Community Health Equity Mini-Grants

Community Health Equity Mini-Grants

Now Accepting Applications!

Background

The Office of Health Equity at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is seeking applications for Community Health Equity Mini-Grants to support innovative community health equity projects in Bedford, Coffee, Davidson, Rutherford, Williamson, and Wilson Counties. These projects will address at least one of the needs prioritized by the community in VUMC's Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Please visit the OHE website for more information on past mini-grant recipients. 

Application Criteria

The CHNA seeks to better understand the community concerns related to health and healthcare, the social, economic, and environmental factors that impact health, the greatest needs and assets in communities, and strategies for improving community health and wellbeing. In the most recent CHNA process in Bedford, Coffee, Davidson, Rutherford, Williamson, and Wilson Counties, VUMC adopted the following health needs based on community input:

2023CHNAneeds

For more information on the prioritized needs, please review the most recent CHNA.

To advance community health equity related to these needs, this call for applications solicits projects that focus on historically marginalized or minoritized populations in Bedford, Coffee, Davidson, Rutherford, Williamson, or Wilson County. Historically minoritized or marginalized populations may include racial/ethnic minorities, individuals with limited socioeconomic status, sexual and gender minorities, rural residents that have inequitable access to resources, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those with limited access to healthcare and health insurance, among others who experience marginalization or social disadvantage.

All initiatives must address health equity. Strong proposals will clearly outline how the project addresses historical or present injustices, or barriers to a fair opportunity to attain one's full health potential. For more on health equity, please see the Advancing Health Equity Guide: A Guide to Language, Narrative and Concepts developed by the American Medical Association.

Priority will also be given to initiatives that focus on broader upstream systems change. These proposals will clearly state how the project goes beyond a one-time event or individual behavior change to address changes to policy, changes to a system or process, or changes to a physical environment. Please refer to this policy, systems, and environmental change resource for more information.

In addition to prioritizing the CHNA and health equity, priority for this funding cycle will be given to: 

  • Innovative pilots or proof of concept
  • Projects that address the following Social Drivers of Health: Housing, Food/Nutrition Insecurity, Transportation, Financial Insecurity, Interpersonal Safety
  • Projects addressing Mental Health and/or Substance Use 
  • Projects addressing Birth Equity  

Interested in Applying?

Please review the application guidelines and submission requirements included in the sections below. This cycle will include two rounds of review to allow for an extended application period. Applications must be submitted online via REDCap by October 14, 2024 or January 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM CST. You can submit your application using this application form. Please reach out to autumn.montgomery@vumc.org with any questions!

    • Community or faith-based organizations including advocacy groups, coalitions, neighborhood associations, community health centers and service providers in Bedford, Coffee, Davidson, Rutherford, Williamson, or Wilson County with 501(c)(3) non-profit status. Interested public agencies and organizations without 501(c)(3) status are encouraged to apply in partnership with an eligible 501(c)(3) organization that may serve as the fiscal agent. Academic institutions may be collaborators on projects but are not eligible to apply.   
    • Selected organizations must complete a 1-hour training on the foundations of health equity. This training, called Seeds of Equity, provides a deeper understanding of health equity and the historical context of health inequities in Tennessee.    

  • Organizations may apply for up to $10,000. Organizations will only be funded for projects in one county (even if multiple applications are submitted).  

  • Provide a description of: (~650 words) 

    a. The proposed project and how the project aligns with one or more of the CHNA needs.

    b. The demographics of the target population, what specific challenges and inequities the target population faces, and how the project will address these inequities.

    c. At least two SMARTIE goals for your project that will be completed during the 1-year grant cycle. A definition and example of SMARTIE can be found below. 

    STRATEGIC 

    Reflects an important dimension of what your organization seeks to accomplish (programmatic or capacity-building priorities). 

    MEASURABLE 

    Includes standards by which reasonable people can agree on whether the goal has been met (by numbers or defined qualities). 

    AMBITIOUS 

    Challenging enough that achievement would mean significant progress—a “stretch” for the organization. 

    REALISTIC 

    Not so challenging as to indicate lack of thought about resources, capacity, or execution; possible to track and worth the time and energy to do so. 

    TIME-BOUND 

    Includes a clear deadline. 

    INCLUSIVE 

    Brings traditionally marginalized people—particularly those most impacted—into processes, activities, and decision/policymaking in a way that shares power. 

    EQUITABLE 

    Seeks to address systemic injustice, inequity, or oppression. 

    SMART 

    SMARTIE 

    Build a volunteer team of 100 door-to-door canvassers by May… 

    …with at least 10 people of color recruited as volunteer leaders first, so that they can help shape the way we run the canvasses. 

     

     

     

     

     

    Provide a budget:

    The maximum funding level is up to $10,000. Please use the budget template below to give an example of how funds will be used. The budget can be high level and will be refined for awardees asked to submit additional information. Funds may be used to support project activities such as costs related to salaries, hosting meetings and events, design/printing of materials, etc. but may not be used for operational support for existing projects and activities not directly related to the proposed initiative. If the application is for an existing project, please specify which activities the Community Health Equity mini-grant funds will support.  

    Proposed Budget

    Item Description

    Unit Cost

    Ex. Salary

     

    Consultants 

     

    Supplies

     

    Print/Copy

     

    Postage

     

    Etc. 

     

    Total Amount: 

     

    Application Submission and Formatting:

    This award cycle will include two rounds of review to allow for an extended application period. Applications must be submitted online via REDCap by October 14, 2024 @ 11:59 PM CST or January 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM CST. There is no difference between the two application deadlines and review processes. The application submission link can be found here. If you are not able to submit via REDCap, please email Autumn Montgomery at autumn.montgomery@vumc.org for assistance. 

  • This award cycle will include two rounds of review to allow for an extended application period. There is no difference between the two application deadlines and review processes. Applicants may select the timeline that fits their project needs best.

    The selection of award recipients will be determined based on the following Rubric. 

    Organizations that meet the initial application review criteria may be invited to a virtual discussion to provide a deeper understanding of the project. Following award acceptance, grantees may be asked to submit more information including evaluation plans for the project, a revised budget, etc. 

  • Grantees will participate in a virtual meeting after the first 6-months to share project progress, accomplishments, and barriers. This meeting serves as the first report. A brief final report will be shared at the end of the 12-month grand period. Grantees are encouraged to include photos, fliers, or other information supporting the project's success in their reports. Grantees may also be asked to share project results in other community forums.

    Information that will be required for reports include, but are not limited to:

    • Progress towards achieving projects goals, outcomes, and activities
    • Update on how the project is advancing health equity
    • Plans for project sustainability 

  • Call for Applications Released   

    September 5, 2024 

    Q & A Webinar (recorded) 

    September 26, 2024 

    Round 1 Submission Deadline

    October 14, 2025 @ 11:59 pm

    Round 2 Submission Deadline

    January 15, 2025 @ 11:59 pm 

    Round 1 Anticipated Award Start Date

    March 31, 2025

    Round 2 Anticipated Award Start Date   

    June 30, 2025

  • A Q&A webinar will be held on September 26, 2024 to clarify the application requirements in detail and provide an opportunity to ask questions. Please use the REDCap link here to register for the webinar. The meeting invite and Teams link will be sent via email closer to the date. For those unable to attend, please reach out to autumn.montgomery@vumc.org to request a recording of the webinar.