Contributed by Robin Minard, Director of Public Affairs
The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) recently opened a funding opportunity through its Healthy Impact grant program. Applications for this semi-annual program are being accepted through Friday, May 20, 2016. Healthy Impact grants fund projects over $15,000 that improve the health and wellness of people living in the Mat-Su Borough.
MSHF uses a two-part application process for Healthy Impact grants. The first phase of the process is the Project Pitch phase. The Project Pitch is completed online at healthymatsu.org and includes information about the organization that is applying and a description of the proposed project. The Foundation reviews all pitches and then invites projects that most closely align with the Foundation’s funding goals to move forward to the full application phase.
Prospective grantees must provide services or benefits to Mat-Su residents and be qualified Alaska nonprofit. 501(c) organizations are classified as “not a private foundation” under section 509(a) of the Code.
In select cases, MSHF may choose to fund health-related projects undertaken by religious, governmental, educational or tribal agencies seeking partners for health-related initiatives that impact the broader Mat-Su community and extend beyond the traditional purpose and functions of these organizations.
All potential applicants are encouraged to visit the foundation’s website at healthymatsu.org to learn more about the grant process, who the foundation funds and does not fund, and to review its searchable grants database to see the types of projects that have been awarded in the past.
Although Healthy Impact grant requests must be in excess of $15,000, smaller grant amounts are considered continuously under the Foundation’s Target Wellness grant program. As with Healthy Impact grants, Target Wellness grants are applied for online at www.healthymatsu.org.
