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he Foundation prioritizes eight issues for funding and responds to timely
issues or special projects outside the funding priorities. 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 issue is described below.
 Grants
that address the issue of diversity in the health professions 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. No letters of interest in this area will be accepted
until December 1, 2003.
Grants that address the issue of environmental health 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.
Grants that address the issue of healthy aging 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.
Grants that address the issue of mental health 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.
Grants that address the issue of teenage pregnancy prevention 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. At this time, no
letters of interest addressing this issue will be accepted. For future updates,
please visit our website at www.tcwf.org.
Grants that address the issue of violence prevention are commonly given to
organizations that provide mentoring programs for youth, community-based
conflict resolution programs, peer mediation, afterschool programs,
school-based violence prevention programs and domestic violence prevention
among vulnerable groups. Grants are also made to organizations that provide
leadership development activities to strengthen the field of violence
prevention. 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.
 Grants that address the issue of women’s health 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. No letters of interest in this area
will be accepted until December 1, 2003.
Grants that address the issue of work and health 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.
Each year, the Foundation sets aside a pool of dollars to respond in a timely
fashion to opportunities that fit our mission but are outside the eight funding
priorities. 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 support and 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 decisionmaking through policy
analysis and advocacy.
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 TCWF health issue funding priority through which
you want your request considered. 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.
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.
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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