Health Plus


2008 Rainmaker Award Grant Information And Application

2050 S. Linden Road Flint, Michigan 48532

CONTACT
HealthPlus of Michigan
Attention: Louis Hawkins, Community Relations Administrator
2050 S. Linden Road
Flint, Michigan 48532
lhawkins@healthplus.org
Telephone: 810.230.2088
Fax: 810.733.8966

A printable PDF version of this application is available here.
(In order to view or print this printable version, you will need the Adobe Acrobat viewer which can be downloaded for free, here.)

PROJECT PURPOSE
HealthPlus of Michigan was established in 1977 as a Michigan, membership-based, non-profit
organization that is licensed to do business as a social welfare organization pursuant to the 501(c)(4) Internal Revenue Service Code. The primary business of HealthPlus is to provide health management services of the highest value.

HealthPlus’ corporate vision is “A Healthier Community.” To support this effort, a grant program called the Rainmaker Awards was created. Awards will be made available to eligible organizations seeking funding for clearly defined health-related endeavors with measurable outcomes. Since the program’s inception in 1994, HealthPlus has awarded 109 grants totaling $609,202.

Each request will be reviewed on its merit by the HealthPlus Marketing Committee. The Committee will then present its recommendations to the full Board of Directors for approval.

AREA OF INTEREST
The purpose of this award is to support eligible charitable organizations that are providing clearly defined health related services or programs dedicated to measurably improving the overall health status of the community. In 2008, grants will be awarded to organizations seeking funding for programs or projects focusing on one of the following:

  • Preventing, reducing or managing heart disease/stroke and related complications
  • Preventing, reducing or managing diabetes and its complications
  • Promoting the health of babies and children by addressing issues such as healthy pregnancy, well-child visits, lead testing, asthma, childhood obesity, underage drinking, or safety and violence.
  • Increasing access to medical/dental care for the uninsured
  • Promoting health literacy by addressing issues such as improvement of an individual’s ability to
    understand medical instructions, to accurately take medications or insulin, or to utilize nutritional
    information on food packages.

APPLICATION CRITERIA
All grant proposals submitted will be subject to the following criteria:

  • The proposal addresses an important community problem related to heart disease, diabetes, promoting the health of babies and children, access to health care for the uninsured or promoting health literacy.
  • The geographic area and targeted population are clearly defined.
  • There will be a significant effect on the target population if the aims of the proposal are achieved.
  • The project/program addresses root problems rather than symptoms.
  • The project/program has clearly defined objectives, is well-planned and feasible.
  • The project/program empowers the target audience, where appropriate, to deal with its own problems with regard to health and individual development.
  • Evaluation and follow-up procedures are incorporated into the request to help both recipients
    and HealthPlus assess project success. Evaluation is based on impact rather than only
    measuring the number of activities or people being served.
  • The organization clearly defines the grant amount needed for the project and how grant funds will be used.
  • Support less than the full financial request of the proposal will still be beneficial.
  • The status of other funding requests from other grantors for this project is provided.
  • The specific timeframe for the project is defined.
  • The organization is a not-for-profit organization.

GRANT LIMITATIONS
Grants will be restricted to the HealthPlus service area which currently includes the complete counties of Arenac, Bay, Clare, Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Saginaw, Shiawassee and Tuscola
and the partial counties of Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Montcalm, St. Clair and Sanilac. Grants will be restricted to use for the approved proposal only. Application of funds to other endeavors will result in termination of the grant award and future grant opportunities.

TIMELINE
The completed application and supporting documentation must be received by 4 p.m. May 14. You will need to have all supporting documentation available in electronic format (Word or Excel documents, pdf. format, scanned, etc.) before you begin. The application will prompt you when to attach your documentation.

Applications will be presented to the HealthPlus Marketing Committee and final recommendations will be presented to the Board of Directors. All applicants will be notified of the final decisions by Aug. 14.

PUBLICATIONS
Grant recipients are required to contact HealthPlus for additional guidelines regarding publications. HealthPlus reserves the right to review and approve all publications related to the grant award.

GRANT AGREEMENT REPORTS
If you become a grant recipient, you will be required to submit both a six-month and year-end written report to HealthPlus; a form will be provided. The report shall include the following information:

  1. A description of the operations during the funded period, including a comparison of
    proposed and actual grant activity
  2. A comparison of proposed results and actual results, with measurable objectives, as
    described in the grant request
  3. An appraisal of the program results, including documentation of the community benefits
    resulting from the program
  4. A summary of the financial activity and verification of grant expenditures during the grant period.The accounting should correspond with the items outlined in the approved budget
  5. A description of efforts made by the Grantee in terms of being inclusive of the population served, including appropriate data.

In addition, HealthPlus may monitor or conduct a six-month and year-end independent evaluation of the Grantee’s operations, which may include visits to observe the program, procedures and operations and to discuss the program with Grantee personnel.

PROPOSAL CHECKLIST
HealthPlus reserves the right to reject any grant application that does not include all of the following required information: Attached files must be either Word(.doc), Excel(.xls) or Adobe PDF(.pdf):

  • Title and contact information
  • Project Summary
  • Project Budget
  • Historical Overview of Organization
  • Organization Financials
  • Equal Opportunity Employment Policy
  • Board of Directors
  • Three copies of this application if not submitted electronically

I. Please type or clearly print the requested information.

* Organization Name
* Complete Address of Organization
* Project Title
* Project Director
* Chief Executive Officer/President
* Contact Person (if questions about grant application) First Last
* Telephone
  FAX
* Email
* Grant Amount Requested:
Average grant awards are in the $3,000 to $8,000 range.

A. Project Summary - please address the following, in order.
1. The community problem/issue you are addressing in 200 words or less
* Please attach file:
*2. Geographic area to be served
*3. Target population to be served
4. The effect on the target population and the community if the aims of your proposal are achieved in 100 words or less
* Please attach file:
5. How the project addresses root problems rather than symptoms in 100 words or less
* Please attach file:
6. Objectives, the plans for achieving your objectives and the qualifications of the organization for carrying out your proposed activities in 350 words or less
* Please attach file:
7. How the project empowers the target audience to deal with its own problems with regard to health and individual development in 100 words or less
* Please attach file:
8. How you will evaluate the effectiveness or success of the project. Provide measurable outcomes based on impact as well as the number of activities or people served in 200 words or less
* Please attach file:
B. Project Budget
* 9. Please attach the budget for your project:

* 10. Exactly how will these grant funds be used?
* 11. Would you consider accepting a grant amount for less than the amount requested?
  
*12. If yes, how will receiving less than the full financial request of the proposal still be beneficial?

 
* 13. What is the status of funding requests from other grantors for this project?
* 14. Project timeframe (give actual dates)
From:  To:
 
C. Historical Overview of Organization

15. Describe your organization's history, background and experience in 350 words or less. No brochures, please.
* Please attach a historical overview of your organization:
D. Organization Financials
* 16. Please attach your most recent financial audit or IRS 990 form:

 
E. Equal Opportunity Employment Policy
* 17. Please attach a copy of your organization’s Equal Opportunity Employment Policy:

 
F. Board of Directors
* 18. Please attach a list of your organization’s Board of Directors. Indicate Executive Committee, if applicable:


* By filling out my name in the box below, I hereby certify that the information included in this application and attachments are accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

(your name)