2024 Community Health Impact Program

The Community Health Impact program, supported by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, aims to foster bold ideas that empower communities to address their most critical health challenges. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission by investing in health-focused and community-based grantees, including grassroots organizations, neighborhood groups, and small to medium nonprofits, all committed to solutions driven by those directly affected by health issues. The program emphasizes building stronger, healthier communities throughout Michigan by responding to local needs and leveraging lived experiences. The target beneficiaries for this program are Michigan residents, with a particular focus on marginalized populations and those experiencing health disparities. The program aims to reduce health disparities, improve health equity, build community wellness, increase social integration, bolster community support systems, and expand community engagement efforts. These organizations work across a range of issues, from oral health to health literacy, demonstrating a broad commitment to improving public health outcomes across the state. The program prioritizes organizations that are deeply rooted in their communities and are developing solutions from the ground up. This focus is evident in the types of grantees supported, which include grassroots organizations and neighborhood groups. The program's theory of change appears to be centered on empowering local entities to create sustainable health improvements by fostering community-driven solutions and leveraging local expertise and lived experience. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a reduction in health disparities, increased health equity, stronger community wellness, improved social integration for marginalized groups, more robust community support systems, and expanded community engagement. Grant requests may not exceed a maximum budget of $150,000 and can be up to 2 years in duration, indicating a focus on impactful, yet appropriately scaled, projects. Eligible applicants include nonprofits recognized by the IRS, local units of government, and the State of Michigan, all serving Michigan residents, and possessing a current certified financial audit or independently reviewed financial statements, along with at least 1 FTE.