Responsive Grants Program

The Sisters Health Foundation Responsive Grants Program is designed to assist nonprofit organizations and public institutions addressing systemic challenges in communities across selected counties in West Virginia and Ohio. The Foundation is a ministry of the Congregation of St. Joseph and has a longstanding mission of supporting health and well-being initiatives, particularly in underserved or rural regions. This program provides financial support for organizations tackling persistent, structural problems such as homelessness, limited access to healthcare, and inadequate transportation systems. Grants under this program can be used for a wide range of purposes, including specific projects, organizational capacity building, the acquisition of equipment or technology, capital improvements, and general operating support. Award amounts typically range between $18,000 and $20,000. In select instances, if the funding request is $5,000 or less and aligns closely with the Foundation’s priorities, the Foundation may make award decisions based solely on the Letter of Inquiry, bypassing the full application process. Applicants must be recognized as tax-exempt nonprofits under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be public institutions. The proposal must address at least one of the Foundation's three priority areas: Healthy Eating and Active Living, Thriving Neighborhoods, or Mental Health and Addiction. Furthermore, projects must have a direct impact on residents in at least one of the counties in the Foundation's 11-county service area. Eligible counties include Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt, and Wood in West Virginia, and Athens, Meigs, and Washington in Ohio. The application process is divided into two stages. First, interested organizations must submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through the Foundation’s online portal by the published deadline. LOIs submitted via email or hard copy are not accepted. If the LOI meets the Foundation's criteria, the applicant may be invited to submit a full application and participate in a site visit or meeting. After the full application is submitted, it is evaluated by Foundation staff and the Grants Committee, with final funding decisions made by the Board of Directors. Grant cycles occur twice a year, in the spring and fall. For the spring 2025 cycle, LOIs are due by January 22, with full applications (if invited) due by March 12 at noon. For the fall 2025 cycle, LOIs are due July 16 and full applications are due by September 3 at noon. Applicants for awards exceeding $5,000 will be notified of funding decisions in May or November, depending on the cycle. Evaluation criteria include mission alignment, project quality and feasibility, budget accuracy, organizational capacity, and measurable outcomes. For questions regarding the application process, applicants can contact Shei Sanchez at 304-424-6080 ext. 1 or via email at ssanchez@sistershealthfdn.org. Instructions, tips, and video tutorials are also available on the Foundation’s website to assist applicants in navigating the online system. This structured approach ensures that projects selected for funding are well-planned, strategically aligned with the Foundation’s mission, and poised to generate sustainable community impact.