FAQs
About Healthcare Georgia Foundation
When will these goals and objectives be met?
Does Healthcare Georgia Foundation have a Diversity Policy? If so, what is it?
Does Healthcare Georgia Foundation have a Diversity Policy? If so, what is it?
1) What is the Foundation’s mission?
The Foundation’s Mission is to “advance the health of all Georgians and to expand access to affordable, quality healthcare for underserved individuals and communities.”
The Foundation’s Mission is to “advance the health of all Georgians and to expand access to affordable, quality healthcare for underserved individuals and communities.”
Healthcare Georgia Foundation is a private, independent foundation. As such, our mission reflects: 1) the responsibility we assume as a steward of public resources resulting from the merger of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia with Wellpoint Health Networks, and 2) our obligation to assure that these resources benefit the health of Georgians.
3) What goals and objectives have been set for the Foundation that supports the long-term achievement of this mission?
Guided by our mission statement, Healthcare Georgia Foundation’s grantmaking goals are to:
- Protect and promote the health of individuals, families and communities throughout Georgia
- Improve the availability, quality, appropriateness and financing of health care services
- Integrate and coordinate efforts to improve health and health care services
4) What information did the Foundation consider when developing its goals, structure and grantmaking priorities?
The Foundation’s goals and structure are based on an analysis of statewide health data and community input. The Foundation examined the magnitude and severity of existing health problems; national, state and local health trends; and community assets and promising programs. Communities throughout the state provided the Foundation with evidence of local health problems, public demand for action, and effective local programs and policies. As a result, the Foundation’s grantmaking priorities reflect the state’s health needs with a focus on enabling better health care access by underserved individuals and communities.
The Foundation’s grantmaking priorities were developed as a result of conversations with service providers, representatives of nonprofit health organizations, policymakers, elected officials, funders and leading health experts in Georgia.
In June/July, 2002, the Foundation conducted its first Listening Tour (a series of 10 sessions throughout the state). The Listening Tour sessions provided valuable input (i.e. local examples of promising programs and best practices) and a better understanding of the most effective ways to work with communities in Georgia.
6) Is the Foundation’s mission subject to periodic review and could it ever be changed?
The Foundation will periodically review progress with respect to its mission and the achievement of its goals. It is unlikely that our mission and organizational goals will change; however our grantmaking strategies and priority areas will evolve over time.
The Foundation will periodically review progress with respect to its mission and the achievement of its goals. It is unlikely that our mission and organizational goals will change; however our grantmaking strategies and priority areas will evolve over time.
The Foundation goals are long term and require strategic, focused and sustained attention. We will continuously monitor our progress and make corrections/enhancements along the way. Our goals reflect the Foundation’s commitment to seek both sustained improvements in the health of all Georgians and improvements in the health system for underserved individuals and communities.
8) Does Healthcare Georgia Foundation have a Diversity Policy? If so, what is it?
Yes, Healthcare Georgia Foundation does have a Diversity Policy which encompasses, but is not limited to age, gender, race, national origin (ethnicity), religious beliefs, physical abilities and characteristics, sexual orientation, economic circumstances and lifestyle. To review the Foundation's Diversity Policy, please click here.
Yes, Healthcare Georgia Foundation does have a Diversity Policy which encompasses, but is not limited to age, gender, race, national origin (ethnicity), religious beliefs, physical abilities and characteristics, sexual orientation, economic circumstances and lifestyle. To review the Foundation's Diversity Policy, please click here.
The beneficiaries of the Foundation’s grantmaking include the underserved residents of Georgia and the public and private nonprofit system of health services and supports.
2) What will change for beneficiaries if the Foundation is effective?
Successfully accomplishing the mission means that our grantmaking will advance the health of all Georgians and improve access to affordable, quality healthcare for underserved individuals and communities. Through the work of our grantees, individuals, organizations and communities will have enhanced their capacity to improve the effectiveness of health services and supports.
