Field Work: Health

The LOR Foundation's Field Work initiative is designed to fund innovative projects that address persistent challenges in rural communities. Each year, Field Work focuses on a different issue, and for 2025, the emphasis is on improving mental health and social well-being. The program aims to support innovative, community-led approaches by delivering funding directly to individuals and organizations in rural areas of the Mountain West. This includes not only locations where the foundation already operates but also other eligible rural regions. Rural communities often face significant barriers to mental health care, including a shortage of accessible resources and professionals. In response, Field Work encourages projects that provide creative solutions to these challenges. Past examples include community-led forums, training initiatives for youth, and therapeutic arts programs. The goal is to identify and amplify locally developed ideas that can spark change and be potentially replicated in other rural contexts. Grants will range from $1,000 to $25,000. Projects must be completed within a year and must include a clear innovation, a measurable result, and a reporting component. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities such as individuals, nonprofits, for-profits with charitable intent, schools, local governments, libraries, and informal community groups. Organizations awaiting or without 501(c)(3) status are eligible with appropriate documentation. Projects must benefit rural communities in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, or Wyoming, and align with the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy’s rural designation. Applications will be accepted starting May 12 and close on June 6, 2025. All applicants will be notified by the end of June. Application materials must include a description of the problem, project goals, innovation explanation, budget, and implementation timeline. Applicants must also ensure all proposed spending aligns with specific budget categories such as professional services (excluding existing staff pay), event materials, marketing, equipment, and travel. Successful applicants will receive half of the funds at project commencement and the remaining half after submitting a report due by September 30, 2025. Individuals and some business entities will need to provide tax documentation, and all projects must yield community-level benefits rather than individual or operational gains. For-profit applicants, for instance, must prove the charitable use of funds to avoid tax liabilities. Questions can be directed to connect@lorfoundation.org, and applicants are encouraged to watch the webinar linked in the FAQ section for more details. Offices are located in multiple states, and contact information for each regional office is provided for further assistance.