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 from the Foundation. If requesting project funding, please include project goals, leadership and duration. Your letter will be processed most accurately if you clearly designate the priority area through which you want your request considered for funding. 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. We do not provide international funding or fund organizations that are located outside the United States.