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Cardinal Health Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.3M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,311,093 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $500,000
  • Geographic Focus: National (U.S.), with approximately 50% of grants awarded in Ohio

Contact Details

Cardinal Health Foundation
7000 Cardinal Place
Dublin, OH 43017-1091
Phone: 614-757-5000
Email: communityrelations@cardinalhealth.com
Website: cardinalhealth.com/community

Overview

The Cardinal Health Foundation (EIN: 31-1746458) is the philanthropic arm of Cardinal Health, a major healthcare services and products company headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. The Foundation distributed $6.3 million across 232 grants in 2024, supporting healthcare organizations and community programs nationwide. The Foundation's strategic focus centers on three priority areas: Essential to Healthcare (enhancing healthcare efficiency, quality and cost-effectiveness), Essential to Wellness (promoting health literacy and active lifestyles), and Essential to Community (supporting employee engagement and humanitarian relief). The Foundation has invested over $8.6 million through its signature E3 grant program since 2008 and committed $5 million to its Equity Rx program to expand medication access for underserved populations. In December 2024, the Foundation was named Community Partner of the Year by the Charitable Healthcare Network in recognition of its exceptional commitment to advancing health equity and addressing medication access barriers.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Equity Rx Program (Signature Initiative): Grants through partnership with National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) to free and charitable clinics and pharmacies. Recent awards include $45,000 grants to 10 clinics and a $500,000 two-year grant to Charitable Healthcare Network. Goal: dispense 1 million prescriptions by 2030 to patients who cannot afford them. Applications administered through NAFC partnership.

E3 Grant Program: Up to $35,000 per year to U.S. and Canadian hospitals, health systems, community health clinics, and other nonprofit healthcare institutions working to improve patient engagement, medication safety, and operating room safety. Eligibility quiz and application available online. Since 2008, invested $8.6 million in hundreds of healthcare organizations.

Community Health Grants: $1,000 - $13,500 for programs promoting active, healthy lifestyles for children, families, and the elderly; health literacy; and patient education and engagement in communities served by Cardinal Health.

Healthcare System Grants: $500 - $500,000 to health systems, hospitals, and clinics to promote healthcare efficiency, quality, and cost of care.

Employee-Related Grants:

  • Matching Gifts: $25-$1,000 per employee annually (100% match for health-related, school, and scholarship programs; 50% match for other nonprofits)
  • Team Fundraising: Up to $2,500 for teams of 3+ employees raising funds for local nonprofits
  • Volunteer Grants: Up to $5,000 for teams of 3+ employees participating in hands-on service projects
  • Board Service: Up to $3,500 for nonprofits where employees serve as board members, committee chairs, or fundraising chairs

Educational Grants: Monetary and/or product support for academic medical institutions, hospitals, professional societies, professional associations, and government agencies to further clinical and scientific knowledge of healthcare professionals. Online application required; faxed and mailed submissions not accepted.

Priority Areas

  • Healthcare efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness
  • Medication safety and preventing prescription drug abuse and misuse
  • Access to prescription medications for uninsured and underinsured populations
  • Patient engagement and health literacy
  • Suicide prevention in children's hospitals (since 2022, partnering with 39 children's hospitals through the Preventing Suicide: A Cardinal Health Foundation National Collaborative)
  • Opioid epidemic response (historically in Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee)
  • Active, healthy lifestyles for children, families, and the elderly
  • Employee community engagement and volunteerism
  • Humanitarian relief

What They Don't Fund

  • Generally does not support international programs (U.S.-based franchise), though exceptions may be considered if attendees are predominantly U.S.-based
  • Specific exclusions list available online through eligibility quiz

Governance and Leadership

Jason M. Hollar: Chief Executive Officer of Cardinal Health (parent company). Promoted to CEO in 2022 after serving as CFO since 2020. Previously served as CFO at Tenneco Inc. and Sears Holding Corporation. Serves on boards of Cardinal Health, Red Oak Sourcing, DaVita Kidney Care, and Junior Achievement of Central Ohio.

Jessica L. Mayer: Secretary of the Cardinal Health Foundation Board of Directors. Chief Legal and Compliance Officer of Cardinal Health since 2019.

