Jefferson Regional Foundation Grants

The Jefferson Regional Foundation Grants aim to enhance the health and well-being of communities served by Jefferson Hospital through community engagement and research. Organizations can submit Letters of Intent year-round. The Foundation focuses on health, education, and community engagement, with specific funding priorities targeting basic needs, workforce development, and social determinants of health. Grant requests are reviewed at three board meetings each year, ensuring alignment with the Foundation's mission and community needs.

NOTE:
The grant proposal process begins with the completion of an online Letter of Intent. Letters of Intent (LOI) are accepted throughout the year via our online grant system. You can expect to hear from Foundation staff within three weeks.  In response to your Letter of Intent, Foundation staff will talk with you, explore additional questions, and examine whether a program or project is a good potential match to the Foundation’s mission and priorities before the submission of a full proposal. The Jefferson Regional Foundation Board considers grant proposals for approval at three meetings a year – in March, June and December.
Mission & Principles
To improve the health and well-being of the communities served by Jefferson Hospital through engagement, community-driven research, and grantmaking.
Fulfilling the Mission
JRF is not a private foundation but rather a support organization for AHN Jefferson Hospital. As such, our activities broadly support the Hospital’s mission, as we both work to improve the health and well-being of the residents in its service area.
The Jefferson Regional Foundation has three grant cycles in the Foundation’s fiscal year which runs from July 1st to June 30th. The Foundation’s Board of Directors meets in December, March, and June of each year to review and discuss recommended grant requests. If the Foundation’s Board of Directors approves a grant request, partners are notified of the grant award and provided with next steps to receive funding.
Partner organizations who have ensured eligibility, a connection to our service area, and fit with our grantmaking priorities may submit Letters of Intent (LOIs) at any time. Foundation staff, upon review of the LOI, an introductory meeting, and other due diligence activities, must extend an invitation to partner organizations to a submit a full grant proposal.
Grant Priorities
The Jefferson Regional Foundation, with target communities south of Pittsburgh, PA, has used the Jefferson Hospital Community Health Needs Assessment as an important source of community information to identify grantmaking priorities (see Community Reports). The Foundation intends to engage with Jefferson Hospital and community partners in an ongoing assessment and review of community needs. This will result in the evolution of grantmaking priorities over time.
The Foundation currently has three priorities for grantmaking:
Health & WellnessBasic needs including food, housing, and transportationPhysical, mental, behavioral, and environmental healthEducation, Workforce, & Economic OpportunityEarly childhood/literacy Youth developmentTrainingYouth, adult, and community educationCommunity Engagement & Policy WorkAdvocacyCivic engagementOrganizing
Funding Categories
Types of strategies the Foundation will consider funding that support increased health and well-being:

• New and innovative initiatives (includes pilot or planning grants)Ongoing initiatives
• General operating support for organizations operating within the Foundation’s service area
• Capacity-building funds (strategic planning, technical assistance)

Capital funds (equipment, facilities) Note: This category is limited and requires extensive discussion with Foundation staff. It is generally reserved for grantees that have a direct and immediate community impact in the Foundation service area.

Eligibility

There are three criteria for initial eligibility for grant funding.Community-based organizations must have a current IRS tax exempt nonprofit 501(c)(3) status or have a relationship with a currently tax exempt organization serving as the fiscal agent.A program or project must primarily serve the Jefferson target area south of Pittsburgh, PA. The Jefferson area encompasses the South Hills and lower Mon Valley in Allegheny County.Among the communities served are: Baldwin, Bethel Park, Brentwood, Clairton, Dravosburg, Duquesne, Elizabeth Borough, Elizabeth Township, Forward, Glassport, Homestead, Jefferson Hills, Liberty, Lincoln, McKeesport, Munhall, Pleasant Hills, Port Vue, South Park, South Versailles, Versailles, West Elizabeth, West Homestead, West Mifflin, Whitaker and Whitehall.The program or project does not compete with any activities of Jefferson Hospital or the Allegheny Health Network.

Ineligibility

Types of requests we will not fund:Organizations without a charitable, tax-exempt status or a fiscal sponsorPrograms or projects targeted outside of our geographic areaPolitical campaigns or lobbyingReligious organizations for religious purposesMedical researchIndividuals (also individual scholarships or fellowships)Routine fundraising eventsEndowment funds