Applications open July 15, 2024 and close August 15, 2024. Decisions and distribution in September 2024.

Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation (IVWF) aims to make the Imperial Valley A Better Place to Live for All. We recognize the importance and value of focusing on the quality of life for the residents of the Imperial County and want to support the work that many organizations are doing to address health and wellness, and community engagement in disinvested communities and especially with populations and groups that have been historically excluded from planning and decision-making. In addition, we value the importance of the nonprofits that lead this work and are committed to supporting them in building capacity to carry out their work and mission.

  We invite 501(c)(3) nonprofits to apply for funding in the following three areas: 1) Health and Wellness, 2) Community Engagement, and 3) Nonprofit Capacity Building. Below are examples of the kind of work that falls under each of the areas.

Health and Wellness:
 

• Food insecurity and healthy eating
• Active living and physical activity
• Mental and emotional health
• Safe and healthy living neighborhoods
• Social health
• Programs that focus on the awareness and prevention of asthma,  prenatal care, diabetes, and obesity  
• Health and wellness programs that benefit children, disadvantaged students, farm workers, homeless, LGBTQ, low-income families, seniors and veterans

Community Engagement

• Helping community members address the issues and needs they face in their communities
• Engaging community members to work together on community priorities
• Creating opportunities for community members to gather and socialize
• Helping community members gain awareness and become better informed
• Listening to the community to learn more about their priorities and helping them take actions to improve conditions
• Building the community's capacity so they can create the change they want to see

Nonprofit Capacity Building

• Strengthening the operations of the organization
• Strengthening the staff and team of the organization
• Building a strong volunteer base
• Attending conferences and workshops
• Purchasing and/or improving equipment and software
• Technical assistance or consulting services

If you have any further questions or would like assistance with the application, please contact IVWF Executive Director, Roque Barros, rbarros@ivwf.org.

GRANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES
  This Mission Support grant application is for nonprofit organizations serving primarily Imperial County. Preference will be given to organizations based in Imperial County.

                 To qualify for IVWF’s 2024 Mission Support, your organization must:
 

• be a 501(c)(3) or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor;
• serve regions in Imperial County;
• provide direct services to underserved communities, and
• be aligned with IVWF’s vision to make Imperial Valley A Better Place to Live for All and its mission of advancing health and wellness for the most vulnerable in Imperial County, who often experience inequities in health and social outcomes.

All organizations that are selected to receive funding will be required to enter into a grant agreement with IVWF. If you would like to review a copy of the agreement terms, please review copy here. 

Note: If you are a re-granting agency that doesn't provide direct services, you are not eligible to apply.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Award Type and Amount: We will be awarding one-year, Mission Support grants ranging from $1,000 - $10,000 per recipient. This year's total fund is $80k. If your grant is approved, the amount awarded will be determined by the IVWF Grants Committee. 

Previously Funded Organizations: Organizations that applied last year can reapply this year. A previously funded organization is required to identify the progress they have made and how the new grant will continue to help them grow or advance their work.

Reporting: To ensure IVWF is able to capture the impact of our grants, a final report will be required from grantees. IVWF will provide grantees with a final report template and a reminder for the impact report approximately three months from the grant term expiration date. Additionally, we will look for opportunities to share your work during the year which might include a video interview by IVWF.

     Anticipate these Reporting Questions:
 

1. How did you expend the grant?
2. What impact did the funds have on your organization and/or population served?
3. What challenges did you face during the year?
4. What did you learn - lessons learned?

Priority for awards will be given to organizations that:

• Are focused on communities with the greatest health and social inequities;
• Whose efforts are led or informed by the communities they serve;
• Have an explicit commitment to equity (in all its forms);
• Can demonstrate/describe evidence of measurable results;
• Are strengthening community capacity to advocate for themselves, and
• Are focused on making the Imperial Valley A Better Place to Live for All.