Grant Healthcare Foundation
/OVERVIEW: Not only does the Grant Healthcare Foundation support choice in reproductive care for women, but it is also a city leader in grantmaking for substance abuse treatment programs and programs that serve Chicago’s most vulnerable populations.
IP TAKE: Only health nonprofits in the Chicago metropolitan area are considered for GHF grants, and most grants are between $25,000 and $50,000. Your best bet it to pitch a proposal related to direct care for homeless Chicago residents, hospice care, or substance abuse treatment programs. This funder accepts letters of inquiry and posts guidelines and due dates on its website.
PROFILE: The Grant Healthcare Foundation (GHF) was established in 1996 from the proceeds of the sale of Chicago’s Grant Hospital. Grant Hospital was originally known as the German Hospital of Chicago in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. It made history for performing the first legal abortion in Chicago immediately following the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973. After 111 years of delivering care to Chicago residents, Grant Hospital was sold to Columbia Healthcare Corporation in 1994. With the proceeds of the sale and income from investments, GHF was formed. The foundation aims to “support services of organizations dedicated to improving the health of the people of the Chicago area.” Grantmaking areas of interest are direct medial services, mental health, comprehensive reproductive care services, preventative medical programs and improved access to physical and behavioral healthcare.
Not only does GHF support choice in reproductive care for women, but it is also a city leader in grantmaking for substance abuse treatment programs and programs that serve Chicago’s most vulnerable populations. In recent years, a majority of GHF grants have been going to direct service programs, followed closely by medical research, mental health and addiction and reproductive care programs. Some of GHF’s biggest grantees have been the University of Chicago’s Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes project, Sinai Health System, and Planned Parenthood of Illinois. Other recent grantees include the American Indian Health Service of Chicago, Center on Halsted, the Illinois College of Optometry, and Church of Our Savior Foot Clinic.
Foundation grants tend to be between $10,000 and $30,000. Review the list of past grants on the funder’s website. No organizations outside the Chicago metropolitan area are considered for GHF grants. As far as new grantees go, GHF is most interested in connecting with health nonprofits that provide direct services to lots of Chicago residents, increase access for vulnerable populations, develop models that can be adapted by other similar organizations, and already receive support from the community.
GHF accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry from local nonprofits. To apply for a GHF grant, complete a letter of inquiry, and find current deadlines on the Application Process page. If invited to submit a full application, those are typically due the first week of September. Direct LOIs and general questions to Executive Director Kate Grubbs O’Connor at 847-735-1590 or koconnor@granthealthcare.org.
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