield AIDS Project for its case-management program for people with HIV; and $40,000 to Stop AIDS for HIV/LGBTQ+ support. Other awards included $35,000 to Trans Housing Coalition for its housing-first program, $25,000 to Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS (now Prisma Community Care) to support services and patient costs, and $21,520 to Tony’s Place for emergency housing for LGBTQ+ youth.
The organization says it formalized an application process for The HCAI Fund. Its grant-program page directs interested organizations to check for updates and announcements about the next grant cycle and application details. The HCAI Fund is listed as currently open, but the available program information does not specify application materials or a deadline.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Health Care Advocates International Inc
Ready to take the next step with Health Care Advocates International Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization is based in Stratford, Connecticut. Its 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states: Connecticut received 48% of grant dollars, California and New York each received 11%, Georgia 10%, and Arizona 7%. The organization’s filing also describes health-care work in Zimbabwe.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $86K (2019) to $538K (2020). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $355K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Health Collective ($50K). Together the top 10 received $315K.
Grant Size Distribution
46 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 46 (72%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Health Collective Hartford, CT | Presenting Sponsor for Sogie Con Event at Uconn | $50,000 |
| Liberations Program Inc Bridgeport, CT | Substance Abuse and Recovery Support and Housing | $50,000 |
| Mid Fairfield AIDS Project Norwalk, CT | Funding for hiv positive people through case management program | $40,000 |
| Stop AIDS San Francisco, CA | HIV/LGBTQ Support | $40,000 |
| Trans Housing Coalition Atlanta, GA | To expand their housing first program for transgender and gender non-confirming people experiencing homelessness. | $35,000 |
| Southwest Center for Hivaids (Now Prisma Community Care) Phoenix, AZ | To support their mission in providing affordable, affirming and inclusive services for diverse communities. Funding helped center to cover patient's out of pocket costs in addition to increasing access to services | $25,000 |
| Ballroom We Care New York, NY | Event Sponsorship | $23,000 |
| Tony's Place Houston, TX | To fund the emergency housing program/ to provide a lifeline to lgbtq+ youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability in houston | $21,520 |
| Visiting Nurse Services in Westchester White Plains, NY | Increase its capacity addressing the unique home health care needs of members of the lgbtq+ community living throughout the lower hudson valley and the bronx, ny and launch a first-of-its-kind lgbtq+ care navigation program, providing targeted home care navigation services to members of the lgbtq+ community. | $15,199 |
| Stonewall Youth Olympia, WA | Provide Basic Needs to LGBTQ+ Youth | $15,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,497,002 | $14,624,514 | $14,507,631 | $355,069 (14 grants) |
| 2023 | $4,419,557 | $13,209,904 | $12,058,007 | $355,606 (12 grants) |
| 2022 | $3,087,190 | $9,767,076 | $9,813,002 | $272,470 (6 grants) |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,497,002 | $4,419,557 | $3,087,190 |
| Revenue | $14,624,514 | $13,209,904 | $9,767,076 |
| Expenses | $14,507,631 | $12,058,007 | $9,813,002 |
| Net Investment Income | $258,231 | $35,061 | $95,676 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS November 16, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 28, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 2, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Gary Blick as CMO; Patricia McKnight as executive director; Gary Garrison and Dr. Shandurai Takavarasha as directors; Rose Daley as secretary; Sheryl Morrison as treasurer; Erin Norton as president and Carl O’Donnell as vice president, both as of October 2024; Elysia Cerreta as M.A.; and Leonard Courtemanche as advocacy director.
Health Care Advocates International Inc is led by Patricia McKnight, Executive Director on every filing since 2019; 6 of 12 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Patricia McKnight
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$188K (2019) → $264K (2024)
Erin Norton
President
Director → President, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leonard Courtemanche
Advocacy Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$106K (2021) → $114K (2024)
Tony Ferraiolo
Director of Youth & Family
Director of Youth & Family Programs → Director of Youth & Family, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$141K (2021) → $154K (2024)
Gary Garrison
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shandurai Takavarasha
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Blick
CMO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$414K (2019) → $532K (2024)
Elysia Cerreta
M.a
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$149K (2020) → $203K (2024)
Laura Snyder
Rnbsn
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$137K (2024)
Rose Daley
Secretary
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sheryl Morrison
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carl O'Donnell
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $532K, to Gary Blick (CMO). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 2595 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06615
Phone: (203) 345-0404
Frequently asked questions about Health Care Advocates International Inc
How much does Health Care Advocates International Inc give each year?
Health Care Advocates International Inc gave $355K across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $356K across 12 grants.
What is Health Care Advocates International Inc's typical grant size?
Health Care Advocates International Inc's median grant in 2024 was $22,260, and its average grant was $25,362, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Health Care Advocates International Inc that year got $24K on average.
Where does Health Care Advocates International Inc give grants?
Health Care Advocates International Inc's top state is Connecticut, with 48% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (11%) and New York (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Hartford, CT (2 grants) and Norwalk, CT (2 grants).
Does Health Care Advocates International Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Health Care Advocates International Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Health Care Advocates International Inc's largest grantees?
Health Care Advocates International Inc's largest 2024 grantees include The Health Collective ($50,000), Liberations Program Inc ($50,000) and Mid Fairfield AIDS Project ($40,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Health Care Advocates International Inc?
Health Care Advocates International Inc reported $4.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $14.6M.
What does Health Care Advocates International Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to reduce HIV- and STI-related morbidity and mortality by fighting stigma and discrimination and ending homelessness through prevention programs, education, advocacy, and treatment, with a focus on LGBTQ+ and HIV communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Health Care Advocates International Inc?
Health Care Advocates International Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Health Care Advocates International Inc's EIN?
Health Care Advocates International Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-4538081. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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