Equity and Innovation Grants (EIG)

Equity and Innovation Grants

Overview: The Equity and Innovation Grants (EIG), formerly known as Hearts Grants, is a flagship grantmaking program of San Francisco General Hospital Foundation designed to foster new ideas, fund creative approaches to patient care, and support programs fighting inequities in healthcare delivery.

Background: Since 2004, the Foundation has awarded over 500 grants totaling $12-13.5 million to departments across Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG). The program has evolved into a "high leverage" force, strengthening partnerships between ZSFG and SFGHF to catalyze trailblazing initiatives that improve health and well-being for all San Franciscans.

Geographic Scope: San Francisco, California; specifically supporting Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center

Eligibility: Projects must be championed by staff and departments at ZSFG

Funding Priorities:

Care for All: Equity and Inclusion

• Nurturing cross-sector community partnerships
• Strengthening the city's public safety net
• Supporting integration of social determinants of health into clinical care
• Applying equity lens to address those most impacted by structural inequities

Transforming Health Care: Innovation and Leadership

• Testing, innovating, and incubating new and transformative models of care
• Emphasis on whole-person care, team-based approaches, and continuous quality improvements

Focus Areas:

Education that Empowers: Making patient education a priority

Innovations in Comfort and Care: Healing through care for mind, body, and soul

Mirroring our Community: Diversity in care for diverse communities

Treating the Whole Patient: Support for patients beyond their hospital stay

Bringing Care to Community: Proactive prevention where patients live

What They Do Not Fund:

New personnel/salaries

New professional services/contracts

Basic scientific and/or clinical research

Additional restrictions may apply and are shared in the informational webinar

Contact Information:

Email: grants@sfghf.org

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 410836, San Francisco, CA 94141-0836

Grant Selection Criteria:

Aligns with ZSFG True North

Alignment with stated goals and objectives

Impact on health equity (preference for underserved areas)

Innovation impact on patient care, operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and healthcare outcomes

Feasibility and sustainability within hospital infrastructure

Collaboration and partnerships (interdisciplinary teams, external stakeholders, community organizations)

Patient-centered approach (satisfaction, engagement, safety, health outcomes)

Innovation and creativity (uniqueness of approach, novel solutions)

Evidence-based practice grounded in scientific research and best practices

Scalability and replicability to other departments or settings

Efficient resource utilization and cost-effectiveness

Risk management and mitigation strategies

Recent Awards:

2025: Eye Clinic and Healthy Lifestyles Clinic ($100,000 each through BMO partnership)

2024: Hearing Screening Project and Project REACH ($100,000 each through BMO partnership)