Health Equity Fund

The Health Equity Fund is a program administered by the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH), a private philanthropic organization dedicated to addressing health inequities and improving the well-being of all Missourians. This fund represents a continuation and rebranding of the former Opportunity Fund. The Health Equity Fund is grounded in MFH’s strategic commitment to dismantling systemic barriers to health and advancing equitable conditions across Missouri. The fund emphasizes that health is shaped by social determinants such as affordable housing, access to education, economic stability, and environmental quality, not just clinical care. This grant program is designed to support bold, community-driven initiatives that tackle the root causes of health disparities. It invests in efforts that go beyond treating symptoms, focusing instead on disrupting the systems and structures that create and maintain health inequities. The fund prioritizes work that seeks to reshape policies, redirect resources, and build community power. Examples of supported efforts include raising the minimum wage, advocating for paid leave, and reforming the foster care system to prevent family separation. MFH invites a broad spectrum of strategies under the Health Equity Fund, including piloting innovative models for long-term change, building cross-sector coalitions, community organizing, and advocacy. The fund values collaborative and strategic initiatives that are rooted in the lived experiences of those most impacted by health disparities. Outcomes sought include changes to institutional policies and practices, realignment of resources like budgets and data, sustained coalitions, and increased community capacity to drive systems change. The Health Equity Fund does not support proposals that seek to replace expired federal funding for direct services, nor does it support initiatives that fall within MFH’s existing issue-based funding strategies. These excluded topic areas include behavioral and mental health, harm reduction, substance use, contraceptive access, crisis response and justice system diversion, firearm injury and death prevention, food systems, infant and maternal health, and Medicaid expansion. Applicants in these categories are directed to alternative funding routes within MFH. To initiate the application process, interested organizations must submit a concept paper outlining their proposed work. This preliminary submission allows MFH staff to assess alignment with the fund’s priorities and invite full proposals selectively. The deadline for concept paper submission is noon on August 26. No specific opening date or award date is listed, but accepted applicants will receive further instructions for full proposal development upon invitation. Applicants are encouraged to review the Health Equity Fund FAQ and glossary for detailed definitions and assessment criteria. For further inquiries, they are invited to use the contact form on the Missouri Foundation for Health website and select “funding or partnering opportunity.” The foundation seeks to build upon the impact already made by its partners and continues to support those working toward a Missouri where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.