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Bon Secours Mercy Health Foundation

Annual Giving
$38.1M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Bon Secours Mercy Health Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $38,141,690 (2023)
  • Total Grants Awarded: 84 grants (2023)
  • Decision Time: Varies by program; Grey Nuns: ~3 months
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $50,000 (Grey Nuns Community Fund)
  • Geographic Focus: Multi-state (primarily Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, Florida, New York)
  • EIN: 20-1072726

Contact Details

Main Foundation Office:

Corporate Address: Cincinnati, OH (serves as headquarters)

Overview

Bon Secours Mercy Health Foundation (EIN: 20-1072726) serves as the charitable works arm of Bon Secours Mercy Health, a non-profit Catholic health system. The Foundation coordinates charitable giving for all hospitals, facilities, programs, and services operated by Bon Secours Mercy Health across multiple states. Established to carry out the charitable and educational purposes of Bon Secours Mercy Health, the Foundation extends the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving health and well-being of communities and bringing good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying, and underserved. In 2023, the Foundation distributed over $38 million in grants across 84 awards. The Foundation operates through regional offices in eight communities across Ohio and Kentucky, plus additional locations in Virginia, Maryland, and other states, ensuring that funds raised locally stay local to directly impact the most pressing needs of patients and citizens in each community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates primarily through internal grant-making to support Bon Secours Mercy Health programs and facilities, with limited external grant opportunities available in specific regions:

Grey Nuns Community Fund (Toledo, OH region): $5,000 - $50,000

  • Serves local nonprofits in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan
  • Quarterly application deadlines (February, May, August, November)
  • Online application portal only
  • Review occurs approximately 3 months after each deadline

Regional Scholarship Programs: Varies by region

  • Mahoning Valley awarded $87,000+ to 47 students in recent year
  • Since inception: $1.2+ million in total scholarships awarded
  • Focus on nursing and healthcare administration degrees

Internal Health System Support: Largest grant category

  • Supports Bon Secours Mercy Health hospitals and facilities
  • Funds mobile health clinics, cancer treatment centers, affordable housing
  • Community benefit programs totaling $476+ million (2023)

Priority Areas

Healthcare Access and Services:

  • Mobile health clinics and mobile mammography vans
  • Access to care for underserved populations
  • Chronic disease prevention and management
  • Pediatric bereavement programs (KIDZ'NGRIEF)
  • Cancer treatment and specialized care facilities

Community Development and Social Services:

  • Affordable housing (800+ units supported)
  • Early Head Start programs
  • Community resource centers
  • Hunger relief and basic needs
  • Eviction prevention and housing stability

Education and Workforce Development:

  • Nursing and healthcare administration scholarships
  • Support for Mercy College of Ohio
  • Medical residency programs
  • Healthcare workforce pipeline development

Serving Vulnerable Populations:

  • Programs for the poor and underserved
  • Services for the elderly
  • Support for the sick and dying
  • Community outreach in underserved neighborhoods

What They Don't Fund

Grey Nuns Community Fund specific exclusions:

  • Organizations whose primary mission is education
  • Multi-year proposals
  • General operating expenses
  • Salaries
  • Organizations with adequate access to other funding sources
  • Projects outside northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan service area

General exclusions (based on typical health foundation restrictions):

  • Projects outside their geographic service areas
  • Organizations not aligned with Catholic health ministry values
  • Programs that don't serve poor or underserved populations

Governance and Leadership

Bon Secours Mercy Health Board of Directors

  • Jennifer O'Brien, JD - Chair
  • Janet B. Reid, PhD - Vice Chair
  • Colleen Scanlon, RN, JD - Vice Chair of Bon Secours Mercy Ministries (ex-officio)
  • Sr. Patricia Eck, CBS - Chair of Bon Secours Mercy Ministries
  • John M. Starcher Jr. - President & CEO (ex-officio)
  • Katherine A. Arbuckle, CPA - Director
  • Sr. Fran Gorsuch, CBS - Director
  • Peter F. Maddox - Director
  • Raja Rajamannar - Director
  • Rev. Myles N. Sheehan, SJ, MD - Director
  • Katherine W. Vestal, PhD - Director

Regional Foundation Structure

The Foundation operates through eight primary regional teams in Ohio and Kentucky:

Ohio:

  • Greater Cincinnati
  • Greater Lima
  • Lorain
  • Clark & Champaign Counties (Springfield)
  • Greater Toledo
  • Mahoning Valley (Youngstown)

Kentucky:

  • Irvine
  • Lourdes (Paducah)

Each region has its own foundation board and leadership team to address specific local needs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Grey Nuns Community Fund (Toledo region only):

