Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $4,103,162 (FY 2024)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Quarterly board reviews
- Grant Range: $25,000 - $80,000 (typical: $40,000 - $80,000)
- Geographic Focus: Cook County, IL (limited funding in surrounding counties)
Contact Details
- Website: www.vnafoundation.net
- Email: info@vnafoundation.net
- Phone: Not listed
- Address: 200 W. Madison St, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60606
Overview
Founded in 1934 and established as a grantmaking foundation in 1996, the VNA Foundation is a private foundation with total assets of $63.2 million. The foundation awards approximately $4.1 million annually to support home- and community-based health services for Chicago's medically underserved populations. After celebrating 25 years of grantmaking in 2021, VNA Foundation focuses on addressing health disparities through strategic investments in nonprofit organizations with operating budgets under $30 million. The foundation prioritizes culturally competent services delivered by staff who reflect the communities they serve.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
- Program Grants: $25,000 - $80,000 (supporting specific health programs and initiatives)
- General Operating Grants: $40,000 - $80,000 (unrestricted support for eligible organizations)
- Capital Grants: Variable amounts (equipment, facility improvements)
- Start-up Grants: Variable amounts (new program development)
Priority Areas
VNA Foundation focuses on four key funding areas:
- Access to Healthcare and Preventive Health - Primary care, health screenings, preventive services
- Mental Health and Support Services - Community mental health programs, particularly at federally-designated centers
- Maternal and Reproductive Health - Prenatal care, maternal health services, reproductive healthcare
- Technical Assistance and Organizational Resiliency - Capacity building, nonprofit infrastructure support
What They Don't Fund
- For-profit agencies
- Large hospital or university systems
- Programs exclusively focused on specific diseases
- Programs serving only older adults
- Organizations primarily in Lake and DuPage counties
- Organizations with operating budgets exceeding $30 million
Governance and Leadership
Board Leadership
- Chair: Brigid E. Kenney
- Vice-Chair: Arlene Michaels Miller, PhD, RN, FAAN
- Treasurer: Sharmili Majmudar, MSW
- Secretary: Jorgia Connor, PhD, RN
Staff
- Executive Director: Robert N. DiLeonardi
- Senior Program Officer: Alma Rodriguez, MUPP
- Program Officer: Rachel Baird
- Grants Manager: Ann C. Swenson, MPA
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
Important Note: VNA Foundation is currently pausing acceptance of unsolicited Letters of Intent (LOIs) for FY 2026. They will update about the FY 2027 grantmaking process by May 1, 2026.
During the pause, the foundation is:
- Accepting renewal requests from agencies funded between December 2023 and June 2025
- Investing in responsive pooled funds with peer health funders
- Setting aside funds for emergency situations
- Making proactive invitations to select organizations
When open, the standard process includes:
- Online submission through Grants Management System
- Letters of Intent due by 5:00 p.m. on specified deadlines
- Quarterly board review of proposals
Decision Timeline
- Board reviews proposals quarterly
- Site visits may be conducted before final decisions
- Notification typically within one quarter of submission
Success Rates
Not publicly disclosed
Reapplication Policy
- Renewal funding is possible but not guaranteed
- Organizations can reapply in subsequent funding cycles
- Contact program staff to discuss reapplication strategies
Application Success Factors
Based on VNA Foundation's guidance and funded projects:
- Clear outcome measures: The foundation requires "measurable outcomes" with specific baselines and quantifiable improvement goals
- Cultural competency: Demonstrate how your organization provides culturally appropriate services with staff reflecting the population served
- Focus on uninsured/Medicaid populations: Priority given to organizations serving these specific populations
- Reasonable budget size: Preference for organizations with operating budgets under $30 million
- Strong narrative: Include compelling descriptions of community needs and how your program addresses them
- Nursing involvement: While not mandatory, programs involving nursing care receive preference
- Data-driven approach: Six and twelve-month reporting requirements mean organizations need strong data collection systems
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- VNA Foundation is temporarily pausing open applications but continues selective and renewal funding
- Focus proposals on serving uninsured and Medicaid populations in Cook County
- Emphasize measurable outcomes with clear baseline and improvement metrics
- Demonstrate cultural competency through both services and staffing
- Keep grant requests within the typical $40,000-$80,000 range
- Contact program staff before applying to discuss funding ideas and alignment
- Prepare for potential site visits by having comprehensive documentation ready
References
- VNA Foundation website (www.vnafoundation.net) - Accessed January 2026
- VNA Foundation FAQs page - Accessed January 2026
- VNA Foundation Funding Overview - Accessed January 2026
- VNA Foundation Board & Staff directory - Accessed January 2026
- VNA Foundation Site Visits guidance - Accessed January 2026
- VNA Foundation Model Proposals - Accessed January 2026
- VNA Foundation Outcome Measures - Accessed January 2026
- VNA Foundation Grantmaking Update - Accessed January 2026
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990 data for EIN 36-2167943 - Accessed January 2026
- GuideStar profile for VNA Foundation - Accessed January 2026