The Foundation operates in partnership with Cardinal Health's Community Relations department, which oversees charitable giving programs and coordinates with healthcare organizations, professional associations, and community partners nationwide.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Competitive Grant Programs (E3, Community Health, Healthcare System):

  • Online eligibility quiz and grant application available at cardinalhealth.com/community or cardinalhealth.com/patientsafetygrants
  • No "save" feature in application system; incomplete applications will not be processed
  • Faxed and U.S. mailed grant submissions are not accepted
  • Application must be completed in one session

Equity Rx Program:

  • Grants administered through partnership with National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC)
  • Contact NAFC directly for application information
  • Target recipients: free and charitable clinics and pharmacies

Educational Grants:

  • Review guidelines at cardinalhealth.com/educational-grants before proceeding
  • Submit/View Request online
  • Incomplete applications will not be processed
  • Must complete in one session (no save feature)

Charitable Events (Galas, Dinners, Runs, Walks, Fundraisers):

Employee-Related Grants:

  • Administered through Cardinal Health's employee benefits system
  • Available to Cardinal Health employees for matching gifts, team fundraising, volunteer grants, and board service recognition

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Contact the Community Relations department at communityrelations@cardinalhealth.com or 614-757-5000 for specific program timelines.

Success Rates

The Foundation awarded 232 grants in 2024. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Contact the Foundation directly for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Strategic Priorities: The Foundation has clearly defined focus areas. Successful applicants demonstrate strong alignment with Essential to Healthcare (healthcare efficiency and quality), Essential to Wellness (health literacy and medication safety), or Essential to Community (employee engagement and humanitarian relief) priorities.

Geographic Considerations: While giving is national in scope, approximately 50% of grants stay in Ohio. Organizations in Ohio, particularly those in communities served by Cardinal Health operations, may have stronger positioning. The Foundation has demonstrated significant investment in Appalachian states (Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee) for opioid-related initiatives.

Measurable Outcomes: The Foundation values programs with clear metrics and demonstrated impact. For example, the Equity Rx program achieved measurable success: dispensing over 20,000 prescriptions to more than 3,200 patients in its first year, providing medications valued at $2.59 million, and achieving 82% of the program's two-year goal.

Partnership Approach: The Foundation frequently works through established partnerships (National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics, Children's Hospital Association, Charitable Healthcare Network). Organizations that can demonstrate capacity for partnership or participation in collaborative initiatives align with the Foundation's approach.

Healthcare Institution Focus: The Foundation's largest grants go to large healthcare systems and hospitals, though smaller community organizations in Ohio have also received funding. Healthcare-focused nonprofits and institutions have stronger positioning than general community organizations.

Employee Connection: Employee-related grant programs demonstrate the Foundation's commitment to supporting causes where Cardinal Health employees are engaged. Organizations where Cardinal Health employees volunteer, serve on boards, or fundraise have additional pathways for support.

Innovation in Healthcare Delivery: The E3 program specifically seeks projects that improve effectiveness, efficiency, and excellence in healthcare, particularly in medication safety and patient engagement. Applicants should emphasize innovative approaches to healthcare challenges.

Medication Access and Safety: With the $5 million commitment to Equity Rx and historical investments in opioid epidemic response, programs addressing medication access, safety, and appropriate use align strongly with Foundation priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Strong healthcare focus: This Foundation primarily funds healthcare organizations and health-related programs. Non-healthcare organizations should have clear health outcomes or employee engagement angles.
  • Geographic advantage for Ohio: With half of all grants staying in Ohio, organizations in Cardinal Health's home state have positioning advantages, particularly in the Dublin/Columbus area.
  • Multiple pathways for funding: Explore various grant programs (E3, Equity Rx, Community Health, Educational Grants, Employee-Related Grants) to identify the best fit for your organization.
  • Partnership matters: The Foundation works through established partners (NAFC, Children's Hospital Association). Consider how your organization might connect with or participate in these collaborative frameworks.
  • Application readiness required: The online application system does not allow saving work in progress. Prepare all materials in advance and complete applications in one session.
  • Employee engagement creates opportunities: If Cardinal Health employees are involved with your organization as volunteers, board members, or donors, leverage employee-related grant programs.
  • Demonstrate measurable impact: The Foundation values clear metrics and outcomes. Quantify expected results and demonstrate capacity for measurement and reporting.

References

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