Grant Application and Guidelines
Each grant is an investment of taxpayer dollars to improve the health of District residents.
In accordance with the District's mission and strategic plan, the grant program funds qualified nonprofit and governmental grantees making positive impacts on community health. Since its inception in 1998, the District’s grant program has provided more than $22 million to improve the lives of District residents.
Committee
The Program Committee recommends grant making policy to the Board, guides and monitors District grant making functions and program-related activities. The committee meets at the District office at 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, except August.
Program Priorities
Grants are available to organizations whose activities improve residents' health within one or more focus areas of the District's strategic plan. Through investment of its grant dollars, the District supports programs, organizations and community collaborations with potential for achieving measurable results. Consideration is given to projects or organizations that:
- Have proven records of success
- Have potential to impact the greatest numbers of District residents
- Can demonstrate the greatest potential to positively change health-related behaviors
- Are based on research and/or best practices that demonstrate effectiveness
- Have data available to measure progress, outcomes and relevance
Amount and Duration of Grants
There is no minimum or maximum grant amount. Historically, grants have ranged from a few thousand dollars for small projects up to one million dollars for significant capital projects. The amount available for a particular grant will vary depending upon many factors including the District's overall budget, the amount requested for the proposed program, the applicant's organizational budget and the project's impact on residents' health.
Grants are typically for one year or less.
Available Types of Grant Requests
Each type of request has a unique online application form.
| Request Type | Type of support |
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Improving District Lives The majority of grant requests for new or existing projects seeking to achieve measurable results in one or more of the District’s strategic plan objectives |
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Food Assistance Grant |
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Capital Improvements |
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Achievement Building |
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| Access Your Existing Application |
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Eligibility
The District awards grants only to organizations exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code or equivalent exemption; such as a public/governmental agency, program or institution.
Organizations must directly serve residents of the Desert Healthcare District. Agencies physically located outside District boundaries may be eligible for funds upon demonstration that the residents of the District will be proportionately served.
Funding Restrictions
The District will generally NOT support the following:
- Individuals
- Endowment campaigns
- Retirement of debt
- Annual campaigns, fundraising events or expenses related to fundraising
- Programs that proselytize or promote any particular religion or sect, or deny services to potential beneficiaries based upon religious beliefs
- Expenses related to lobbying public officials
- Political campaigns or other partisan political activities
- Unfunded government mandates
- Replacement funds to allow funding to be shifted to other programs or budget areas
Projects that fall outside the District's guidelines will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
How to Apply
Step 1: Before starting an application, please to contact the Chief Program Officer (CPO). Explain your concept and be prepared to answer detailed questions. During this "pre-proposal conference," the CPO can provide valuable direction for a new application. Call (760) 323-6700 or email .
Step 2: You will be mailed an email link to the appropriate grant application. Click the link, then follow the instructions.
TIP—when you first open the online application, select "Printer Friendly Version" to see all the information you will be asked. It's easier to create text fields in Word or a similar program so you can edit, spell check then copy/paste into the appropriate fields of the online application. Applications have limited formatting options so don't spend time making your document elaborate (numbering, bullets and indents are okay). You can save and return to your application at any time. We strongly recommend spell checking and reviewing your work.
Step 3: compile and attach the required supporting documents for your request. See Resources for Grantees to download required budget forms.
Step 4: email the application to the CPO for review BEFORE you submit. At the top of the online form, there is a box to "email" it before you "submit," send the email to . IMPORTANT: once you click "Submit," you can no longer edit or change your application; if it contains errors or needs revision, you must withdraw that application and begin anew.
Review Process
Staff performs due diligence on all requests prior to submitting them to the Program Committee (PC). The PC then makes its recommendation to the Board for their decision to approve, decline or request additional information. The process may take from one month to several months depending upon many factors, including: the project itself, clarity and completeness of the application, timeliness providing requested additional information, the number of other pending requests and scheduled meeting dates of the Program Committee and/or Board of Directors.
You receive an e-mail confirming receipt of submitted applications. District staff will be in touch to discuss your proposal and to follow-up with any additional questions. A site visit or meeting to further discuss proposed activities may be scheduled. When your application is complete and ready for review by the Program Committee, you will be invited to attend. Program Committee meetings are held at 10:00 a.m. the second Tuesday of every month except August. Should the PC recommend your request to the Board, you will be invited to attend that meeting as well. At any point during the process, please do not hesitate to contact District Staff with questions or concerns. Note: all District meetings are open to the public.
Grant Administration
When a grant is awarded, requirements, reporting and payment schedules are specified as a condition of the grant and written into the contract agreement. Generally, grantees will be required to make periodic progress reports and a final report at the end of the grant. Through progress reports the District monitors its investment in programs and projects, requiring grantees to substantiate how residents are being served and how measurable outcomes are meeting the District's mission and strategic objectives.
