Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $1,761,703 (2024)
- Success Rate: Not available
- Decision Time: 6-10 weeks from LOI submission
- Grant Range: Up to $20,000 (Building Community Power Fund)
- Geographic Focus: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Contact Details
- Website: http://www.healthspark.org
- Phone: 215-716-5400
- Email: avivekananthan@healthspark.org (Program Officer)
- Address: 2506 N Broad St Ste 206, Colmar, PA 18915-9439
Overview
HealthSpark Foundation, established in 1956 and formerly known as North Penn Community Health Foundation, is a private independent foundation serving Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. With total assets of approximately $45.6 million, the foundation distributes around $1.7 million annually in grants. HealthSpark invests in nonprofit organizations, networks, and coalitions promoting a more just and healthy community. The foundation recently committed to increasing grant awards by 45% annually for three years, demonstrating a significant expansion of their grantmaking capacity and commitment to community impact.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
- Building Community Power Fund: Up to $20,000 for one year (applications via Letter of Intent)
- Advocacy Rapid Response Fund for Community Power: Amount not specified (rapid response mechanism)
- Building Community Solutions Fund - Housing Justice: Amount not specified (housing-focused)
- Dr. Frank E. Boston Black Justice Fund & Justice Fund: Amount not specified (racial justice focus)
- Invited Application Process: By invitation only
Priority Areas
The foundation focuses on three strategic areas:
- Community Power - Building capacity for advocacy and systems change
- Community Leadership - Developing community-driven leadership
- Community Solutions - Supporting innovative responses to community challenges
Specific funding priorities include:
- Racial and social justice advancement
- Safety net resiliency
- Housing justice
- Technology advances for nonprofits
- Staff and community emotional wellbeing
- Operational strengthening of safety net providers
What They Don't Fund
- Individuals
- For-profit organizations
- Disease-specific charities
- Endowments
- Debt reduction
- Clinical/academic research
- Athletic/recreational clubs
- Replacement of lost government funds
- Supplementation of private/public insurance
Governance and Leadership
Leadership Team:
- Russell Johnson - Principal Officer
- Dr. Warren Hilton - Board Chair (Kutztown University)
- Emma Hertz - President/CEO
- John Ramirez Jr - Chief Financial Officer
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through Foundant online grant management portal. Organizations must create a profile linked to their EIN (only one profile per organization allowed).
For the Building Community Power Fund:
- Submit a 2-page Letter of Intent (LOI) as PDF
- Email to avivekananthan@healthspark.org
- Deadline: September 26 at 5:00 PM
- Notification of selected applicants: October 6
- Full applications by invitation only
Decision Timeline
- LOI to invitation decision: Approximately 10 days
- Final grant awards: December (for Building Community Power Fund)
Success Rates
Not publicly available
Reapplication Policy
Not specified in available materials
Application Success Factors
Based on the foundation's evaluation criteria, successful applications demonstrate:
- Deep community roots - Organizations embedded in and trusted by the communities they serve
- Community-led approach - Programs designed and driven by community members
- Commitment to racial/social justice - Explicit focus on equity and justice
- Ability to mobilize community involvement - Track record of engaging residents
The foundation specifically looks for organizations serving Montgomery County residents with 501(c)(3) status, fiscal sponsorship, religious organization status, or Montgomery County government affiliation.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- HealthSpark is significantly expanding its grantmaking with a 45% annual increase commitment
- Focus proposals on community-driven solutions rather than service delivery models
- Emphasize racial and social justice components in all applications
- Building Community Power Fund offers the clearest application pathway with specific amounts and deadlines
- Most programs appear to operate on an invitation basis or through targeted initiatives
- Strong preference for organizations with deep community roots and resident leadership
- Contact Program Officer Akshara Vivekananthan for questions before applying
References
- HealthSpark Foundation official website (http://www.healthspark.org) - Accessed January 2025
- GuideStar Profile for HealthSpark Foundation - Accessed January 2025
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - HealthSpark Foundation (EIN: 23-1352175) - 2024 Financial Data
- HealthSpark Foundation News Page - Recent grant announcements - Accessed January 2025
- Building Community Power Fund Guidelines - Accessed January 2025
- HealthSpark Foundation Grant Application Portal Information - Accessed January 2025