The Foundation accepts applications through an online portal at https://us.grantrequest.com/application.aspx?sid=5402&fid=35031

Required Documentation:

  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt letter
  • Board roster
  • Balance sheet
  • Annual budget
  • Annual report
  • Budget template (Excel format available)

Application Deadlines (Quarterly):

  • Q1: February 27
  • Q2: May 29
  • Q3: August 28
  • Q4: November 27

For Other Regions:

The Foundation does not have a public application process for most of its grant-making activities. The majority of grants are awarded internally to support Bon Secours Mercy Health facilities, programs, and services. External nonprofits seeking funding should contact their local regional foundation office through givebsmh.org or call 800-999-2744 to inquire about potential funding opportunities in their specific geographic area.

Scholarship Applications:

Scholarship programs vary by region. Applications are typically accepted by mail with specific deadlines announced annually. Contact your local Mercy Health Foundation office for current scholarship opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Grey Nuns Community Fund:

  • Applications reviewed quarterly
  • Review occurs approximately 3 months after submission deadline
  • Example: February 27 deadline → May 2026 review
  • Notification method: Not publicly specified

Other Programs:

  • Timeline varies by program and region
  • Internal grants follow health system budget cycles

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, in 2023:

  • 84 total grants awarded
  • $38,141,690 total distributed
  • Average grant size: approximately $454,000 (includes large internal grants to health system facilities)

For Grey Nuns Community Fund specifically, most awards range from $5,000 to $50,000, suggesting smaller, more accessible grants for external nonprofits.

Reapplication Policy

Grey Nuns Community Fund:

  • Quarterly deadlines allow for reapplication
  • Organizations can apply in subsequent quarters if unsuccessful
  • No specific waiting period mentioned

General Policy: Specific reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Organizations should contact the Foundation directly to discuss reapplication opportunities.

Application Success Factors

For Grey Nuns Community Fund Applicants:

Alignment with Mission: Organizations must demonstrate they are serving the poor and underserved, following the legacy of founder Marguerite d'Youville. The Foundation specifically seeks programs that "feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless, improve neighborhood collaborations and/or provide access to health care."

Innovation and Impact: The Foundation prioritizes organizations that "use innovative approaches to achieve specific and lasting improvements in the lives of the poor and underserved." Applications should clearly articulate how the approach is innovative and how impact will be measured.

Limited Alternative Funding: Eligibility requires organizations to have "limited opportunity for private or public support from other sources." Applications should demonstrate why this funding is critical and what other funding sources have been pursued.

Geographic Focus: For Grey Nuns specifically, organizations must serve northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Clear demonstration of service area alignment is essential.

Project-Specific Funding: The Foundation does not fund general operating expenses or salaries. Applications must present specific projects or programs with measurable outcomes.

Population Focus: Based on the Foundation's values, special attention is given to programs serving: underserved children, elderly populations, those experiencing poverty, and community empowerment initiatives.

For Regional Foundation Inquiries:

Local Impact: When funds are raised and designated for use within one of the eight regions or for a special dedicated program, that's where gifts go to work. Demonstrate clear local impact in the specific community.

Catholic Health Ministry Alignment: The Foundation reflects core values of human dignity, integrity, compassion, stewardship, and service. While organizations need not be Catholic, programs should align with these values.

Healthcare Connection: Given the Foundation's health system roots, programs with clear connections to health, wellness, or healthcare access may receive favorable consideration.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Limited External Grant Opportunities: The Foundation primarily supports internal Bon Secours Mercy Health programs. The Grey Nuns Community Fund in Toledo is the primary publicly accessible grant program for external nonprofits. Contact regional offices directly to explore other opportunities.

  • Local Focus is Critical: Each regional foundation operates independently with funds staying local. Target your specific regional foundation office and demonstrate clear local community impact in that service area.

  • Mission Alignment Essential: Programs must serve the poor, underserved, sick, or dying to align with the Foundation's Catholic health ministry mission. Articulate how your work extends compassionate care to vulnerable populations.

  • Innovation Over Operations: The Foundation (particularly Grey Nuns) seeks innovative, project-specific programs rather than general operating support. Frame requests around specific initiatives with measurable outcomes.

  • Relationship Building Matters: With most grants awarded through internal processes or trustee discretion, building relationships with local foundation staff and demonstrating alignment with health system priorities can open doors to funding conversations.

  • Healthcare and Social Determinants: Programs addressing healthcare access, social determinants of health (housing, food security), and community health improvement align well with Foundation priorities.

  • Scholarship Opportunities: If your organization serves students pursuing nursing or healthcare careers, explore regional scholarship programs as an alternative funding avenue.

References

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