Innovation in Healthcare Grant

The Innovation in Healthcare Open Call Grant, offered by the Patterson Family Foundation, is designed to stimulate the development of new and pilot healthcare programs in rural communities across Kansas and western Missouri. With an emphasis on access, sustainability, and replication, this grant opportunity supports forward-thinking initiatives that address existing service gaps and contribute to long-term improvements in rural health outcomes. The Foundation recognizes that rural areas often face systemic challenges in healthcare delivery and seeks to fund solutions that can scale across similarly situated communities. This grant supports projects that are evidence-based and rooted in community need. Funded initiatives should either introduce new healthcare services that are currently unavailable or significantly enhance access to existing care. The Foundation encourages applicants to demonstrate a deep understanding of rural health dynamics and to build programs that are both operationally feasible and financially sustainable. Programs should be designed with the intent to replicate outcomes across other rural counties or regions. To that end, grantees are expected to report on measurable program outcomes, impacts on local health, lessons learned during implementation, and progress toward replicability or long-term viability. The scope of eligible activities includes launching innovative health services, piloting essential programs not currently present in rural settings, and advancing new approaches to promote community health and wellbeing. Projects must contribute to expanding access to healthcare and improving quality of life in rural areas. Interventions may include physical or behavioral health services, preventive care models, or integrated approaches to addressing the social determinants of health. The Foundation does not support duplicative programs unless a clear innovation component is presented. Applicants must be located in or serve one or more of the Foundation’s 119 designated rural counties in Kansas and western Missouri—defined as those with fewer than 50,000 residents. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public school districts, and government entities. Fiscal sponsorship is permitted for organizations that do not meet eligibility criteria, provided that the sponsor agrees to participate in the due diligence process and submits the required documentation. Priority will be given to applications that outline a compelling case for innovation, clearly define desired health outcomes, and show potential for scale. The application process requires organizations to register in the Foundation’s Grants Portal and submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). If the LOI is approved, the applicant is invited to complete a full proposal that includes narrative responses, project budget, organizational financials, and optional supporting materials. In 2026, Round 1 LOIs are due February 18 and full applications are due by April 3. For Round 2, LOIs are due May 13 and applications must be submitted by June 29. Award decisions are announced in June and September, with funds disbursed the following month. The Foundation emphasizes that submission does not guarantee funding. All awards are made through a formal letter and only after a competitive review process. For questions, applicants may contact program staff through the Grants Portal or reach out via the foundation’s official email. Once confirmed, grantees may publicly announce their funding. The Foundation encourages transparency, outcome tracking, and knowledge-sharing to advance best practices in rural healthcare innovation.

Highlight evidence base, replication potential, and long-term sustainability.