Fundraising for Health:
A Resource List

Recent studies suggest that grants for health-related purposes continue to command a large share of foundation giving. The following online bibliography should be helpful for nonprofit organizations and individuals looking for private and government funding. This resource list contains citations to selected works from the Foundation Center's bibliographic database Catalog of Nonprofit Literature as well as links to useful Web resources. For complete bibliographies on these topics, search Catalog of Nonprofit Literature, using the following health-related headings in the subject field:

Aging, AIDS, Gerontology, Health, Health care, Hospices, Hospitals, Medicine, Mental health, Nursing, Public health, or Substance abuse.

You may also want to browse our other topical resources lists on Health Conversion Foundations and Funding for People with Disabilities.

Categories or citations useful for individual grantseekers are marked with an asterisk *

• General Resources
• AIDS
• Aging
• Medical Education
• Medical Research
• Mental Health and Disabilities
• Women, Children, and Youth
• Examples From the Field

General Resources

Foundation Center; Falkenstein, Jeffrey A. (ed.) National Guide to Funding in Health. 9th ed. New York, NY: Foundation Center, 2005. xliv, 2684 p.

Provides information on more than 10,700 foundations, direct corporate giving programs, and public charities (including community foundations) that have demonstrated a substantial interest in health-related programs, services, or research.

Fitzpatrick, Joyce J. and Sandra S. Deller. Fundraising Skills for Health Care Executives. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, Inc., 2000. ix, 193 p.

A handbook describing the elementary principles of fundraising of various types, including planned giving, private funding, capital campaigns, and individual giving. Provides case studies related to donations to nursing schools. Extensive resource lists are appended. Indexed.

The Health Funds Grants Resources Yearbook. Manasquan, NJ: Health Resources Publishing, annual.

Contains articles that analyze trends and statistics and describe federal, corporate, and foundation health grants programs. Arranged in broad subject categories with descriptive profiles of trends in foundation giving; foundation grants for health care; community foundation grants; trends in corporate support for health; corporate support for health care; federal grants for health care; AIDS research and health services; elderly health services and long-term care; child, maternal, and adolescent health care; alcohol and drug abuse programs; health professions training; and community/rural health.

FY 2005 Report on Giving: USA. Falls Church, VA: Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, 2006. 16 p.

Statistics are based on an online survey completed by 327 American members of the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy in 2006, and document the following types of support: cash, securities, pledges and planned gifts, non-monetary gifts, endowment income and investments.

Internet Resources

Foundation Directory Online

Search the Foundation Center's comprehensive database of U.S. grantmakers and grants for funders that have an interest in the health field.

Association for Healthcare Philanthropy

The organization provides resources geared toward fundraising professionals in the health care field. Web site contains conference information, guides, and articles.

Grantmakers In Health (GIH)

While GIH's mission is to support foundations and corporate giving programs, grantseekers should browse the reports and bulletins to keep abreast of health funding trends.

*GovBenefits.gov

The award-winning site contains listings of federal and state benefit programs for individuals, including programs from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Grants.gov

The federal government's portal for grant opportunities for state and local governments, nonprofits and academia can be browsed by subject, including health.

MedWeb

Maintained by staff from the Emory University's Health Sciences Center Library, MedWeb's "Grants and Funding" area offers a lengthy, well-organized list of links to funding opportunities, newsgroups, libraries, and medical and health organizations, as well as a variety of grantseeking and grantwriting resources.

AIDS

Grant Writing. Washington, DC: National Minority AIDS Council, [2003]. 86 p. (Organizational Effectiveness Series).

For nonprofit organizations, starting or expanding a program is likely to involve submitting a grant proposal to a potential funder as part of a competitive process. This manual presents the fundamentals of preparing a successful grant proposal for securing funds from both public and private sources. This information is for individuals with varying levels of experience in grant writing, with an emphasis on government grant application requirements.

May, Jennifer. "Funding the Global Fight." Inspire Your World, vol. 1 (November-December 2004): p. 18-23.

Describes the major funders in the world-wide fight against AIDS.

AIDS Is Your Business Corporate Update. New York, NY: Funders Concerned About AIDS, 2005. 8 p.

This publication highlights trends in corporate HIV/AIDS grantmaking. Click here for full text.

Internet Resources

Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA)

FCAA promotes philanthropy to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic domestically and abroad. Its reports on AIDS grantmaking can be downloaded free of charge.

National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC)

NMAC is a national organization dedicated to developing leadership within communities of color to address the challenge of HIV/AIDS. You can download NMAC's "Organization Effectiveness Series," which covers subjects such as grantwriting and fiscal management.

Aging

Kastel, Jodi L. (ed.) Grant Funding for Elderly Health Services. 5th. Manasquan, NJ: Health Resources Publishing.

Outlines the healthcare challenges of an aging population. Provides trends in funding for elderly health services, and outlines what is currently being funded in the area, generally, and specifically for adult day and respite care, Alzheimer's disease care, training for geriatric physicians, and research. Provides profiles of representative foundations that are supporting projects benefiting the elderly. Includes a directory of funding information sources.

