Grantmaking Overview

The First Hospital Foundation is a public charity providing support to nonprofit organizations whose programs address the health needs of the most vulnerable and underserved populations in Philadelphia, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Bucks counties. Since its inception the foundation has distributed more than $10.8 million in grants to nonprofits serving those in need.

The foundation seeks to be responsive to the health care needs of the community. Its major purpose is to enhance and augment health care services to the vulnerable and underserved. The foundation’s secondary purpose is to support the preservation of the historic artifacts and memorials of Pennsylvania Hospital.

The foundation:

• Supports nonprofit organizations that demonstrate program effectiveness and a proven track record of effective service to the community
• Values evidence-based programs
• Requires applicants to identify measurable outcomes and describe how the applicant and foundation can determine whether goals have been achieved
  
• Requires clear tracking and reporting of program performance

The foundation’s funding priorities are:

• Improvement of access to health care by the underserved including the uninsured and underinsured
• Meeting behavioral health needs
  
• Promotion of the health and well being of children and families
  
• Education, training and advocacy to improve health care outcomes
  
• Public health risk reduction
  
• Development of replicable, innovative approaches to health care delivery

In addressing these priorities the foundation values:

• Best practices that are efficacious, effective and efficient
  
• Emerging models, innovations and practice improvements
  
• Programs that reduce systemic, economic, cultural, and educational barriers to health care
  
• Programs that leverage foundation funds with other resources, such as matching grants, in-kind contributions or pro-bono services

To be considered for funding, organizations must be tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and must have a current 501(c)(3) tax exempt letter; or must have a fiscal sponsor with tax-exempt status.

The foundation does not support:

• One-time or free-standing education, training or advocacy programs
  
• Production of collateral materials
  
• For-profit organizations, firms or companies
• Capital campaigns (minor renovations may be considered)
  
• Debt reduction
  
• Endowment campaigns
  
• Scholarships, fellowships or grants to individuals
  
• Fraternal, political (or candidate), veterans, labor and civic groups
  
• Organizations that have not provided required final reports for previous grants