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Indiana University Health Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$34.5M
Grant Range
$3K - $1.0M
Decision Time
8mo

Indiana University Health Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $34.5 million (total functional expenses 2024)
  • Total Assets: $387.3 million
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $1,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Indiana (statewide)
  • Application Method: Rolling basis with annual cycles
  • Decision Time: Approximately 6-9 months

Contact Details

Website: https://iuhealth.org/iu-health-foundation

Email: communityimpact@iuhealth.org (for Community Impact Investment Fund inquiries)

Address: 1633 N Capitol Ave, Suite 1200, Indianapolis, IN 46202

Phone: Contact through website form

Overview

Indiana University Health Foundation Inc was established in 1961 as a supporting organization of Methodist Hospital of Indiana. The Foundation was reformed in 2018 by integrating individual foundations within IU Health into a unified entity to attract transformative gifts needed to improve Hoosiers' health. With total assets of $387.3 million, the Foundation leverages philanthropy to support IU Health's vision of making Indiana one of the nation's healthiest states. The Foundation has earned a Four-Star rating (96% score) from Charity Navigator. In 2018, IU Health established a $200 million Community Impact Investment Fund administered by the Foundation to support non-profit organizations addressing social determinants of health. Since inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $38 million in Community Impact Investment Fund grants to dozens of organizations across Indiana. The Foundation's strategic approach focuses on addressing both healthcare needs and social determinants of health through People, Progress, and Partnerships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Impact Investment Fund (CIIF)

  • Amount: $250,000 - $1,000,000+ (typically over 2-3 years)
  • Application Method: Annual cycle with Letter of Interest followed by full application
  • Focus: Infrastructure investment, workforce development, and education attainment addressing social determinants of health
  • Total Available: Grants from annual earnings on $200 million invested capital

Regional Grants Program

  • Amount: $3,000 - $300,000
  • Application Method: Annual cycle (typically opens May-June)
  • Eligibility: IU Health team members throughout the system with innovative health improvement ideas
  • Total Available: Approximately $1 million annually
  • Note: Awards made in partnership with local philanthropy councils supporting IU Health

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses its philanthropy on three primary areas:

People: Addressing healthcare needs and social determinants affecting individuals and families

Progress: Supporting innovative and transformative approaches to improving health outcomes

Partnerships: Collaborating with community organizations to create sustainable health improvements

Specific Focus Areas Include:

  • Maternal and infant health (2025 CIIF priority)
  • Affordable housing and permanent supportive housing
  • Workforce development and employment training
  • Mental health services and substance use disorder treatment
  • Community development and neighborhood stabilization
  • Education attainment and youth development
  • Health equity for marginalized and minoritized populations
  • Refugee and immigrant health services

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions were not publicly documented in available sources.

Governance and Leadership

Crystal Hinson Miller, SVP and Chief Philanthropy Officer for IU Health; President, IU Health Foundation Miller leads system efforts to strengthen and expand the role of philanthropy within IU Health hospitals and communities. Prior to joining IU Health in 2017, she served as associate dean for advancement at the University of North Carolina's Gillings School of Global Public Health and executive director of the UNC Public Health Foundation. A national leader in healthcare philanthropy, she serves on the board of directors for the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP).

Miller has stated: "It's exciting to see the impact our donors can have all across Indiana and in their own backyards. With these grants, we bring the full force of philanthropy into communities throughout Indiana, equipping our teams to improve the health and well-being of Hoosiers." Regarding the Foundation's approach: "Our campaign instead focuses on programs and services that help people access resources to improve their overall health and wellness. All the Difference will play a key role in helping Hoosiers all across Indiana live healthier lives." She also noted: "In my years of leading philanthropic work in healthcare, I've come to believe that gratitude is not just a feeling — it's a force."

Victoria Sarjeant, Chief of Staff Provides alignment in board and volunteer administration, team member engagement, and professional growth, and leads the Values and Experience team.

