A successful grant is of as much benefit to a foundation as it is to a grantee. For VNA Foundation, the special joy in our grantmaking comes from funding programs and projects which address the needs of those who have been the focus of our mission for over 100 years: the men, women, and children of the Chicago area who lack access to basic health services. We have been fortunate to be able to accomplish much in our 20+ years of grantmaking. With the help of our partners, we will continue to do so.
Here are some examples of proposals that we found particularly compelling.
AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Porchlight Counseling Services
Over the past few years, VNA has been increasing our response to the growing need for funding that helps agencies to keep the doors open and the lights on, yet allows them to be responsive to the demands of our seemingly ever-changing healthcare environment. In December 2016 we awarded general operating grants to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Porchlight Counseling Services. Although different in size of agency and scope of work, both agencies presented compelling cases for general operating support and we were pleased to award grants of $75,000 and $50,000, respectively.
PCC Community Wellness
VNA Foundation enjoys partnering with nonprofits to create new programs which offer innovative solutions to problems facing the needy populations we seek to serve. We also recognize, however, the importance of funding well-established programs or services addressing essential needs. For that reason, we appreciated the following proposal, from PCC Community Wellness, to fund home healthcare and breastfeeding support provided by nurses. We liked its clarity, its use of well established practices, and its measurable outcomes.
This proposal for $50,000 was approved in full by the VNA Foundation Board at its December 8, 2011 board meeting. We are pleased to offer it as a model proposal.
Sarah’s Circle
Many agencies serving the disenfranchised at some point realize they must review their practices to enhance or guarantee essential services, expand if necessary to better meet the needs of their clients, and engage the expertise to undertake these processes. Sarah’s Circle, after operating for 30 years as an emergency shelter and supportive housing agency, is at such a point — and its proposal provides a strong example of a pilot project that will utilize evidence-based practices to meet the needs of a growing number of newly housed, formerly chronically homeless women.
This proposal for $50,000 was approved in full by the VNA Foundation Board at its December 8, 2011 board meeting. We are pleased to offer it as a model proposal..
For more information on these and other VNA Foundation grant awards, please see the list of recent grants or our grant search.