Successfully accomplishing the mission means that our grantmaking will advance the health of all Georgians and improve access to affordable, quality healthcare for underserved individuals and communities. Through the work of our grantees, individuals, organizations and communities will have enhanced their capacity to improve the effectiveness of health services and supports.
In the summer of FY 2002, the Foundation established initial grantmaking priorities reflecting prevalent health problems; the disproportionate burden of morbidity, mortality and disability among underserved individuals; and statewide public input on perceived opportunities to advance the health of all Georgians.
Effective August 2, 2002, the Foundation is accepting Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) in response to the following grantmaking priority areas:
Addressing Health Disparities
Healthcare Georgia Foundation can do much to encourage and strengthen the State’s capacity, leadership, readiness and focus for eliminating high disparity conditions. Consistent with our mission and goals, such grantmaking would focus on creating the necessary conditions to address the commonly agreed causes of health disparities – unequal access to healthcare and treatment; socio-cultural and informational barriers that prevent full access to quality health information and service utilization; and the inadequate supply of appropriate, well-trained health care providers.
In the initial phase of this priority area, the Foundation might undertake several types of grants (i.e. including but not limited to research, leadership development, capacity building, direct service, and evaluation) all aimed at one of six strategic goals – strengthening the base of science; supporting strategic communications and awareness building; strengthening multi-stakeholder, cross-sector partnerships; developing and enforcing innovative policies, laws and regulations; linking communities to necessary personal and population health services; and finally assuring that an adequate, competent workforce exists to address future differences in health status and healthcare.
Specifically, the Foundation will pursue the following three pronged approach: 1) promote effort to deepen statewide public awareness about health disparities; 2) energize local scholars and researchers to solidify our knowledge of how to effectively eliminate disparities; and 3) support various convenings of state, regional, local and community leadership to build systems capacity and readiness.
Strengthening Nonprofit Health Organizations
Healthcare Georgia Foundation proposes to allocate grant funds for organizational improvement. Organizational Improvement grants will be awarded to eligible organizations for the purpose of strengthening and sustaining their capacity to fulfill their mission, and underscores the Foundation’s commitment to assist underserved populations and the organizations that serve them.
Applicant organizations may range in size and scope -- from a larger, well-established nonprofit to a smaller nonprofit that may be lacking core operating support, yet is serving a vital and unfilled need in its area.
The types of health-related nonprofits includes -- a community health clinic, substance abuse program, a rural health center, AIDS/HIV clinic, senior centers, reproductive health clinic, or a healthcare advocacy group. As a result, the Foundation will have evidence of strengthening and sustaining the private nonprofit safety net system of organizations working with underserved individuals, families and communities.
Expanding Access to Primary Healthcare
Primary care is the provision of integrated, accessible health services by clinicians responsible for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs, developing sustained partnerships with patients and practicing in the context of family and community. A primary care provider provides patients with a medical home and place to receive a range of health services and supports.
It is the primary care provider that guides patients through the healthcare delivery system, and facilitates patient participation in decisions about their health and healthcare. They create opportunities for disease prevention and health promotion as well as build bridges between personal healthcare delivery and patients’ families and communities. The six indicators of quality primary care include services and supports that are: accessible, acceptable, accountable, comprehensive, coordinated and continuous. Unequal access, treatment, and outcomes are symptomatic of an inadequate system of primary care. It is known that health disparities exist among populations defined by age, gender, economic, demographic, race, ethnicity and disability status.
Through strategic grantmaking, Healthcare Georgia Foundation can improve access to primary healthcare services by Georgia’s uninsured and underinsured population.
In an effort to provide a comprehensive, integrated and seamless system of health services, the Foundation’s technical and fiscal resources could support: applied research/practice-based and intervention research, work force development (Pre-Service or In-Service), leadership development and recognition, health policy analysis and advocacy, organizational improvement and the provision of preventative health services.
