The Health Care Foundation Grant

The Health Care Foundation offers a competitive annual grant opportunity designed to support nonprofit organizations that promote physical and mental health within Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties in Washington State. Founded to serve the healthcare needs of the communities surrounding Longview, Washington, the Foundation allocates its resources to nonprofit agencies and public charities that address local health issues through sustainable and measurable programs. The Foundation prioritizes one-time funding requests, particularly those aimed at equipment purchases, and does not support projects with religious purposes or those lacking nonprofit status under the Internal Revenue Code. To be considered, organizations must hold a valid 501(c) status and must have submitted all required reports for previously awarded grants. First-time applicants are required to include proof of nonprofit status with their application. The Foundation highly values proposals that exhibit scientific validity, strong planning, and sound methodologies. Projects should begin with a clearly defined problem and present measurable outcomes. Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate the sustainability of their programs beyond the funding period. If funding is intended to support operating expenses, applicants must provide a detailed plan for continued financing after the grant period ends. All proposed projects must be implemented by December 31, 2026. If an organization requires additional time, they must contact the Foundation in advance to request a timeline extension, as failure to complete the project or communicate needs may result in the revocation of awarded funds. As part of its fundraising efforts, the Foundation encourages applicants to consider participating in its Challenge Donation Program. Through this program, organizations can receive a dollar-for-dollar match from the Foundation for funds they raise independently toward the proposed project, up to a specified challenge amount. Evaluation criteria include local relevance, innovation, measurable results, strong leadership, and clear collaborations. Proposals must reflect needs specific to the Cowlitz and Wahkiakum areas rather than broader state or national trends. The Foundation looks for credible leadership within the applying organizations, including technical and managerial expertise, and encourages partnerships that enhance project execution. Clear project objectives, methods, and metrics must be outlined to facilitate evaluation during the grant and reporting periods. Applications must be submitted via mail and must include a signed and dated grant authorization page, the 2026 grant application form, a grant narrative, and all required appendices. Each component must be provided in 16 total copies (one original and 15 duplicates), collated and prepared without staples. Submissions must be postmarked by January 31, 2026, and applicants will be notified of award decisions by April 1, 2026. The Foundation explicitly requires printed materials to be prepared for binder use and will return improperly formatted submissions. Required appendices include a detailed program budget, the agency’s operating budget, previous grant reports (if applicable), a list of board members and their occupations, the most recent audited financial report, fundraising materials, the latest IRS Form 990, and the IRS exemption letter. Applicants are urged to follow all application instructions precisely and to ensure that all signatures, dates, and supporting materials are complete and included before mailing. For additional information, applicants may contact the Foundation by phone or email.

Use local data, focus on measurable results, avoid replicating existing programs; do not include national statistics; follow formatting rules strictly