VHCF: Health Access Grants

The VHCF Health Access Grants aim to enhance healthcare access for uninsured Virginians and those in underserved areas. This funding supports initiatives to expand care capacity, establish broader services, and address the mental health crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible organizations include public agencies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits. The program prioritizes projects that create coordinated systems of care to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Most VHCF grants work to increase access to healthcare for uninsured Virginians and those who live in areas with limited access to care.
Barriers to healthcare access take many forms and can be caused by a variety of factors. Grant applicants are encouraged to develop initiatives in the following areas based on their local needs.
Developing or Expanding Capacity
This includes initiatives that establish new outlets of care for uninsured or medically underserved Virginians, as well as those which enable existing programs to serve a greater number of patients. Examples include proposals to add new primary care providers (medical, mental health, dental, pharmacists); undertake a strategic expansion of physical infrastructure; utilize technology to expand access (e.g., telemedicine); or seek to implement an innovative model of service delivery.
Establishing a Broader Scope of Services
Some organizations are interested in adding new services to those they currently offer. Proposals to add key primary care services, e.g. mental health, dental; institute programs to enhance care of uninsured, chronically ill patients; or utilize technology (e.g. telehealth or tele-mental health) to enhance and expand access to primary care in underserved areas fall within the parameters of this funding track.
Accelerating Licensure of Behavioral Health Professionals
There is a compelling shortage of behavioral health professionals throughout the state, particularly in the 77 localities that are federally designated as mental health professional shortage areas. There are many masters-prepared social workers and counselors who require oversight for a defined period of time by a licensed professional in their field, before they can become licensed. VHCF will consider proposals for funding to pay the salary and benefits of these masters-prepared therapists from local organizations that will provide the required oversight from a trained behavioral health professional.
Creating Local Coordinated Systems of Care
VHCF is interested in stimulating and supporting local initiatives that will result in a community-wide coordinated network of care for the uninsured and the medically underserved, and invites proposals designed to achieve this. This funding track is appropriate for communities where there are several organizations that have a vision of working more closely together to achieve greater synergies and efficiencies both for their patients/clients and for their operations by creating or enhancing interoperability among providers.
Conquering the Consequences of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted life on all fronts and created many economic and personal ripple effects that have significantly increased the number of Virginians reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD (35% compared to 10% in 2019 – Kaiser Family Foundation data). Many nonprofit organizations report a significant increase in these conditions among their patients. As a result, VHCF is interested in supporting services or initiatives that increase the availability of mental health services at this critical juncture and beyond. The Foundation has a special interest in receiving proposals that will address the mental health needs of populations and individuals most impacted by the pandemic.

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration for a VHCF grant, organizations must be:A public agency or private non-profit holding a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption;An organization with a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt fiscal sponsor; orAn applicant for federal tax-exemption under 501(c)(3).Free clinics or Community Health Centers applying for grants must be members in good standing with either the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics or the Virginia Community Healthcare Association.

Ineligibility

VHCF grants cannot be used to:Fund research projects that lack a direct primary care service component;Replace funding from a previously-existing source, public or private, which has been reduced or eliminated;Fund portions of existing operations; orUnderwrite sponsorships.