The Telligen Community Initiative (TCI) is committed to improving community health by funding programs and nonprofits that address social drivers of health. Through their 2025 Strengthening Families and Communities Request for Proposals (RFP), TCI is seeking to support programs that can demonstrate a measurable impact on community health outcomes. This initiative marks a shift in TCI's approach by introducing two-year grant periods, offering applicants greater flexibility and a longer timeline to achieve lasting change. The maximum funding amount available for each successful proposal is $150,000, allocated over the two-year grant period.

The 2025 RFP emphasizes TCI's increased support for multi-year funding and its intention to foster longer-term, sustainable community health interventions. As part of this evolution, TCI is introducing a new funding mechanism known as the Capacity Investment. This program is designed to support nonprofits in building their organizational strength and capacity, extending beyond the traditional project- or program-focused funding. The Capacity Investment will be available through an open, rolling deadline process, with proposals reviewed every two months until the funding is depleted. However, participation in this funding stream is currently by invitation only.

The Strengthening Families and Communities RFP will focus on projects in Illinois, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Iowa. For Illinois and Oklahoma, proposals are due by March 3rd, 2025, while projects from Colorado and Iowa have a submission deadline of October 15th, 2025. The application process for these funding opportunities will be managed through the Foundant platform, a grant management tool adopted by TCI starting in 2024, to streamline both the application process and the reporting requirements for grantees.

The Telligen Community Initiative has a proven history of funding community-based programs, having distributed nearly $19 million over the past 11 years to 418 projects across four states. The organization seeks to continue this legacy by funding initiatives that address the social determinants of health in creative and impactful ways. TCI is also offering support through its Synergy Center, a collaborative office space designed to help nonprofits that focus on health-related issues. This initiative supports nonprofits by providing modern office facilities and resources in Central Iowa, with the goal of advancing collaboration among health-focused organizations.

For those interested in learning more about the opportunities available or applying for funding, TCI provides a dedicated FAQ section and an application portal. Additionally, the organization is actively engaging with applicants to ensure their proposals align with the funding priorities and scoring rubric. TCI staff members are available to assist with questions and guide potential applicants through the process.