Building Community Power Fund Grant

The Building Community Power Fund, launched by HealthSpark Foundation, aims to empower nonprofit organizations in Montgomery County, PA, by enhancing their advocacy efforts. With a budget of approximately $140,000 for 2025, the fund will support initiatives that foster civic engagement, social equity, and community empowerment. Grants of up to $20,000 will be available to help organizations integrate advocacy into their missions, ensuring they can effectively address community needs and influence policies that impact health and well-being.

Since our founding, we’ve made 1,044 grants totaling $18.4 million to 226 organizations.
This past fall, HealthSpark Foundation launched our 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, which will direct our efforts to advance positive social change in Montgomery County and to build community power – our belief that people should have influence and control over the policies, programs, and practices that affect their lives.
Every day in Montgomery County, community organizations and leaders are working to address and improve civic engagement, racial and social equity, public policies and systems, and social determinants of health and well-being. Our grantmaking, convening, and leadership will stand behind and support their inspirational and essential efforts. Each year, HealthSpark will prioritize strategic initiatives that support transformative leaders, build thriving communities, and achieve opportunities and justice for all.
To support our Community Power goal, we are proud to launch the Building Community Power Fund. Based on the belief that advocacy is a critical lever for achieving health equity, the Building Community Power Fund is dedicated to supporting and growing nonprofit organization’s ability to advocate for more just and equitable policies, practices, and programs that impact the health and wellbeing of Montgomery County residents. The Fund provides grant support to build capacity within nonprofit organizations for advocacy and to enhance existing advocacy efforts centered in Montgomery County that are aligned with HealthSpark’s mission, guiding principles, and goals.
HealthSpark Foundation is committed to helping nonprofit organizations in Montgomery County embed advocacy into their culture, daily operations, programs, and long-term goals. The Building Community Power Fund aims to empower them to advocate for community needs, raise awareness of key issues impacting the health and well-being of residents, and create lasting positive change.
Grant Funding Details
The 2025 Building Community Power Fund budget is approximately $140,000. HealthSpark anticipates:

• Awarding grants with a maximum of $20,000 for a one-year period beginning mid-April.
• Grants may be awarded as general operating support or programmatic (restricted) support.
• Announcing award decisions in early April.

Eligibility

Through this Fund, we will support a range of activities such as:

• Board and staff training on allowable and impactful nonprofit advocacy activities;
• Strategic planning activities to incorporate advocacy activities into a nonprofit’s mission and services;
• Developing educational materials that will be used for advocacy;
• Building relationships with elected officials and policymakers to support advocacy efforts;
• Engaging or training residents, community partners, peers, and others in advocacy opportunities;
• Training or leadership development for residents of diverse backgrounds to serve on community boards, commissions, or to take part in other civic activities;
• Hosting educational or advocacy events;
• Providing nonpartisan voter education and registration;
• Other activities that support an advocacy strategy defined by the organization.Qualities We Value in Applicants
• Organizations with deep roots in the local community
• Engagement with and led by people affected by the issue or challenges they seek to address
• Commitments to racial and social justice, coalitions, and partnerships

Ability to mobilize and inspire community involvement or actionReceiving funding from this grant program does not disqualify an applicant from receiving other funding from HealthSpark through other grant programs.Eligibility Requirements
Projects must serve Montgomery County residentsApplicants must have a 501(c)(3), or have a fiscal intermediary/sponsorship relationship, or be a religious organization, or part of Montgomery County government.
Organizations that are not Montgomery County-based (i.e., statewide or national organizations) should clearly demonstrate their connections and work to Montgomery County, the relationships with organizations in Montgomery County, and the connection to and understanding of Montgomery County residents and their needs. Grants awarded to these regional, statewide, or national groups will be in the form of a restricted grant to take place in Montgomery County, where work is centered.

Ineligibility

Athletic recreational clubs or alumni activities
Replacement of lost government funds or supplementation of private/public insurance
Please know that we do not respond to requests for annual support, events, or other general solicitations.