Responsive Grants Program

The Responsive Grants Program, administered by the Sisters Health Foundation, is designed to support organizations addressing systemic challenges within their communities, including transportation access, healthcare, and food and housing insecurity. This program seeks to strengthen community resilience through project funding, capacity building, equipment and technology acquisition, capital improvements, or general operating support. With average grants ranging from $18,000 to $20,000, the program offers meaningful funding to organizations striving to create measurable impact. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt nonprofits under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and public institutions. The proposed initiatives must align with at least one of the foundation’s three priority areas: Healthy Eating, Active Living; Thriving Neighborhoods; or Mental Health and Addiction. Additionally, organizations may only apply once within a 12-month period to either this program or the Basic Needs/Direct Service Program. Eligible projects must benefit residents within the foundation’s 11-county service region spanning parts of West Virginia and Ohio, including Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt, Wood (WV) and Athens, Meigs, and Washington (OH). The application process follows a structured two-stage pathway. Initially, applicants must submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through the foundation’s online application portal by the specified deadline. Paper or emailed submissions are not accepted. SHF staff then review the LOIs for alignment with foundation priorities and mission. Requests under $5,000 may be approved based solely on the LOI, while others may proceed to a site visit phase. Following this, some applicants will be invited to submit a full grant application. Flexible funding is also available through this program, allowing previously funded organizations to address emerging needs in alignment with SHF’s mission. To be considered for flexible funding, organizations must be 501(c)(3) or public entities (excluding municipalities and county governments), must have previously received a grant from SHF, and must demonstrate a strong mission alignment. Consideration for flexible funding is based on conversations during the site visit phase. Applications are reviewed according to six core evaluation criteria: mission fit, project quality, implementation plan, budget alignment, organizational capacity, and measurable outcomes. Final funding determinations are made by the SHF Board of Directors following recommendations from staff and the Grants Committee. Grant notification for awards greater than $5,000 typically occurs in May for the spring cycle and November for the fall cycle—approximately 19 weeks after the LOI submission. The next upcoming LOI deadline is January 21, 2026, for the spring cycle. Applicants selected to submit a full application must do so by March 11, 2026, with notification of awards to follow in May. The fall cycle dates are still to be determined. Organizations are encouraged to review LOI tips, question lists, and FAQs provided on the SHF website. For assistance, applicants may contact Shei Sanchez at 304-424-6080 ext. 1 or via email at ssanchez@sistershealthfdn.org.

Emphasize strong mission alignment and clearly defined measurable outcomes. Ensure project goals and implementation steps are well-documented.