Health Foundation of South Florida Grant Program

The Health Foundation of South Florida (HFSF) is a regional private philanthropic organization committed to improving health outcomes across South Florida. With a focus on equity and impact, the Foundation centers its grantmaking around three primary goal areas: Access to Care, Health and Social Needs, and Thriving Communities. Each area encompasses targeted strategies to address health disparities, support underserved populations, and build collaborative systems of care and support. Within the Access to Care domain, HFSF funds projects that expand access to insurance programs such as KidCare, Medicaid, and the ACA marketplace. The Foundation supports digital health innovations, alternative care delivery models like telehealth and community health workers, and strengthens safety net clinics. Additionally, policy and advocacy initiatives aimed at increasing healthcare availability and utilization are eligible for support. The Health and Social Needs goal area prioritizes integrated approaches to address the social determinants of health. HFSF seeks projects that build connections between health and social service providers, support adoption of shared digital referral platforms, and scale effective social needs interventions such as food pharmacies and medical-legal partnerships. The Foundation is also interested in supporting policy advocacy for sustainable financing of social needs interventions. In the Thriving Communities area, HFSF backs initiatives that link housing to health outcomes and empower community-based organizations and residents to advocate for housing policies. It funds health and housing pilot projects and efforts to preserve and expand affordable housing. Additionally, it supports the South Florida Anchor Alliance to strengthen inclusive economic practices, workforce pipelines, and local community investments through anchor institutions. Interested applicants must begin by submitting a Request Inquiry Form via the Foundation’s GOapply portal. This includes a brief organizational overview and project summary. If the project aligns with HFSF’s strategic goals, applicants may be invited to a co-development phase involving collaborative design sessions with program staff. Once finalized, proposals are reviewed by the HFSF Grant Committee and, if approved, presented to the Board of Directors. There are no strict deadlines for initial inquiries, as concept proposals are accepted year-round. However, final grant approvals are made by the Board during regular meetings held approximately four to five times per year, typically in March, June, September, and December. Selected projects will work closely with HFSF staff to finalize grant agreements and launch activities upon Board approval.

Strong alignment with one of the three focus areas is essential. Proposals should include measurable outcomes and demonstrate readiness for collaboration. Policy and advocacy work is encouraged where relevant.