Hillman Innovations in Care Grant

Hillman Innovations in Care Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation
Amount: Up to US $500,000
Last Updated: March 17, 2026

Summary

The Hillman Innovations in Care Grant seeks innovative, nursing-driven proposals to address the impact of racism on health equity for marginalized communities. This includes addressing health disparities faced by BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and economically disadvantaged populations. The program encourages bold, evidence-based interventions that enhance healthcare delivery and outcomes. Grants of up to $600,000 will support projects that demonstrate potential for broad replicability and sustainability over a 36-month period.

Overview

2021 Focus on Racism and Health Hillman Innovations in Care Program The Hillman Innovations in Care (HIC) Program was established in 2014 to advance innovative, nursing-driven models of care that target the health and healthcare needs of groups and communities who have historically struggled against oppression, discrimination and indifference. These populations include Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), the economically disadvantaged, LGBTQ+ people, people experiencing homelessness, low-income rural populations, and others. This year the HIC program is issuing a special call for submissions that address racism and its impact on health. Racism has been, and remains, the root cause of serious health inequities that unjustly affect communities of color. These disparities include increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, obesity and mental illness; inequitable access to high quality care; inordinately negative outcomes such as infant and maternal mortality rates for Black mothers and babies that are twice as high as those for white populations, and life expectancy that can be as much as ten years shorter than white counterparts living a short drive away. The disproportionate harm of the COVID-19 pandemic in Black, Indigenous and other communities of color and police killings as part of a long history of police brutality are other manifestations of structural racism and societal inequities. Addressing and dismantling racism in its myriad forms—structural, interpersonal, and institutional—is a critical and constructive approach to advancing health equity and improving population health. Goals The goal of the HIC program is to advance leading-edge, nursing-driven models of care that will improve the health and health care of vulnerable populations, including the economically disadvantaged, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, the homeless, rural populations, and other groups that encounter barriers to accessing health-care services. We seek bold, creative, patient- and family-centered approaches that challenge conventional strategies, improve health outcomes, lower costs, and enhance patient and family caregiver experience. Program Priorities The 2021 HIC program seeks proposals for bold, nursing-driven interventions that: Seek to mitigate the effects of racism on health and/or narrow gaps in health equityIdentify and address sources of racism that affect health Challenge conventional strategies for delivering and improving care to populations affected by racism Build trust and credibility in programs or systems of care Are informed by anti-racism practices Present strong preliminary evidenceShow potential for broad replicability The Foundation seeks proposals that address the health care needs of the vulnerable populations in the following areas: Maternal and child health Care of the older adult Chronic illness management Types of Proposals The adaptation of proven nursing-driven models to new or expanded settings or patient populations. The adaptation should be past the pilot phase and demonstrate significant preliminary evidence.The expansion of emerging nursing-driven models with early evidence suggesting a strong likelihood for achieving Triple Aim-like outcomes on a broad scale. All proposals must address the potential for: Improving health, lowering costs, and enhancing patient and caregiver experienceScalabilitySustainability Grant Awards Up to four $250K grants for work lasting 2 years will be awarded this cycle.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. We welcome applications from institutions and care settings from across the spectrum of care, and from practitioners representing a diverse range of backgrounds.We believe that transformative ideas are as likely to come from community health clinics as they are from major academic research centers. Who is eligible?U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are not classified as private foundations. (The Foundation will consider only organizations that can provide proof of qualifying non-profit status, including a tax-exempt determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service.)International organizations that are the equivalent of U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations that are submitting a project that focuses within the United StatesGovernment entitiesFaith-based organizations that welcome and serve all members of the community regardless of religious beliefGrant funds may be used for the following cost categories:PersonnelTravelConsultantsDirect SuppliesEquipment: Please note, partial or full support for equipment may be requested. Funding for infrastructure will be limited.Other Research CostsSub-grants/ SubcontractsIndirect costs: Please note, the Hillman Foundation will provide a limited amount of indirect costs, based on the nature of the applicant organization, to a maximum of 15% of direct costs of the grantee’s administered grant value. This amount will be included in the $600,000 of direct costs (i.e., total value of the grant will be $600,000).

Ineligibility

We will not consider:White papers, literature reviews, or support for publishingBasic science or researchDevelopment of stand-alone technology including medical devices and mobile apps not integral to the overall design of the programCapital projects or improvementsProjects outside the United States and its territoriesWho is not eligible?IndividualsOrganizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status