Community Innovation Grants

Community Innovation Grants eligibility criteria

Eligible organizations can receive funding only once per calendar year and must meet the following criteria:

• A representative must attend a Community Innovation Grant Workshop for the current grant cycle.
• Must submit an on-time and complete application that is focused on improving community health.
• Must have matching grant funds. A pledge letter or letter of support that reflects the amount(s) and source(s) of the match grant must accompany the application.
• Must be a pilot project that addresses a common health issue in a new approach.
• Organizations must satisfy the IBC Foundation general eligibility guidelines.

Community Innovation Grants FAQ

What are Community Innovation Grants?

Community Innovation Grants support new ideas and approaches to improve community health. For a request to be considered, it must meet the following criteria:

• Is a pilot project that uses new approach to improve the care delivery model or improves access to care of a community health need
  • Extensions of pilot projects will be considered on an individual basis
• Has a matching amount of grant funds from a donor(s) or entity(ies) equal or more than the amount being requested
• Is a collaboration between new or existing partners
  • Partnerships must be demonstrated with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the duration of the grant period
• Attending the Community Innovation Workshop is a prerequisite for any organization to be eligible to apply

How much funding will be awarded?

• Organizations may apply for up to $50,000
• Grants will be for a term of 12 months

What constitutes a match grant?

• Matching grant funds must be new funds from the current fiscal year; and accompanied by
• A pledge letter or letter of support that reflects the amount(s) and source(s) of the match grant must accompany the application

Are general operating funds considered match grants?

• No

When is the next workshop?

• Details on workshops will be updated when available.

When does the application open?

• Attendees of the Community Innovation Workshop who expressed interest in the Community Innovation Grants will receive additional information about the application process and timing

Our organization missed the Community Innovation Workshop. Can I still apply?

• No. Community Innovation Grants is an ongoing grant program. Check back for future grant cycles and required workshops

My organization is already partnering with another organization. Would this be considered an eligible collaboration?

• Yes. You will need to provide a PDF of the memorandum of understanding signed by both organizations

Where do I submit documentation for match grants and MOUs?

• The application will have a section to upload documents at the end

For questions or more information, please contact:
Evan Cantiello, Senior Foundation Program Specialist
Email: evan.cantiello@ibx.com Phone: 215-241-2664

Community Innovation Grant recipients

• Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
• Center in the Park
• Drexel University
• Hoplite Resilience Center, Inc.
• Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations
• Simon's Heart
• The Food Trust
• The Wistar Institute
• Valley Youth House Committee

Coalition U Community

The Independence Blue Cross Foundation is proud to announce our ongoing collaboration with the Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC) through the Coalition U Community, a free web-based learning hub exclusively for eligible nonprofits to access resources for professional development, best practices in innovation, and building organizational capacity. The web-based community is open at no cost to all eligible nonprofits in the southeastern region of Pennsylvania.

The Coalition U Community offers two education modules on Board Development and Engagement and Innovation in the Nonprofit Sector. The portal also enhances information-sharing through online discussion boards that promote collaboration.

Join the community

Building Healthier Communities application process

Independence Blue Cross Foundation is not accepting letters of interest at this time.