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  he Foundation makes grants within eight priority areas and a Special Projects
Fund. We encourage requests for core operating support, but requests for project
funding are also welcome. Core operating support can be used to help underwrite
the regular, ongoing health promotion and disease prevention activities of your
organization. Such funds can also be used to strengthen organizational
infrastructure through activities such as providing salaries for key
administrative staff, covering operating expenses, engaging in strategic
planning or facilitating board development. Each priority area and the Special
Projects Fund are described below.
Diversity in the Health Professions
The goal of this priority area is to support multiple strategies to increase
diversity in the health professions in California. Grants are commonly given to
organizations that provide pipeline programs, scholarships, mentoring programs,
internships and fellowships that support and advance career opportunities for
people of color in the health professions, including allied health and public
health professions. Organizations that support people of color in the health
professions through strategic partnerships, leadership development, continuing
education and networking activities are also eligible for funding. In addition,
the Foundation funds organizations that educate policymakers about public and
institutional policies that promote diversity in the health professions.
Environmental Health
The goal of this priority area is to support and strengthen organizations
working to alleviate the disproportionate health costs of environmental hazards
for children and low-income communities of color. Grants are commonly given to
organizations that provide environmental health education and awareness
activities, community organizing to promote environmental health, screening and
testing for environmental health exposure, leadership development, and
partnerships between public health departments and community-based health
programs to improve environmental health. The Foundation also funds efforts to
inform policymakers and advocate for policies that could improve environmental
health among underserved populations.
Healthy Aging
  The goal of this priority area is to support and strengthen organizations
that improve functional independence and the quality of healthy years of life
among older Californians. Grants are commonly given to organizations that
provide clinical preventive services, leadership development, recreation
programs, food and nutrition services, consumer education, adult immunizations,
family caregiving and chronic disease management. Also funded are organizations
that support relationships between youth and older adults through activities
such as intergenerational volunteering and mentoring. In addition, the
Foundation funds agencies that educate policymakers about issues such as
prescription drugs, family caregiving, employment, elder abuse and appropriate
and affordable housing for the elderly.
Mental Health
The goal of this priority area is to support and strengthen existing mental
health organizations, increase visibility for the field of mental health, expand
knowledge about effective services and decrease stigma. Grants are commonly
given to organizations that provide primary and secondary prevention services
for older teens transitioning to adulthood, with a focus on those in foster
care, the juvenile justice system and runaway/homeless youth. Services for other
underserved populations, such as homeless adults and immigrants, are funded as
well. In addition, the Foundation funds organizations that provide leadership
development programs for mental health professionals, increase public awareness
of mental health issues and advocate for policies that promote mental health.
Teenage Pregnancy Prevention
The goal of this priority area is to support and strengthen organizations
that work to decrease rates of teen pregnancy and promote healthy adolescent
sexuality. Grants are commonly given to organizations that provide outreach
activities for reproductive health care, comprehensive sexuality education,
access to contraception, education and counseling about contraception,
comprehensive programs for pregnant teens, peer counseling programs and male
involvement programs. An emphasis is placed on funding organizations that work
with high-risk, sexually active, underserved teen populations. The Foundation
also provides grants to organizations that provide leadership development
activities for reproductive health care workers and to organizations that inform
policymakers and opinion leaders about effective policies and programs to
prevent teen pregnancy.
Violence Prevention
The goal of this priority area is to support and strengthen organizations
that work to prevent violence against youth. An emphasis is placed on grants to
organizations that provide mentoring programs for youth, community-based
conflict resolution programs, domestic violence prevention, peer mediation,
after-school programs and school-based violence prevention programs. Grants are
also made to organizations that provide leadership development activities for
violence prevention workers. In addition, the Foundation funds organizations
that inform policymakers and advocate for public policies that increase
resources for programs that prevent violence against youth and that reduce
injury and death by firearms.
Women’s Health
The goal of this priority area is to support and strengthen organizations
that work to improve access to women-centered, culturally appropriate health
care and increase the active involvement of women in the health policy arena.
Grants are commonly given to organizations that provide clinical services,
screenings, prenatal care, mobile health care, self-help groups, community
health education and related services. Priority is given to organizations that
create welcoming environments for women and girls in underserved communities.
The Foundation also funds organizations that involve women in leadership
development, policy advocacy and community mobilization around women’s health
issues.
Work and Health
  The goal of this priority area is to support and strengthen organizations
that work to improve The health of vulnerable working populations and the
unemployed. Grants are commonly given to organizations that increase workers’
access to preventive health care, help prevent workplace injuries and illnesses
and provide worksite health promotion programs. Organizations that provide
technology training to help low-income youth obtain employment and its
corresponding health benefits are also funded. In addition, the Foundation funds
organizations that provide leadership development programs focused on the health
of workers. Organizations that educate policymakers about the connections
between work and health and promote policies that would improve the health of
low-income workers are funded as well.
Special Projects Fund
Each year, the Foundation sets aside a pool of dollars to respond in a timely
fashion to opportunities that fit the Foundation’s mission but are outside the
eight established priority areas. Of particular interest are proposals to help
California communities deal effectively with the health impact of the shift of
federal responsibilities for health and human services to state and local
levels. The Foundation has made grants to strengthen safety net providers of
preventive care, to help low-income consumers understand and navigate changes in
the health care system, and to inform public decision making through policy
analysis and advocacy. Examples of other areas funded over the past few years
include border health, HIV/AIDS prevention, rural health and partnerships with
government agencies and other foundations to improve the health of Californians.
Application Process
To present The California Wellness Foundation with a grant request, an
organization should first write a one- to two-page letter of interest that
describes the organization’s mission and activities, the region and
population(s) served, how the funds will be used and the total funds requested.
If requesting project funding, please include project goals, leadership and
duration. No application form is needed, and formal proposals are not accepted
at this preliminary stage.
Foundation staff will review letters of interest on an ongoing basis and
notify prospective applicants of the results normally within three to four
months. Those encouraged to submit a proposal will receive further guidance at
that time.
Eligibility Criteria
With rare exception, the Foundation funds nonprofit organizations that are
exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are deemed as
“not a private foundation” under Section 509(a). The Foundation also funds
government agencies.
Grants are not generally awarded for annual fund drives, building campaigns,
major equipment or biomedical research. Activities that exclusively benefit the
members of sectarian or religious organizations are not considered.
Letters of interest should be directed to:
Director of Grants Administration
The California Wellness Foundation
6320 Canoga Avenue, Suite 1700
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
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