The Foundation considers grant requests twice yearly, with deadlines for letters of inquiry and full proposals leading up to board meetings in November and May. For the November 2024 awards, letters of inquiry must be submitted between May 15 and June 14 by 5:00 p.m., with invited proposals due by August 1. The board will review applications in November. For the May 2025 awards, letters of inquiry are accepted from November 15 to December 16 by 5:00 p.m., with proposals due by January 31 for consideration at the May board meeting.

All submissions, including letters of inquiry and full proposals, must be completed through the Foundation’s online grant application and management system, as hard copies are not accepted. Step-by-step instructions for navigating the system are available, and applicants can save their progress and work on forms over multiple sessions.

A letter of inquiry is required before submitting a full proposal. For new applicants, it should include a summary of the project or program, expected outcomes, the need for the initiative, and a budget with anticipated funding sources. Renewal requests require an abbreviated letter of inquiry. Feedback on the letter will determine whether applicants are invited to submit a full proposal.

Full proposals must address key areas: the demonstrated need for the project using current data, how it will improve access to quality healthcare, plans for sustainability, and measurable outcomes aligned with the Foundation’s mission to enhance healthcare access for underserved and uninsured residents of northern Lake County, Illinois. Applicants can download a comprehensive list of proposal questions once invited to submit.

The Foundation offers technical assistance for each of its funding strategies, which include clinical care, linkage to care, scholarships, organizational capacity building, and system capacity. Grantees are eligible for up to five consecutive years of funding, after which they must take a one-year break unless granted an exception by the Foundation.

This structured application process ensures that projects align with the Foundation’s priorities while providing applicants with support and clear guidance for their submissions.