Community Benefit Capital Grants

NCHS accepts unsolicited requests from qualified nonprofit organizations seeking financial support for capital projects related to health and the development of healthy communities. NCHS has awarded over $100 million in grants since 1993-1999, supporting healthcare and community services across eight Indiana counties.

Geographic Scope

Funding available for organizations operating in the following Indiana counties:

• Benton
• Carroll
• Clinton
• Fountain
• Montgomery
• Tippecanoe
• Warren
• White

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible applicants:

• Tax-exempt nonprofit organizations classified under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
• Organizations with at least two years of financial history and financial statements
• Organizations operating in one or more of the eight eligible Indiana counties

Ineligible applicants:

• Individuals
• Foundations or endowments
• Religious organizations
• Political organizations
• Public or private educational institutions
• Municipalities or organizations with taxing authority
• Non-501(c)(3) organizations

Ineligible Funding Categories

NCHS generally does not award capital grants for:

• Grant administration expenses, overhead, or other indirect costs
• Operational expenses
• Debt reduction or retirement
• Reimbursement for purchases or projects already started or completed
• Improvement of properties not owned by the eligible applicant organization
• Repair or replacement of predictably obsolescent capital items
• Annual appeals, membership, or fundraising drives
• Special events such as parades, dinners, festivals, or sporting events

Funding Priorities

NCHS prioritizes funding for capital grants addressing needs identified by the 2024 River Bend Hospital Community Health Needs Assessment and the 2024 NCHS Community Health Needs Assessment Implementation Plan.

Preferred criteria for funding include:

• Enhance health outcomes and develop healthy communities
• Create opportunities for sustainable and significant long-term impacts
• Have broad community support and sponsorship
• Encourage creativity and collaboration among organizations
• Efficiently utilize limited resources
• Leverage funding opportunities
• Build capacity, improve, or expand existing programs that address demonstrated unmet community needs

Evaluation Criteria

• Authentic collaborations
• Financial sustainability
• Proven outcomes and impact
• Strong leadership
• Broad community support

Review Criteria Details

Proven Success

• Clear mission and clearly defined outcomes
• Proven success achieving organizational goals and positive outcomes for target population
• Demonstrated ability to measure success and impact

Collaboration

• Coordinates and collaborates with other organizations to increase impact and avoid duplicative service
• For requests over $250,000: demonstrated community support by raising minimum 10% or more from other funders

Effective Operations

• Fiscal responsibility
• Appropriate staff, internal systems, and board leadership

Sustainability

• Demonstrated ability to sustain resources necessary to maintain work

Contact Information

Director of Community Benefit and Outreach
North Central Health Services, Inc.

Application Process

Letter of Inquiry Submission

• Letters of inquiry for capital grant requests are accepted year-round
• Initial contact encouraged before submission: (765) 423-1604

Step 1: Submit Letter of Inquiry
Include the following in your letter:

1. Concise description of the organization
2. Statement of the problem or need to be addressed
3. Explanation of the project or proposed solution
4. Estimated total cost of the project
5. Description of any existing financial or organizational partners
6. Amount requested from NCHS

Submit letter of inquiry to:
North Central Health Services, Inc.
Attn: Michelle Kreinbrook, Director of Community Benefit and Outreach
2900 North River Road
West Lafayette, IN 47906

Step 2: Initial Review

• Upon receipt, initial review determines whether request meets NCHS capital grant funding guidelines and priorities
• Written notification of initial determination
• If approved for further evaluation, you will be informed of application opportunities

Step 3: Complete Full Application
If approved for further evaluation, complete a grant application and provide the following:

Bids, Quotes, Drawings, & Appraisals

• Building projects: Provide drawings and final contractor bid
• Renovation projects: Provide final contractor bid and drawings (if applicable)
• Equipment requests: Provide vendor quotes
• Building acquisition requests: Provide appraisal and inspection report
• Land acquisition requests: Provide at least one independent appraisal report

Financial Statements (based on request amount)

• Requests under $25,000: Internal, present-year financial statements
• Requests $25,000–$250,000: Internal, present-year financial statements AND external compilation, financial review, or audit of prior year's financial statements
• Requests over $250,000: Internal, present-year financial statements AND external, complete audit of prior year's financial statements

Note: For requests over $250,000, organization must demonstrate community support by raising minimum 10% or more from other funders