Miller, Lorne S. Fundraising for the Elderly: A Development Primer for Homes for the Aged, Long-Term Care Facilities, and Seniors' Centres. Toronto, Canada: Lorne Miller & Associates Inc, 2003. 153 p. ISBN: 0-9688251-1-7.

Covers the full range of development tasks from creating a case statement, researching the donor base, recruiting volunteers, donor recognition, strategic planning, special events, and planned giving. Includes worksheets. Indexed.

Internet Resources

*Administration on Aging: Aging Network Resource Page

The Web site of the National Aging Information Center, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It includes information designed for older Americans and their families as well as those concerned about providing opportunities and services to enrich the lives of older persons. Contains an area on grant opportunities.

Grantmakers in Aging

The Web Site of the national organization committed to promoting and strengthening grantmaking for an aging society.

* Medical Education

Schlachter, Gail Ann and R. David Weber. Money for Graduate Students in the Biological & Health Sciences. El Dorado Hills, CA: Reference Service Press, biennial.

Lists funding resources for graduate students in "agriculture, biology, botany, dentistry, genetics, horticulture, medicine, nursing, nutrition, pharmacology, veterinary sciences, zoology, and other biological and health sciences."

Schlachter, Gail Ann and R. David Weber. RSP Funding for Nursing Students and Nurses. El Dorado Hills, CA: Reference Service Press, biennial.

A list of scholarships, fellowships, grants, awards, loans, traineeships, and other funding programs in support of study, training, research, and creative activities for nursing students and nurses.

Internet Resources

Foundation Grants to Individuals Online

The Foundation Center's online database contains more than 6,000 listings of grants to individuals. Available as a monthly, quarterly, and annual subscription. Search this database for support for medical or nursing school.

Association of American Medical Colleges

The organization aims to improve the nation's health by advancing the quality of education in medicals schools and teaching hospitals. Its Web site includes tips on financing one's education as well as information on grant opportunities.

Finaid: The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid

Links to funding sources such as scholarships, fellowships, and grants. Use the Web site's search tool to locate tips on financing medical school.

Michigan State University Library - Grants for Individuals

A listing of resources on funding opportunities including Web sites, databases, books, and announcements. Browse the subject listing for "Medicine" and "Nursing."

Medical Research

Directory of Biomedical and Health Care Grants. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, annual.

Contains descriptions of more than 2,000 health-related funding programs. Areas covered include clinical and programmatic studies in gerontology and mental health; clinical studies of the cause, detection, and elimination of cancer; health care delivery and maintenance; and studies of infectious and immunologic diseases, including programs researching all areas related to AIDS. Provides each program's requirements (including eligibility statements); restrictions (listing exclusions); contact information; deadlines; and funding amounts. Contains a subject index, a sponsoring organization index, and an index by program type.

Gitlin, Laura N. and Kevin J. Lyons. Successful Grant Writing: Strategies for Health and Human Service Professionals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, Inc., 2004. xiii, 305 p.

A guide to proposal writing for health care professionals in academic, clinical or community-based organizations. Sample budgets and timelines are included in the appendix.

Reif-Lehrer, Liane. Grant Application Writer's Handbook. 4th ed. Boston, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2005. xx, 362 p.

Explains the process of grantseeking from government funders, particularly the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Chapters cover getting started; the review process; parts of the grant application; planning and writing the research plan; submitting and tracking the grant application; and summary statements, rebuttals, and revisions. Extensive appendices contain information on and examples of National Institute of Health and National Science Foundation awards, sample outline for the research plan, general checklist, sample budget justifications, sample summary statements, advice on applying for foundation grants, and strategies for successful written and oral presentations.

Internet Resources

GrantsNet

Sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, GrantsNet is an online searchable database of funding opportunities in biomedical research and science education that is specifically geared towards scientists-in-training.

The National Institutes of Health

The government organization conducts research in all health fields at its laboratories in Maryland, but also provides funding for universities and other research groups. Look under "Grants & Funding Opportunities" to learn more about NIH programs.

Mental Health and Disabilities

Foundation Center. Grants for Mental Health, Addictions and Crisis Services. New York, NY: Foundation Center, annual.

Grants to hospitals, health centers, residential treatment facilities, group homes and mental health associations; for addiction prevention and treatment; for hotline/crisis intervention services; and for public education and research.

Foundation Center. Grants for the Physically and Mentally Disabled. New York, NY: Foundation Center, annual.

Grants to hospitals, schools, and primary care facilities for research, medical and dental care, employment and vocational training, education, diagnosis and evaluation, recreation and rehabilitation, legal aid, and scholarships.

Eckstein, Richard M. (ed.) Directory of Grants for Organizations Serving People with Disabilities: a Reference Directory Identifying Grants Available to Nonprofit Organizations. 12th ed. Loxahatchee, FL: Research Grant Guides, 2005. 152 p.

