Jefferson Health Care Foundation Fund

The Jefferson Health Care Foundation Fund was created in 2014 as a field-of-interest grantmaking initiative with the explicit goal of improving healthcare and general wellbeing among residents of Jefferson County. Managed by the East Tennessee Foundation, this fund supports projects that promote accessible, affordable, and innovative healthcare solutions for this geographically specific population. While the funder does not require that organizations be physically located within Jefferson County, all proposed activities must clearly benefit the county's residents and demonstrate a strong local presence. The foundation encourages applicants to bring forward creative strategies for addressing healthcare and wellbeing challenges. Broad funding priorities allow applicants to tailor solutions that are most appropriate to their areas of expertise and community knowledge. Example initiatives include expanding access to primary, mental, dental, and vision care; addressing transportation barriers to healthcare facilities; improving health literacy; offering preventive services such as early detection; addressing opioid addiction; purchasing essential medical equipment; and promoting healthy food access and lifestyle changes. Projects that serve underserved or low-income Jefferson County residents receive special consideration. Grant awards range from $5,000 to $50,000 for most projects. However, funding requests up to $100,000 will be considered for proposals involving substantial capital needs, such as the purchase of major medical equipment or significant infrastructure upgrades. Grants are awarded in November for a 10-month period running from November 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026. The application process for this grant opened on August 8, 2025, and will close on September 5, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. No pre-application steps or gating phases are required for this funding opportunity. Interested applicants must submit a complete application through the foundation's grant portal. The foundation provides a tutorial for navigating the application platform to assist applicants. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) public charities, government entities, and public educational institutions. Emerging groups without nonprofit status may apply with a fiscal sponsor. Applicants must be able to provide documentation such as IRS determination letters, operating budgets, board member rosters, staff lists, and recent financial records. Faith-based organizations may apply, provided their projects are not limited by religious content or participation requirements. Questions should be directed to members of the East Tennessee Foundation’s Grantmaking Team: Ashley Siferd Butler, Director of Competitive Grants, and Brooke Anguiano, Assistant Director of Grantmaking & Operations. They can be reached via email at grantmaking@etf.org or by phone at (865) 524-1223 or toll-free at (877) 524-1223. The foundation's physical address is 520 W. Summit Hill Drive, Suite 1101, Knoxville, TN 37902.