FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HEALTH CARE

• What is meant by “caring attitudes” and what kinds of programs are of interest to the Trustees?
  
  Our Trustees’ broad interest is in supporting programs that advance the human dimensions of medical care.  Caring attitudes often involve qualities such as effective communication, expression of compassion and empathy, as well as awareness of and sensitivity to how these factors impact the well-being of a patient.  Trustee’s current focus is changing the culture of health care to be more attentive to the emotional, psychological and spiritual needs of patients.  This includes integrating caring attitudes into the training of health care providers, especially physicians.  Programs with emphasis on integrating caring attitudes throughout the delivery system are also important. 

• Are both public and private institutions eligible for grants under the Health Care Program?
  
  Yes.

• Do the Foundations continue to support hospice?
  
  During the early years of hospice, grants were made through a separate program and many local hospice organizations received support.  Several years ago, the Foundations determined hospice to be well-established and grants to support hospice and end-of-life were incorporated into the overall Health Care program.  With the emphasis on caring attitudes, hospice and end-of-life concerns can be pertinent to the interests described above and several grants have been awarded.  However, programs requesting support need to be innovative, have potential for significant national impact, and meet the Health Care program’s other criteria.   

• Who should submit a proposal?
  
  We do not accept proposals from offices of development, foundation relations or principal investigators and project directors.  Proposals should come from the head of an independent nonprofit organization such as a medical center or hospital or, in the case of large universities with multiple schools and colleges, the vice-president or dean of the school of medicine or other health profession.

• How long should a Health Care proposal be?
  
  An initial proposal is generally four to five pages with an attached budget and any other important materials necessary for a full and fair review.  It is important to convey the “who, what, when, where and how” aspects of a request.  We also ask that plans for replication and sustainability be addressed.  In some cases, an attached timeline is helpful.  The initial evaluation screens out proposals that are not likely to be competitive in relation to others received.  For those that remain, additional questions may be asked in a follow-up letter from our executive director.

• How should the budget be presented?
  
  Most budgets are attached and presented in a single page.  We are interested in seeing a “global” line item budget showing requested support from the Foundations in context with what others will contribute to the total program cost.  For example, a university, medical center, or other non-profit organization seeking support for a project should show the total cost outstanding after contributed costs and services are committed.  It is not unusual for institutions to include overhead/indirect costs as part of what they would contribute to the effort.

• If we submit a proposal seeking funds over two or three years, should our request be distributed evenly?  
  
  No.  We give flexibility in meeting needs.  For example, a $200,000 grant could be spread out evenly over three years or structured so that $100,000 is appropriated in the first year, $50,000 in the second year and $50,000 in the final year.  Splitting a grant evenly over two to four years is acceptable as well.  Approved grants are normally paid in a lump sum.

Please click on the following links to see the FAQ sections for each program area.

General
Private Higher Education
Secondary Education
Religion