Drivers of Health Grants

The Physicians Foundation has released a Request for Proposals for the Drivers of Health program, seeking five medical associations to build capacity, develop resources, and collect data to support physicians in integrating Drivers of Health (DOH) into routine medical practice. DOH refers to the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, including issues such as food insecurity, housing instability, transportation difficulties, utility challenges, and interpersonal safety. Physicians consistently encounter these factors in patient care, and research from the Foundation demonstrates that access to healthy food, for example, directly affects the management of chronic disease. This funding opportunity is intended to strengthen the physician’s ability to recognize and address such factors in patient health. The Foundation is a public charity dedicated to advancing the work of practicing physicians, improving patient access to high-quality, cost-efficient care, and supporting the sustainability of medical practices. It accomplishes this mission through research, education, and innovative grantmaking that improves physician wellbeing, strengthens physician leadership, addresses drivers of health, and amplifies physician perspectives. The Drivers of Health RFP builds on survey findings showing that a majority of physicians believe meaningful progress in improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs is impossible without addressing DOH. Through this initiative, selected medical associations will recruit physicians to integrate or enhance DOH screenings and related resource navigation into their practices. Associations will also be asked to compile guides of existing community resources such as social service organizations addressing food insecurity or other key factors. Grantees will participate in virtual cohort check-ins, educational sessions, and a shared online platform designed for exchanging strategies and best practices. The program emphasizes collaboration between physicians and associations to design proposals that align with community and practice needs. The funding limit for this program is $75,000 per grantee, with projects expected to last one to two years. Awards will follow a structured payment and reporting schedule: 40 percent upon execution of the grant agreement, 40 percent midway through upon satisfactory submission of interim reports and evidence of at least 75 percent use of the initial funds, and the final 20 percent after submission of a complete and approved final report. Any unapproved or unspent funds must be returned. Grantees must ensure spending aligns with project goals, which include DOH integration, physician support, and community resource development. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit medical associations and medical foundations. Organizations must demonstrate capacity to engage in the program, recruit participating physicians, and compile relevant resources. They should also describe their current work, experience supporting practice-level changes, and the existing landscape around DOH in their state or region. Organizations with active grants from the Physicians Foundation focused on DOH are ineligible, though those with other types of active grants may apply. The Foundation has waived its usual one-grant-at-a-time rule for this opportunity. Proposals should include a project description, budget, and biographical sketches of key staff. Applications must be submitted through the Foundation’s online portal using access code DOH25. The RFP was released on 2025-08-11, with proposals due by 2025-09-08 at midnight Eastern Time. Funding decisions will be announced on 2025-10-31, and funded projects will begin on 2026-01-02. Applications will be evaluated on their relevance to physician needs, urgency in relation to the regional practice environment, and potential for strategic impact. Applicants are encouraged to engage physicians in the design of their proposals to strengthen their submissions. Applicants with questions may contact Rachel Rifkin, Senior Program Officer, at 617-391-3076 or by email at rrifkin@gmafoundations.com. The program represents a significant opportunity for physician associations to contribute to a broader shift toward addressing social and environmental conditions as critical determinants of health outcomes, while simultaneously supporting the sustainability of physician practices across the country.

Applicants are encouraged to involve physicians directly in proposal design and implementation. Participation in virtual community platforms and educational sessions will strengthen project outcomes