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K21 Health Foundation (Kosciusko 21st Century Foundation Inc)

Annual Giving
$2.6M
0
Decision Time
2mo
0

K21 Health Foundation (Kosciusko 21st Century Foundation Inc)

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Over $65 million distributed in 25 years (average ~$2.6M/year)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 6 weeks from submission to decision
  • Grant Range: No minimum or maximum (grants range from thousands to hundreds of thousands)
  • Geographic Focus: Kosciusko County, Indiana only
  • Total Assets: Started with $63 million in 1999, currently exceeds original endowment

Contact Details

Address: 1101 Park Avenue, Winona Lake, IN 46590
Phone: 574.269.5188
Website: https://k21healthfoundation.org
Application Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=k21foundation
Email: Contact via website

Pre-Application Contact: Jennifer Stewart, Grants Manager - primary contact for grant inquiries

Overview

K21 Health Foundation (also known as Kosciusko 21st Century Foundation Inc) was established in 1999 from the proceeds of the sale of Kosciusko Community Hospital to Quorum Health Group, Inc. Beginning with approximately $63 million in assets, the foundation has distributed over $65 million in grants over its first 25 years while maintaining assets that exceed its original endowment. The foundation's mission is clear: to benefit Kosciusko County residents by ensuring healthcare services are provided and advancing prevention and healthy lifestyles. K21's strategic approach focuses on identifying health needs in the community and maintaining its endowment so funding is available in perpetuity through prudent investments and strategic grantmaking. President & CEO Rich Haddad emphasizes that K21 remains "mission-focused" to use its grantmaking "for the benefit of everyone who lives in Kosciusko County," with staff and board seeing themselves as "stewards of the community's asset."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

K21 Health Foundation operates a quarterly rolling grant program with no minimum or maximum grant amounts. Applications are accepted four times per year. The foundation explicitly states: "There is no limit to the dollar amount your organization can request," though applicants must clearly justify the need for the entire amount requested.

Application Deadlines for 2026:

  • Pre-Grant Questionnaire Deadlines: January 19, April 17, July 17, October 19 (by 5:00 PM)
  • Full Application Deadlines: February 2, May 1, July 31, November 2 (by 5:00 PM)

Recent grant distributions demonstrate the range of funding:

  • Q1 2025: $3,345,327 distributed across multiple organizations
  • Q2 2025: $470,478 distributed across multiple organizations
  • Individual grants have ranged from approximately $20,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars

Priority Areas (Four Health Pillars)

K21 Health Foundation awards grants aligned with four key health pillars:

  1. Direct Services & Prevention - In-patient medical care, community healthcare, rehabilitation, mental health care, emergency medical services
  2. Community Culture & Wellbeing - Programs that foster healthy community environments and social wellness
  3. Health Access & Opportunity - Initiatives that improve access to healthcare services and create opportunities for health improvement
  4. Youth Development & Activity - Programs supporting youth health, physical activity, and development

Recent Funded Projects Examples:

  • Baker Youth Club: Healthy Choices Program
  • Combined Community Services: Fresh Produce Program
  • Grace College & Seminary: Lakes Research 2-Year Study and Catalyst Corridor Initiative
  • Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County: Vehicles for Home-Repair Program
  • Kosciusko Community YMCA: Rock Steady Boxing Program Expansion
  • Live Well Kosciusko: Kosciusko County Mental Health Clubhouse
  • Magical Meadows Inc.: Capital Campaign for New Riding Arenas
  • Town of Syracuse: Pickleball Courts
  • Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center: Programs focused on preventing child abuse
  • Fellowship Missions: Life Skills Programming and strategic planning

What They Don't Fund

While K21 Health Foundation does not publish an explicit exclusion list, the following are implicit restrictions based on their requirements:

  • Geographic Restriction: Projects that do not benefit Kosciusko County residents
  • Non-Health Related Projects: Programs that do not address health and wellness issues
  • Ineligible Organizations: Organizations without IRS tax-exempt status (unless they are qualifying school systems or governmental agencies serving Kosciusko County residents)
  • Out-of-Mission Projects: Initiatives that do not align with at least one of their four Health Pillars

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

K21 Health Foundation is governed by a 17-member Board of Directors comprised of diverse community leaders:

Officers:

  • Jessica Bricker (Chair) - Winona Wealth Management
  • Patricia Gall (Vice Chair) - Milford Town Clerk
  • Lisa M. O'Neill (Treasurer) - Lake City Bank
  • Jill Gross (Secretary) - Haines, Isenbarger & Skiba, LLC

Directors:

  • Patrick Boyle, HFA - Miller's Merry Manor
  • Joe Graham, Psy.D. - Grace College & Seminary
  • JoElla Hauselman - Edgewood Middle School
  • Tammy Keirn - Lemon, Keirn, & Rovenstine, LLP
  • Anita Kishan, MD - Retired Physician
  • Chad Larsh - Indiana State Police
  • Dan Metzger - Metzger & Son Trucking Co., Inc
  • Sandra Parra - Old National Bank
  • Brian Reichenbach, MD - Kosciusko Family Healthcare
  • Jasmine Gabriel-Schlitt, DDS - Jasmine Gabriel-Schlitt Family Dentistry
  • Matthew Shaw - Polywood
  • William B. Smith - Retired University Administrator
  • Jerry Yeager - SYM Financial Advisors

Staff Leadership

Rich Haddad - President & CEO
Rich oversees all K21 operations and reports directly to the board of directors. He manages all financial reporting and, with his background in investment and financial planning, oversees all investment relationships regarding prudent management of the foundation's funds. Rich is also responsible for engaging with community leaders on grantmaking opportunities. He holds degrees from Grace College (Business & Accounting) and a Master of Science in Non-Profit Management.