Describes foundations and government agencies that provide funding for programs and services in the following areas: blind, deaf, developmentally disabled, emotionally disturbed, eye research, independent living programs, learning disabilities, mental health, mentally disabled, physically disabled, rehabilitation and speech impaired. Includes sections on federal funding information sources, identifying and setting trends, and a realist's guide to winning grants.

Brousseau, Ruth Tebbets; Donna Langill; and Constance M. Pechura. "Are Foundations Overlooking Mental Health?" Health Affairs, vol. 22 (September-October 2003): p. 222-9.

Though foundation giving for health has increased in recent years, support for mental health programs has lagged. The authors look at the funding situation historically before examining the current statistics and providing possible explanations for the decline in grantmaking in this area.

Internet Resources

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Funding Opportunities

The mission of the NIMH is to diminish the burden of mental illness through research. NIMH's Funding Opportunities page includes grant and contract announcements, grant applications and RFP's for research opportunities.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

SAMHSA is the Federal agency charged with improving the quality and availability of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitative services in order to reduce illness, death, disability, and cost to society resulting from substance abuse and mental illnesses. SAMHSA's Funding Opportunities Web page includes information on available and recently awarded grants.

See also *Funding for People with Disabilities: A Resource List.

Women, Children, and Youth

Foundation Center. Grants for Children and Youth. New York, NY: Foundation Center, annual.

Lists more than 26,800 grants of $10,000 or more made by more than 900 foundations for programs benefiting children and youth, including child welfare and advocacy, preventive and service programs, business education and vocational training, health and medical care, and programs regarding parents and teachers.

Foundation Center. Grants for Women and Girls. New York, NY: Foundation Center, annual.

Lists more than 7,800 grants of $10,000 or more made by nearly 800 foundations for programs that benefit women and girls, including education, career guidance, vocational training and employment, equal rights promotion, rape and abuse prevention and crisis services, shelter programs for victims of domestic violence, health programs, family planning, reproductive rights, pregnancy programs, athletics and recreation, arts programs, social research, and women's studies.

Internet Resources

*Insure Kids Now!

Insure Kids Now! is a national campaign to help the nation's 10 million uninsured children obtain free and low-cost health insurance. The program is sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services. Browse the site to learn more about state programs or call toll-free (877) KIDS-NOW.

*National Women's Health Information Center

Sponsored by the Office on Women's Health of the US Department of Health and Human Services, the National Women's Health Information Center provides access to information on all areas of women's health. The information on the Web site is obtained from a variety of Federal and private sector resources, and can be searched by health topic or by keyword. Use the Site Index to locate "Funding Opportunities" and "Directory of Residency and Fellowship Programs in Women's Health."

Examples from the Field

Daniels, Cora. "The Man Who Changed Medicine." Fortune, (29 November 2004): p. 90-4, 98, 100-2, 104, 108, 110, 112.

Several prominent and wealthy men who have survived serious illnesses are changing the nature of medical research in the United States through a new funding model. Instead of asking that researchers go through the traditional lengthy application processes, Michael Milken, Lance Armstrong, Jim Stowers and others give large grants with the intention of hastening the pace of research in order to benefit patients. The article focuses on Michael Milken, whose own experience with prostate cancer led him to establish a public charity that raises millions of dollars for research.

Gardyn, Rebecca. "Tobacco Road Block: The Impact of a Grant to Stop Kids from Smoking." Chronicle of Philanthropy, vol. 17 (17 March 2005): p. 19-20.

Explains how funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has helped the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids carry out its mission. Also describes the educational role of the American Legacy Foundation, created with funds from the 1998 legal settlement with the tobacco industry.

Greene, Elizabeth. "Giving Patients Alternatives."Chronicle of Philanthropy, vol. 16 (1 April 2004): p. 7-8.

Describes Penny Pilgrim George's philanthropic efforts to provide patients with nontraditional medicines, such as Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Ms. George is the president of the George Family Foundation (MN) and the chair of the Philanthropic Collaborative for Integrative Medicine. She is the wife William H. George, a retired chairman of Medtronic.

Jensen, Brennen. "Acting with Intent: Michael J. Fox's Charity Aims to Cure Parkinson's Disease." Chronicle of Philanthropy, vol. 17 (31 March 2005): p. 9-10, 12, 14.

Provides background information on the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Mr. Fox hopes that his foundation's grants will help find a cure for Parkinson's disease by 2010. Sidebar includes a brief article on funding for embryonic stem-cell research.

Kates, Jennifer and Drew Altman. "Ending an Era of Denial." Foundation News & Commentary, vol. 45 (March-April 2004): p. 47-9.

The authors delineate the role that the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation has played in combating AIDS.

Lewis, Nicole. "Keeping Kids Fit and Trim." Chronicle of Philanthropy, vol. 16 (16 October 2003): p. 7-8, 10-1.

More grantmakers are funding programs that fight obesity in children. Sidebar lists recent grants.