Mini-Grant Program

Note: Please review the Grantmaking Overview and General Eligibility Requirements pages prior to applying.
Salem Health and Wellness Foundation
The Foundation has made over $59 million in grants, contributions and scholarships to more than 60 organizations, all with the specific requirement that the funds address health problems in our county.
Grantmaking Overview
The Salem Health and Wellness Foundation is committed to supporting projects that enhance, improve, and transform the health, safety and well-being of the County’s residents. This is done primarily through the Foundation’s grantmaking process that is simultaneously attentive to community strengths and challenges. All grant opportunities are available through public notice through our website and/or announcements by the Foundation’s Executive Director.
The Foundation’s work is guided by its Mission and Values, as well as the Social Determinants of Health and Five Protective Factors. Our grantmaking is based on our belief in possibilities.
Salem Health and Wellness Foundation’s grantmaking is also driven by available data and community narratives. This information supports our priority setting and funding decisions. We strongly encourage all grant applicants to use the valuable combination of data, and the accompanying narratives, in shaping their proposals.
The mini-grant program is for small-scale programming or short-term projects (6 months or less), that align with the interests and the goals of the Foundation and promotes the overall health and wellness of Salem County residents.
Requests are accepted on a rolling basis through the Foundation’s grant portal. Allow up to 60 days for review and determination by the Foundation. The Foundation may contact you during the review process. Requests may not exceed $3,000. Awards are limited to one per organization per calendar year. An organization may receive funding for more than one year, but a new application must be submitted each year. Approval of one year of funding carries with it no assurance of continued funding in subsequent years. A final report will be submitted online. This report will be due 30 days after the project is complete to maintain eligibility for future funding.

Eligibility

Salem County Providers
Organizations classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and as public charities, under Section 509(a) of that code.Churches and religious organizations may be eligible to receive funding for activities that are non-sectarian and benefit the larger community.Organizations must be in existence for a minimum of 3 years. Financial reports should show breakeven or surplus budgets in the last 2 out of 3 years.
Providers Outside of Salem County
In addition to the requirements listed above, applicants outside of Salem County must:Have a presence established in the County; orHave experience working with residents of the County; orHave experience partnering with nonprofit organizations in the County.

Ineligibility

Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible for fundingInstitutions that discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, creed, gender, or sexual orientation in policy or practice.
Sectarian religious activities, political lobbying or legislative activities.
Capital expenditures, such as land, buildings, or equipment, or any building, renovation, or remodeling of facilities. Examples include machinery, capital equipment, medical equipment, vehicles, licenses, etc.
Deficit reduction/ bad debts, contingencies, fines/penalties, interest payments, litigation costs, or any other comparable financial costs;
Contributions to cash reserves and/or endowment funds;
Lobbying or attempting to influence federal, state, or local legislation;
Fundraising events, activities, and related expenses (e.g., benefits, dinners, etc.);
Awards, prizes, or scholarships for use outside the applicant’s programming;
Projects benefiting for-profit organizations;
Private events closed to the general public and activities restricted to an organization’s membership;
Projects of a religious nature designed to promote or inhibit religious belief and/or practice and that have no basic underlying secular theme or topics.