Grant FAQs

This FAQ provides answers to the most commonly asked questions about Foundation grant funding. If you have questions not covered here, please email them to info@azbluefoundation.org.

What organizations are eligible to apply for Foundation grant funding?

Non-profit organizations and academic institutions are eligible for Foundation grant funding.

What types of projects qualify for Foundation grants?

Grant opportunities are available for Arizona-based organizations that are seeking funding for programs or applied research related to the Foundation’s health focus areas:
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Chronic health conditions — working to reduce the impact of chronic health issues by expanding access to screenings, medication and medical care, unmet social needs, and lifestyle management.
Health equity — addressing the social determinants of health in order to increase health equity and amplify every Arizonan’s chances of well-being.
Mental health — expanding statewide resources, reducing stigma about mental health, and connecting people to care that promotes positive mental health and saves lives.
Substance use disorder — investing in prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery in order to reduce overdoxe-related deaths.

Funding priority is given to projects that expand publicly-available resources, are scalable or increase systems-level capacity, and have a measurable impact. Note: to qualify for Foundation grant funding, services provided may not be otherwise billable.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona provide philanthropic funding separate from the Foundation?

Yes. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona accepts applications for corporate memberships and event sponsorships that support arts and culture, business and civic, education, and/or health and human services. See details about corporate funding.

When are Foundation grant opportunities available?

In 2022, the Foundation will have three discretionary grant cycles and one competitive grant cycle. Foundation grants are available for programs and applied research as follows:

Focus Area(s)

Amount

Grant Cycle(s)

Funding Date

Foundation Discretionary Grants

Chronic Health Conditions
Health Equity
Mental Health
Substance Use Disorder

Up to $25,000 for priority funding

Feb.1 – Mar. 18, 2022
May 2 – June 17, 2022
Aug. 1 – Sept. 16, 2022

May 31, 2022
Aug. 31, 2022
Nov. 30, 2022

Foundation Competitive Grants

Mental Health

Up to $125,000

Mar. 1, 2022 RFP opens

May 31, 2022

Is there a maximum to the funding amount available per grant?

Yes. Awards are up to $125,000 for mental health competitive grants.
For discretionary grants, the goal is to fund a wide variety of projects to increase collective impact. As such, the Foundation prioritizes requests up to $25,000.

What is the application process?

The process varies based on grant type.
‍
Competitive Grants — Our competitive grant cycle will follow a formal request-for-proposal (RFP) process. The RFP will be available March 1, 2022.
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Discretionary Grants — For discretionary grants, we have a three-step process:

Submit a letter of interest (LOI) online.
Discuss your project with Foundation staff.The staff will reach out to schedule the meeting.
Apply if invited. Note: not all organizations that submit an LOI will be invited to apply for funding.

All the details are available on the grant page.

Where do I apply?

All interested organizations are required to have an active grantee account with Arizona Community Foundation (ACF). The Foundation works with ACF to manage our discretionary and competitive grant process. LOIs, applications, and proposals are submitted online via ACF.

What is the timeline for discretionary grants?

The timeline for each step of the discretionary grant process is:
‍

LOI
Opens

LOI
Deadline

Application Deadline

Funding
Dates

Mar. 18

May 31

February 18

Feb. 1

Cycle 1

June 17

May 28

May 2

Aug. 31

Cycle 2

Sept. 16

Nov. 30

Aug. 19

Aug. 1

Cycle 3

When will I learn if I am invited to submit a formal application?

Organizations can expect to receive a decision about moving forward with the application process within 21 calendar days of submitting the letter of interest.

What is the timeline for the competitive grant cycle?

The timeline for the competitive grant cycle is:

RFP Opens

Mar. 1, 2022

RFP Closes

April 4, 2022

Review period

April 5 - May 9, 2022

Applicants notified of funding decision

May 25 - May 31, 2022

Grant funded (on or before)

May 31, 2022

Can organizations apply for both a mental health competitive grant and a mental health discretionary grant, or for a mental health competitive grant and a discretionary grant in another area?

Yes. The Foundation provides flexibility to organizations interested in seeking funding. Multiple applications/proposals are accepted — both in the same focus area and different focus areas. Note that each funding request must be for a separate project.
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Tip! The Foundation has limited funding, so organizations may want to consider focusing efforts on one application or proposal so as not to compete against themselves.

Can active Foundation grantees apply for additional grant funding, either in the same or a different focus area category?

Yes. Active grantees may apply for additional grant funding as long as the request is for a separate project.

Do you accept applications/proposals for multi-year funding?

No. Foundation funding is provided on a 12-month grant term.

What is the grant term and start date?

All Foundation grants have a 12-month term. Specific dates:
‍
Discretionary Grants‍

Cycle 1: June 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023
Cycle 2: Sept. 1, 2022 – Aug. 31, 2023
Cycle 3: Dec.1, 2022 – Nov. 30, 2023

‍Competitive Grant: June 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023

Are there limitations on how grant funds can be used?

Grant funds must be used for direct project-related expenses. Foundation funding may not be used to fund lobbying or capital expenditures, including buildings, construction, and/or renovations. In addition, Foundation funding may not be used to provide services that are otherwise billable.

Can Foundation grants be used to pay for personnel?

Foundation grants are designed for projects and programs that can be sustained without dependence on ongoing grant funding. That said, we understand that staff are required to complete the work described in many proposals.

To maximize grant proposal success, we recommend detailing any staff resources in one of two ways:

FTE allocation and description of proposed activities. Example: A .5 FTE diabetes educator providing 500 individual sessions and three cohorts of 16 group sessions; or
Calculation by service unit. Example: 500 individual sessions at $20 per hour plus three cohorts of 16 groups sessions for a total of 48 sessions at $210 per session, including prep time.

Are Foundation grants available for capital expenditures?

No. Foundation grants are not available for rent, utilities, or building payments/expenses related to a capital expenditure.

Is reporting required as part of Foundation funding?

Yes. Outcomes reporting is a requirement of all Foundation grants as it is critical to measuring results and for leveraging promising practice ideas to strengthen statewide activities and resources.
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Reporting requirements vary based on type and amount of grant funding. Details will be provided when grants awards are announced.

Is funding provided in a single block?

Yes. All selected projects will be funded in one block sum.

What support does the Foundation provide to grantees?

Foundation staff support grantees via progress calls. Grantees who receive a competitive grant will have quarterly check-ins. Discretionary grantees will have either a twice-annual or annual review, depending on grant amount and project.
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In addition, the Foundation will create opportunities for grantees to learn from one another and other experts, so that they can build their capacity. We will be offering a grantee capacity building series in 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions