Collaborative Health Innovation Program (CHIP) Grant

Program Name: CHIP (Collaborative Health Innovation Program) Grants

CHIP grants are designed to encourage two or more organizations to join forces to implement problem-solving programs designed to strengthen communities and improve social determinants of health. The program supports out-of-the-box thinking and innovative collaborative approaches.

Funding Details

• Award Amount: Up to $50,000 per grant
• Total Awarded (2020): Nearly $420,000 to 11 organizations
• Recurrence: Annual

Geographic Scope

Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon, Swain counties and the Qualla Boundary, North Carolina

Eligible Applicants

• Regional nonprofit organizations (must partner with at least one collaborating partner)
• Governmental agencies
• Public service organizations

Funding Priorities

• Access to healthcare
• Education
• Transportation
• Alleviation of poverty
• Quality of housing
• COVID-19 relief (special interest priority area)

Types of Support

• Programs designed to strengthen communities' overall health
• Innovative approaches to addressing social determinants of health
• Collaborative, multi-organizational initiatives
• Programs addressing root causes of health problems

Key Requirements

• Mandatory Collaboration: Applicants must partner with at least one other organization
• Innovation Focus: Proposals should demonstrate unique problem-solving approaches
• Sustainability: Programs should seek to leverage existing community resources
• Measurement: Projects should include plans to measure success

Application Process

Note: Historical information from 2020 cycle provided. Current application procedures should be verified on foundation website.

1. Visit nantahalahealthfoundation.org for application materials
2. Organizations develop collaborative proposals with at least one partner organization
3. Submit grant proposals addressing social determinants of health
4. Foundation staff and board review and vet proposals
5. Awards are announced (historically in December)

Application Requirements (2020 Cycle)

• Collaborative partnership with at least one other organization required
• Proposals should demonstrate innovative approaches
• Focus on leveraging existing community resources
• Plans for implementation and measurement of success
• Address one or more funding priority areas
• Consider root causes of health problems

Key Questions for Applicants (Per Foundation Guidance)

• Who can I collaborate with to strengthen the implementation and ultimate success of my idea?
• What new problem-solving elements can I and my collaborators bring to the region?
• What is the root cause of the problem driving people to need support from my organization?
• Who can I collaborate with and what can we do to address those root causes?

Timeline (2020 Example)

• Application period: July 2020 - September 23, 2020
• Award announcements: December 3, 2020