Spark Grants

Vitalyst Health Foundation, a private Arizona-based philanthropic organization, is committed to improving health outcomes across communities in the state. The Foundation focuses on enhancing systems through collaborative efforts and supports initiatives that foster long-term change through capacity building and strategic funding. Among its key offerings is the Spark Grants program, which serves as a planning grant for collaboratives aiming to implement systemic health-related transformations. Spark Grants are designed for Arizona-based collaboratives composed of two or more organizations. The lead entity must be a nonprofit or a fiscally sponsored organization serving Arizona. These grants focus on the early planning stages of systems change projects—by the end of the grant term, recipients should have developed a roadmap including calculated costs and necessary steps toward implementation. The grants encourage initiatives that improve community health by addressing disparities and targeting systemic barriers. Specific areas of focus include issues aligned with the Elements of a Healthy Community, which incorporate determinants like food systems, justice, housing, and other health-related infrastructures. Each Spark Grant provides up to $25,000 over a one-year period. The funding is intended strictly for planning purposes and cannot be used for direct services, capital expenses, fundraising sponsorships, or indirect costs associated with academic institutions. Successful proposals must clearly define the component of the system targeted for change and articulate how the intended intervention will positively impact health equity. Eligibility is limited to collaboratives that demonstrate readiness and a clear purpose. While the Foundation does not match applicants with coalition partners, it offers related resources like the Technical Assistance Grant and the Arizona Together for Impact Fund for capacity building. Letters of support or MOUs are strongly encouraged to strengthen applications. Funding may be distributed internally by the lead organization or as agreed upon by collaborative members. Applicants must complete an initial Discovery Intake to be considered for submission. Vitalyst reviews submissions biannually, with deadlines typically falling in October and May. For the current cycle, the upcoming deadlines are October 9, 2025, and May 7, 2026. Grants are evaluated on alignment with Vitalyst's mission, systems-change potential, community benefit, and planning feasibility. Contact for the program is provided through a centralized email and phone number.

Emphasize coalition readiness; include support letters to strengthen application