Grant Guidelines

Since its inception in May of 2001, the Brandywine Health Foundation has distributed over $6 million in grants to non-profits, as well as scholarships to individuals, to initiate and support programs meeting the foundation’s mission: to improve the health and well being of the residents of the Greater Coatesville Area. In February of 2007, the foundation approved a Strategic Plan outlining grantmaking priorities for the next five years.

In June of 2008, the foundation anticipates distributing approximately $400,000 to non-profit organizations in a competitive process requiring the submission of a full proposal by Friday, April 11, at 5 p.m. in the offices of the foundation.
Grants have historically ranged from $5,000 - $30,000; proposals for funds greater than $20,000 are generally reserved for start-up program efforts.

The foundation seeks to be responsive to the needs of the community, and will consider grants submitted by existing organizations with proven track records.
The foundation is also interested in initiating programs to meet specific needs of the community, as well as funding programs that have outcomes consistent with the foundation’s goals. Collaboration is encouraged among organizations whose combined efforts will more effectively make a positive difference.

The Brandywine Health Foundation now accepts the Common Grant Application used by forty other foundations in the Greater Philadelphia Area. It is the foundation’s goal to simplify the application proposal so that agency staff and volunteers can spend valuable time providing services and programs.

The foundation encourages applicants to review their proposal concepts with foundation staff in advance of submission. The foundation asks that agencies pay special attention to the funding priorities described below, as well as to the needs identified by the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation. Click here to download a PDF of the report (file is 1.6MB).

Grant Making Guidelines

• Grants will be awarded in the $5,000 - $30,000 range, with notice to grantees sent by June 30, 2008. Grants may be for general operating, special programs, occasional capital needs or technical assistance.
• An organization must present evidence of having been granted, and currently maintaining, IRS Section 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status and Public Charity status.
• The applicant organization and/or the program for which funds are requested must serve the residents of the Greater Coatesville Area as generally defined by the Downingtown, Octorara, and Coatesville Area School Districts, with highest priority given to the residents of the latter school district.
• Special consideration is given to initiatives that leverage other commitments of human and financial resources, and projects or programs that involve collaboration between two or more entities.
• The foundation places considerable emphasis on funding non-profit groups with demonstrated strong organizational governance, internal financial responsibility, and community leadership in the pursuit of their missions.
• The foundation requires that the organization/program incorporate a method of evaluating an agency’s success in meeting specific goals and outcomes. Evidence-based programs to address the foundation’s priority problem areas will be given special consideration.

The Directors have determined that all grant awards are subject to the vote of the full Board of Directors. It is not the intention of the Directors to establish an ongoing or permanent grant relationship with grantees. Applicants are encouraged to include a description of future funding plans for this project or service. With regard to types of grants and organizations supported, the Directors, as a rule, will not make grant awards for:

• Direct scholarship support to individuals
• Purchase of tickets or advertising for benefit purposes
• Coverage of operating deficits
• Document publication
• Pass through grant support for a third party (United Way and Rotary Club excepted)
• Groups such as fraternal organizations, political parties (or candidates), veterans, labor or local civic groups, and groups engaged in influencing legislation.