Washington Square Health Foundation Grants: Medical Research Category

Washington Square Health Foundation Grants: Medical Research Category

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Washington Square Health Foundation
Last Updated: October 15, 2025

Summary

The Washington Square Health Foundation Grants support medical research aimed at improving community health. Grants are available to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to serving high-risk and underserved populations. Applications are accepted biannually, with deadlines on June 1 and December 1. Projects must ensure ongoing benefits after funding ends and must align with the foundation's principles for community health care.

Overview

Grant Application Deadlines are: June 1 and December 1 of each year, at midnight. If these dates fall on weekend or holiday, the due date will be the next weekday business day. Washington Square Health Foundation Grants The Washington Square Health Foundation grant making process is conducted by the Board of Directors in an impartial manner based upon an evaluation of each project request. Therefore, solicitation of individual members of the Washington Square Health Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors by potential recipients for specific Washington Square Health Foundation, Inc. grant requests is discouraged. Priorities for funding will vary from time to time. Even though a project meets established criteria, it may not be adopted because of limited funds or other priorities. Washington Square Health Foundation, Inc. Grants do not merely provide funds to an existing project, however worthy. They must be designed to provide significant health related benefits. Projects must have the support of appropriate organizations and/or governmental units in the community where the project is to be carried out. To be eligible for consideration, projects must be efforts involving a not for profit tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization or association as a sponsor. Principles for Community Health Care Representatives from Chicago area foundations, with input from public health, hospital, payer and community based health care organizations, have developed Principles for Community Health Care. These principles reinforce the value placed by the philanthropic community on activities to increase access to health care among at-risk populations and expand capacity to address important health care needs. They will offer grant makers a consistent approach to assessing the commitment of potential grantees to these community health goals. The criteria are included to clarify the meaning of each broad principle. Provides service to high risk, underserved and/or disadvantaged in the community. Criteria- Demonstration that the organization has: Collected assessment data about the health care needs of high risk, underserved and/or disadvantaged populations in service area. Implemented targeted activities to increase the accessibility of health care services to one or more high risk, underserved and/or disadvantaged population(s). Designed and implemented with community involvement new or expanded services to address the health care needs of one or more high risk, underserved and/or disadvantaged population(s). Identified opportunities to increase assets of high risk, underserved and/or disadvantaged communities such as by employing community members as staff in health programs, locating health service delivery sites in the community, negotiating purchasing contracts with local businesses for health service-related products. Establishes decision making links with high-risk, underserved and/or disadvantaged communities. Criteria- Demonstration that the organization has: Implemented a process to gather input from community leaders representing one or more high risk, underserved and/or disadvantaged population(s). Developed formal mechanisms to include community leaders in decision making roles such as through advisory committees, board representation, or other means. Partners with relevant providers and other community based organizations. Criteria- Demonstration that the organization has: Partnered with a wide variety of others including competitors and community based organizations to provide services effectively and efficiently to high risk, underserved and/or disadvantaged populations. Developed linkages with other related programs to promote continuity of care. Utilizes a community-oriented approach to program development. Criteria – Demonstration that the organization has incorporated the following dimensions into program development for high-risk, underserved and/or disadvantaged populations: Documentation of need from multiple perspectives including target population. Involvement of clients in program decision making and implementation. Partnerships with other relevant providers and community organizations. Incorporation of continuous quality improvement processes to identify/resolve problems and monitor outcomes. Inclusion of actions to promote financial sustainability of program(s).

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Projects must have the support of appropriate organizations and/or governmental units in the community where the project is to be carried out.To be eligible for consideration, projects must be efforts involving a not for profit tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization or association as a sponsor.The grant request must be submitted by an organization exempt from income tax under sec. 501 (c)(3), and designated as a public charity under section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2), of the Internal Revenue Code.  The grant/project must:be applicable to one of the following categories: Medical Research.reasonably ensure continued support after involvement by the Washington Square Health Foundation is discontinued.involve active participation by the sponsor which must be a not for profit tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization, institution, or association.demonstrably benefit others beyond the individual organization recipient of the grant.have an up-to-date annual community health care report for the Principles for Community Health Care submitted with your grant application to the Washington Square Health Foundation and posted on your organization’s website for public viewing. The link from your organization’s website must also be submitted to the Washington Square Health Foundation to be posted on our website in our Annual Report.

Ineligibility

Washington Square Health Foundation does not provide grants to section 509(a)(3) “supporting organizations.”The grant/project must not:involve liability to the Washington Square Health Foundation except to provide the amount of the grant benefita Washington Square Health Foundation Director;an employee of Washington Square Health Foundation; ora spouse, a lineal descendant (child or grandchild by blood or any legally adopted child), a spouse of a lineal descendant, or an ancestor (parent or grandparent by blood) of any living Washington Square Health Foundation Director or Washington Square Health Foundation employee.duplicate any existing Foundation grant.involve the purchase of land or the payment of general administration costs for the sponsoring organization.involve the establishment of a permanent foundation or trust or a permanent interest-bearing account, or involve support for the general operating costs of any organization.involve any of the following:carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempt to influence legislation.restrict the services or facilities or employment provided by the grant to individuals based on race, creed, color, sex or national origin.involve construction or capital fund raising campaigns.Washington Square Health Foundation, Inc. funds may not be used to pay for any operating and/or administrative expenses including but not limited to fringe benefits, office furniture and computer equipment utilized for administrative record keeping, etcGuidelines for HIV/AIDS Projects:The following types of projects are not recommended for current funding consideration:Clinical and biomedical research regarding HIV/AIDs because of the availability of federal and pharmaceutical fundingPrevention programs because of the availability of state, local and other foundation fundingHealth services research/policy questions such as HIV/AIDS within managed care because of national projects already underway in this areaMedication coverage for patients because of the enormous cost per patient ($9-12,000 per year)