The Foundation will award grants that support:
- Policy Development and Advocacy
- Research and Evaluation
- Technical Assistance/Capacity Building
- Organizational Improvement
- Leadership Development and Recognition
- Direct Service Delivery
- Professional Development and Training
- Public Education and Awareness
The Foundation will engage in both proactive (solicited) and responsive (unsolicited) grantmaking. Proactive grantmaking will be carried out through an RFP process that addresses specific areas within our funding priorities. Responsive grantmaking will allow the Foundation to support unsolicited proposals that fit our mission and fall within our funding priorities.
4) Does the Foundation consider proposals related to emerging issues & interests?
The Foundation’s grantmaking priorities are broad and flexible, allowing us to consider emerging issues that are consistent with the Foundation’s mission.
The Foundation’s grantmaking priorities are broad and flexible, allowing us to consider emerging issues that are consistent with the Foundation’s mission.
5) Does the Foundation consider proposals related to urgent or emergency needs outside its priority areas?
Generally, no. The Foundation’s principal business is addressing urgent and emerging needs within its current funding priorities. While the Foundation will not abandon its grantmaking commitments; we will however, review our grantmaking priorities, progress and future directions on an ongoing basis.
6) What non-grant making activities does the Foundation pursue? How do these support the achievement of key strategic goals?
In addition to grantmaking, the Foundation will pursue its mission through its investment strategy, research, collaboration, networking convenings and efforts to disseminate lessons learned and best practices.
The grant application process begins with the submission of a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). This two-page letter describes the funding request specifying who, what, where, when, for whom and for what cost. LOIs will be reviewed by the Foundation within a 3-month period. If the LOI is in alignment with our funding priorities and receives a favorable review, the applicant will then be invited to submit a full proposal.
Unsolicited proposals should be submitted in a format consistent with the Foundation’s pre-defined proposal guidelines. This represents a 6- 8 page written application providing a financial request and description of the project or program to be funded.
Solicited proposals will be announced through an RFP process in which the Foundation’s defined scope of work is the basis for the applicant’s technical and financial request.
Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) are accepted anytime and do not have specific review deadlines. Applicants that are invited to submit a full proposal will be provided detailed information outlining the Foundation’s application procedures and deadlines.
I. Each applicant is required to submit a written 1-2 page Letter of Inquiry (LOI).
II. Each applicant invited to submit a proposal is required to provide or complete:
a. Application Cover Sheet
b. Proposed Scope of Work
c. Project Budget
d. Audited Financial Statement
e. Organization’s Current Operating Budget
f. A list of the Organization’s Board of Directors
g. IRS Determination Letter 501 (c)(3)
4) What is the timeline associated with the grant application review process?
The Foundation will acknowledge and review all Letters of Inquiry (LOI) within three months. We will request and review all proposals within 8-9 months. Declinations will be announced quarterly.
The Foundation will acknowledge and review all Letters of Inquiry (LOI) within three months. We will request and review all proposals within 8-9 months. Declinations will be announced quarterly.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors makes the final decisions with regard to the approval or declination of all funding requests.
Yes. However, the process begins again with the submission of a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). Ideally, the applicant should have a conversation with the appropriate Healthcare Georgia Foundation staff member regarding the request, the budget and the timing of the submission.
By awarding a grant, the Foundation executes a legal agreement with the grantee. The Foundation is not responsible for the fulfillment of the grant objectives. Nor do we have programmatic authority over the funded project. The desired relationship is one of partnership that is grounded in science and focused on results.
In addition to site visits, the Foundation will monitor the grantee’s use of funds through regular progress, technical and financial reports.
Grant amounts are determined according to the project’s scope and scale. The allocation of funds within a grant-approved budget is largely defined by the specific project workplan and objectives.
There are nine (9) volunteer members serving on Healthcare Georgia Foundation’s Board of Directors broadly representing the interests of the state.
