Equipment Grant Program

The Equipment Grant program, administered by the Superior Health Foundation, is designed to support tax-exempt organizations across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in acquiring health-related equipment that directly benefits the region’s residents. The Superior Health Foundation, committed to proactively supporting health and well-being across the Upper Peninsula, leads this initiative with an emphasis on strengthening local service delivery through tangible equipment investments. This program forms a key part of their broader mission to enhance regional health outcomes through responsive, community-aligned funding opportunities. This grant aims to fund equipment purchases that address a wide range of health-related needs. Eligible uses include items that improve treatment processes for patients or clients, enhance accessibility, expand organizational capacity, improve health-related transportation, and advance technology for better service delivery. However, requests for Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are no longer considered under this program. Awards typically range from $500 to $10,000 and are intended to provide targeted support for equipment acquisitions that align with the foundation’s criteria. Eligibility is limited to tax-exempt organizations based in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, particularly those working to improve health outcomes in the region. The Foundation prioritizes applications from grassroots groups, tribal communities, and small to medium-sized nonprofits. Organizations applying must demonstrate both their need for the equipment and the impact its purchase would have on their service delivery. The grant’s design intentionally supports smaller, community-based efforts where capital investments can have outsized impacts. While not required, applicants are encouraged to schedule a concept call or submit a one-page concept paper to discuss their project ideas with the program officer. This step provides helpful guidance to ensure alignment with the foundation’s funding priorities before a full application is submitted. Once prepared, applicants must register or log in to the foundation’s grant portal to formally apply. Each application should include a detailed equipment budget with pricing information, quotes, or invoices where available. Letters of support are welcomed but not mandatory. The selection process is managed solely by the Superior Health Foundation’s Board of Directors. Proposals are evaluated based on how well they align with the foundation’s goals, including the relevance of the equipment to health services, the demonstrated community need, the expected impact in terms of residents served, and the long-term sustainability of the equipment. Award decisions are also contingent upon available funds in each quarter. Grant cycles are offered quarterly in 2026, with application deadlines set for January 8 (Q1), March 11 (Q2), July 8 (Q3), and September 9 (Q4). Concept calls or papers for each quarter are due approximately one week prior to each application deadline. Awards are typically announced about two months after each submission period. While recipients are not required to submit a formal final report, they are expected to provide photographs of the equipment in use, along with a copy of the purchase invoice or budget.