Key Quote: "In my 11 years of leading K21 Health Foundation, I have come to realize that the two most important areas to impact people's health are access and opportunity."

Jennifer Stewart - Grants Manager
Jennifer is the primary contact for all grantmaking inquiries. She helps potential grantees get started on their requests and manages the process and relationships for all grants approved by the board. She also handles marketing, media, sponsorships, and website management. A long-time Kosciusko County resident, Jennifer holds degrees from Grace College (Double major: Business Administration & Psychology).

Angie Summers - Operations Manager
Angie oversees day-to-day operations including finance and facility management. She hosts K21 and community events at the foundation's office. A former K21 grantee herself with 15+ years of non-profit sector experience, Angie holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Grace College (2007) and a Master's from IU School of Social Work (2011).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

K21 Health Foundation accepts applications through a two-stage quarterly process:

Stage 1: Pre-Grant Questionnaire

  • Submit a brief questionnaire by the quarterly deadline
  • K21 staff review the questionnaire to determine alignment with foundation priorities
  • May prompt a meeting to discuss how your proposal aligns with health/wellness goals for Kosciusko County

Stage 2: Full Application

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Non-profit agency with current IRS tax-exempt status and in good standing with the Indiana Secretary of State, OR
  • School system serving students of Kosciusko County, OR
  • Governmental agency serving residents of Kosciusko County
  • Project/program/service must benefit residents of Kosciusko County
  • Impact must address health and wellness issues for the community

Decision Timeline

Total Timeline: Approximately 6 weeks from submission to decision

Process Flow:

  1. Application submitted by quarterly deadline
  2. K21 staff review submissions
  3. Staff schedule discussion appointments with applicants
  4. All applications presented to Grant Committee
  5. Grant Committee meets quarterly to make decisions
  6. Applicants notified within a few days of the committee meeting

Success Rates

K21 Health Foundation does not publicly disclose specific success rates or the number of applications received versus approved. However, the foundation distributes several million dollars quarterly across multiple organizations, indicating a meaningful number of successful applications each cycle.

Reapplication Policy

K21 Health Foundation does not publicly state restrictions on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations may submit unlimited applications per cycle, suggesting an open and flexible approach to reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on guidance from K21 Health Foundation, the following factors significantly improve application success:

1. Meet with the Grants Manager Before Applying

K21 explicitly encourages all applicants to set up a meeting with Grants Manager Jennifer Stewart prior to submission. This consultation allows you to:

  • Discuss your ideas and determine if your project fits K21's requirements
  • Receive guidance on which type of grant to apply for
  • Learn how to word your request appropriately
  • Ensure your project aligns with the foundation's mission

2. Clearly Demonstrate Mission Alignment

Applications must explicitly explain:

  • How supporting your project will advance K21's mission
  • What the intended benefits are for Kosciusko County residents
  • How your project addresses health and wellness issues in the community
  • Which of the four Health Pillars your project aligns with

3. Justify Your Requested Amount

Since there are no grant limits, you must "clearly explain the need for the entire amount you request." Provide detailed budgets and clear rationale for all funding.

4. Focus on Community Impact

K21 sees itself as "stewards of the community's asset." Projects that demonstrate broad community benefit and align with the foundation's philosophy that this funding is "for all of us, to have the opportunities to live our most healthy lives" are likely to resonate.

5. Emphasize Access and Opportunity

President Rich Haddad has stated: "In my 11 years of leading K21 Health Foundation, I have come to realize that the two most important areas to impact people's health are access and opportunity." Applications that specifically address barriers to health access or create opportunities for healthier living align with leadership priorities.

6. Align with Recent Funding Patterns

Review recent grant awards on K21's website to understand the types of projects being funded. Recent successful applications include:

  • Physical activity and recreation programs (BMX bikes, pickleball courts, boxing programs)
  • Mental health and trauma services (mental health clubhouse, trauma conferences)
  • Access to healthcare services (medical imaging equipment, health screenings)
  • Youth development programs (camps, mentoring, life skills)
  • Preventive health initiatives (fresh produce programs, healthy choices education)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Pre-application consultation is essential - Meeting with the Grants Manager before applying is strongly encouraged and provides valuable guidance for tailoring your proposal
  • Geographic focus is non-negotiable - Your project must benefit Kosciusko County residents; this is the foundation's strict geographic limitation
  • No grant size limits - You can request any amount, but must thoroughly justify the need; grants have ranged from $20,000 to hundreds of thousands
  • Mission alignment is critical - Clearly articulate how your project advances health and wellness through at least one of the four Health Pillars
  • Quarterly deadlines provide multiple opportunities - With four cycles per year, you have regular opportunities to apply or reapply
  • Two-stage process allows for early feedback - The pre-grant questionnaire stage offers a chance to get initial feedback before investing time in a full application
  • Decision timeline is efficient - Approximately 6 weeks from submission to decision, with notification within days of the quarterly committee meeting

References

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