Board of Directors:

  • Harold Berfiend: Joined Methodist Medical Group in 1996, held several leadership roles within IU Health, named vice president and controller for the statewide system in 2024
  • Deborah Tobias: Serves on the Board of Trustees at the University of Dayton as chair elect
  • Stephen Moore: Serves on Johns Hopkins Board of Trustees, chairs its Capital and Internal Audit subcommittees

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Community Impact Investment Fund (CIIF):

  1. Letter of Interest (LOI): Submit through online portal when funding round opens
  2. Full Application: Select respondents invited to submit detailed proposals
  3. Application Portal: Applications open annually

Regional Grants Program:

  • Available to IU Health team members only
  • Application period typically opens May-June annually
  • Submit through internal application process

Decision Timeline

Community Impact Investment Fund:

  • LOI applications due: Mid-April
  • Full applications due (invited applicants only): Late June
  • Awards announced: November
  • Funding distributed: End of first quarter of following year
  • Total timeline: Approximately 6-9 months from LOI to funding

Regional Grants Program:

  • Application window: Approximately 4 weeks (May-June)
  • Decision timeline: Not publicly specified
  • Awards announced: Fall/Winter

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages have not been publicly disclosed. However, based on recent award data:

  • 2024 CIIF: 12 grants awarded
  • 2023 CIIF: 14 grants awarded
  • 2022 Regional Grants: 29 projects funded

Reapplication Policy

Yes, reapplication is encouraged. According to the Foundation: "Interested applicants are invited to apply for a grant each time a funding round opens. There is also not a limit on prior awarded recipients from applying again."

This means both unsuccessful applicants and previous grant recipients may apply in subsequent funding rounds without restriction.

Application Success Factors

Selection Criteria

The Foundation gives consideration to projects that are:

  • Innovative and transformative in approach
  • Have demonstrable measures of success identified
  • Are feasible in approach with opportunities to adjust as needed
  • Have potential for replication in other communities IU Health serves

Evaluation Process

An interdepartmental committee reviews each funding request, comprising representatives from:

  • Community health
  • Government/community affairs
  • Finance
  • The Foundation

The committee meets at least five times over several months to review grant proposals. Each proposal is evaluated using a scoring rubric that assigns appropriate weight to certain variables.

Key Success Factors

Financial Leverage: The Foundation encourages applicants to identify financial commitments by program partner organizations and third-party donors, and prioritizes applications that demonstrate a range of additional financial commitments to the initiative.

Strong Evaluation Plans: Reporting on project outcomes is critical to the CIIF program. An evaluation framework has been created that will be used in the development of evaluation plans for selected projects.

Alignment with Priorities: Projects must align with the Foundation's funding priorities of People, Progress, and Partnership, as well as with local community priorities.

Focus on Social Determinants: Projects should address social and environmental factors that heavily affect people's health outcomes, focusing on infrastructure investment, workforce development, and education attainment.

Health Equity: Projects should address health disparities impacting marginalized and minoritized populations in the communities IU Health serves.

Examples of Funded Projects

2023 Recipients:

  • St. Joseph Community Health Foundation: $1 million over three years to develop the Refugee Health Collaborative in southeast Fort Wayne
  • Whitely Community Council: $700,000 over three years for the Centennial District Resource Hub in Muncie
  • Goodwill Foundation: $583,000 over three years for employment coaching in Lafayette
  • Marian University: $500,000 over three years to expand City Connects program in Muncie

2024 Recipients:

  • Beacon Inc: $650,000 over two years for permanent supportive housing in Monroe County
  • Edna Martin Christian Center: $750,000 over three years to renovate community hub in Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood
  • Indy Public Safety Foundation: $630,000 over two years for neighborhood stabilization response team

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Multi-year funding available: Most CIIF grants are structured over 2-3 years, allowing for sustained impact
  • Leverage matters: Demonstrate additional funding commitments from partners and other donors to strengthen your application
  • Innovation is valued: Projects should be transformative and innovative in approach, with potential for replication
  • Measurement is critical: Develop robust evaluation plans with clear, demonstrable measures of success
  • Two-stage process: Prepare a strong Letter of Interest as only select respondents are invited to submit full applications
  • Reapplication welcomed: Both unsuccessful applicants and previous recipients can apply in subsequent rounds without restriction
  • Local connections help: For Regional Grants, IU Health team members nominate projects, so building relationships with IU Health staff may be beneficial
  • Social determinants focus: Frame your project around addressing social and environmental factors affecting health, not just direct healthcare services

References

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