Health care foundation seeks grant requests

Press release

Montana Healthcare Foundation is offering more than $1 million in grants to address key health challenges, and is asking for grant proposals to address the state’s most pressing health problems.

The foundation expects to issue more than $1 million in grants under this call. The deadline for submitting grant proposals is June 30, and information about how to apply can be found at the Foundation’s website, www. mthcf.org.

Grants offered under the foundation’s first call for proposals will address key health challenges facing Montana, such as mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse, American Indian health, and the challenge of providing effective, well-integrated care in a large, rural state.

“In conversations with people around Montana, these issues consistently rose to the top,” said Dr. Aaron Wernham, the foundation’s CEO. “These grants offer a new opportunity to address some of the most important and costly problems facing Montana’s communities.”

Under the foundation’s call for proposals, eligible organizations can apply for grants in three focus areas:

1. Behavioral Health (including mental illness and drug & alcohol addiction): Health experts and community members consistently rank behavioral health problems among the issues in greatest need of attention in Montana. A recent survey of behavioral health problems and services ranked Montana 44th among 50 states, and 49th for youth. These grants will support innovative projects and evidence-based strategies to address behavioral health needs, and emphasize those that can become self-sustaining over the long term.

2. American Indian Health: American Indian people in Montana die at a median age of 50 years (more than 20 years earlier than the state average), and rates of illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, respiratory problems, injuries, and suicide, are often higher than the statewide numbers. Through these grants, the Foundation seeks to work in partnership with tribal governments and non-profits to identify specific needs and advance effective solutions.

3. Partnerships for Better Health: Many communities, particularly in rural Montana, have a hard time recruiting health professionals, and funding challenges can limit access to health services and disease prevention programs. These grants will focus on inter-agency partnerships designed to deliver more accessible and effective care; expand the use of evidence-based approaches such as care coordination; and strengthen efforts to prevent disease through addressing the upstream risk factors.

“This call for proposals is an exciting first step in addressing the needs that we’ve heard about from communities around the state,” said Dr. Wernham, “but making progress on some of these issues will take a long time. Fortunately, we are here for the long haul. The Montana Healthcare Foundation was established as a permanent resource for the state, and we are committed to building on this effort in future years.”

The foundation will use a two-step application process to make final funding decisions. Applicants may submit letters of interest until June 30; the most promising applicants will be invited to complete more detailed full proposals. The foundation expects to announce final funding decisions in the fall. For anyone interested in this opportunity, the foundation will provide more information about the focus areas and application process in webinars May 5 and May 12.