| Grantmaking Guidelines
What We Fund
Geographic Focus and Target Populations
Applicant organizations must provide or plan to provide programs/services benefiting the health of residents in the Health Trust's primary geographic service area, which consists of three zip codes: 95076, 95019, and 95004. Communities within this service area include Watsonville, Pajaro, Freedom, and Aromas. The home office of the applicant organization need not be located in the Pajaro Valley, but the applicant organization must demonstrate that it provides or plans to provide services that directly benefit residents of the Pajaro Valley.
Core Grantmaking Program Areas
For projects to be eligible for funding they must address one or more of the Health Trust's current strategic program areas. The Health Trust has committed to focusing its program and grantmaking activities in the following areas through June 2015:
Please refer to the 2010-2015 Program Strategic Plan (PDF) for more information on the Health Trust’s strategic program areas and specific goals.
In addition to the four core grantmaking programs, the Health Trust remains committed to making a special effort to support programs and projects that serve the following populations: Children & Youth (Ages 0-21); Farm Workers and their Families; and Low-Income and Underserved Individuals
Types of Grant Support
The applicant organization must be a nonprofit, 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization; a school-based health program; or have a 501 (c) 3, tax-exempt organization as a fiscal sponsor. In general, the Health Trust's Board of Directors prefers not to fund programs or projects administered by a city, county, state, or federal government with the exception of school-based health programs. Other exceptions will be considered on a limited basis when the Board of Directors believes that funding a proposed project involving government will best serve the Trust's mission and goals as outlined in the Health Trust's strategic plan.
The Health Trust Board of Directors prefers to provide program/project support and does not generally provide capacity-building, core operating, or capital grants. Exceptions have been made when this type of support was included as part of a program/project grant.
Multi-year Grants
The Health Trust generally provides support for one year. Multi-year grants are rarely considered and only after accessing a number of factors, such as the feasibility of the program without multi-year funds and the benefits to the community. Funding from the Health Trust is not intended as a source of ongoing support.
Consecutive Years of Foundation Support
There is no strict policy about the number of years an organization is eligible to apply for additional support. For this reason availability of continued funding for a single project should not be assumed. Grantees are expected to seek funding from other sources for ongoing support.
What We Do Not Fund
In general, the Health Trust does not give grants to:
- Projects that do not substantially benefit residents of the Pajaro Valley.
- Projects and proposals unrelated to the Health Trust's mission, eligibility requirements, and current strategic plan funding priorities and objectives.
- Individuals, with the exception of the Health Trust's scholarship programs.
- Religious organizations for secular purposes.
- Endowments, building campaigns, annual fund appeals, fundraising events, or celebrations.
- Commercial ventures.
At the discretion of the Board, the Health Trust’s grantmaking policies may be modified in response to changing circumstances and priorities.
Grantmaking Philosophy
Commitment to Cultural Competency
The Health Trust believes that organizational performance is greatly enhanced when people of different backgrounds and perspectives are engaged in an organization's activities and decision-making process. It is with that belief in mind that the Health Trust requires all applicant organizations to have a nondiscrimination policy in place and show a commitment to developing and maintaining organizational cultural competency.
IMPLEMENT OUTCOME MEASURES TO TRACK PROGRESS IN THE HEALTH STATUS OF THE COMMUNITY: Through the establishment of long-term outcome measures, the Health Trust will be able to track fluctuations in the health status of the community, particularly in the Health Trust’s strategic program areas. These outcomes will provide direction in all program activities and will provide a strategic framework to which all grants can be aligned. To this end, all grants brought forward for funding will advance these outcome measures.
MAKE DATA-INFORMED DECISIONS: Utilizing the available data from trusted sources, such as the Community Assessment Project, the California Health Information Survey, the Surgeon General, and the County Health Department, the Health Trust will make informed decisions regarding program direction. The Health Trust will continue to access this information and use it to keep its programs relevant.
UTILIZE AGREED UPON PROGRAM DELIVERY APPROACHES: The Health Trust has identified specific program delivery approaches that dictate the program activities of the organization. These include grantmaking, convening, operating the Diabetes Health Center, and participating in other special projects approved by the board. This allows the Health Trust to focus on the activities that can have the greatest impact rather than taking on additional activities that would negatively impact the Health Trust’s resources and effectiveness.
STAY IN FOR THE LONG HAUL: It is imperative that the Health Trust set an example in the community as an organization that is willing to stay committed to its goals. As issues evolve, the Health Trust has evolved with them and will continue to support the areas of greatest need in our community until a significant impact can be seen.
BE FLEXIBLE AND RESPONSIVE: The Health Trust will strive to adhere to the strategic direction set forth by the Board; however, it must remain flexible in order to be able to respond to the most pressing needs of the community.
ADHERE TO BOARD APPROVED STRATEGIC PROGRAM AREAS AND TARGET POPULATIONS: The Board approves the direction of the Trust’s program activities. The Grants Review Committee will uphold these directions and keep abreast of the most relevant issues affecting the strategic program areas and target populations to maintain consistent support of the issues most important to the Trust.
Contact Us
For more information on our grantmaking programs or eligibility requirements, please contact Raquel Ramirez Ruiz, Director of Programs, phone 763-6456, or email grants@pvhealthtrust.org. For all other inquires, please contact:
Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust
85 Nielson Street
Watsonville, CA 95076
Tel (831) 761-5639
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