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Westlake Health Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.5M
Grant Range
$25K - $0.8M
Decision Time
2mo

Westlake Health Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,531,938 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $148,861,533 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Approximately 1 month after deadline
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $750,000
  • Number of Awards: 49 grants (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: West suburban Cook County, Illinois (primarily Proviso Township)
  • Application Deadlines: May 1 and November 1

Contact Details

Address: 1 Lincoln Center, 18 W. 140 Butterfield Rd., Suite 1660, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-4257

Phone: 630-495-3800

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.westlakehf.com/

Overview

Westlake Health Foundation was established in 1980 as a separate corporation to raise funds for the west Proviso area, and became an independent foundation in 1998 following the transfer of Westlake Health System to Resurrection Health System. Now a hospital conversion foundation, it promotes the health and welfare primarily of the people of west suburban Cook County, Illinois, through granting funds for health in the areas of research, education, prevention, promotion, access, and direct healthcare, regardless of race, sex, creed, or financial need. With assets exceeding $148 million and annual giving of approximately $7.5 million, the foundation makes roughly 50 grants annually to organizations serving the Proviso Township area and broader west suburban Cook County.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a competitive grant program with two annual deadlines. Recent grant examples include:

  • $750,000 - Suburban Primary Health Care Council
  • $550,000 - Aspire of Illinois
  • $400,000 - Presence Behavioral Health
  • $244,000 - Helping Hand Center
  • $150,000 - Pillars Community Health
  • $125,000 - NAMI Metro Suburban
  • $100,000 - St. Ann School

Grants are categorized into three tiers for reporting purposes: $25,000 or less, $25,001-$50,000, and over $50,001.

Application Method: Two-stage process with fixed deadlines (May 1 and November 1)

Priority Areas

The foundation funds projects in six core health areas:

  1. Health Research Efforts - Supporting research initiatives to improve health outcomes
  2. Health Educational Efforts - Programs that educate communities about health topics
  3. Illness Prevention - Initiatives focused on preventing disease and promoting wellness
  4. Health Promotion - Activities that encourage healthy behaviors and lifestyles
  5. Improved Access to Care - Projects that remove barriers to healthcare services
  6. Direct Health Care - Provision of healthcare services to underserved populations

Funding Distribution: Historically, 41% of grants support health initiatives, 26% education, and 22% social and human services.

Geographic Requirement: Each grant must promote community health generally in west suburban Cook County, Illinois, with emphasis on organizations located in Proviso Township.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly excludes:

  • Political organizations
  • Lobbying activities
  • Religious organizations for direct religious activities
  • Endowment campaigns
  • Fraternal organizations
  • Benefit fundraisers
  • Telephone solicitations
  • Projects benefiting individuals

Governance and Leadership

The foundation's assets are managed by an executive management team. The Board of Trustees makes all grant decisions by unanimous vote, requiring full board consensus on each award. Specific trustee names are not publicly listed in available databases.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Westlake Health Foundation uses a two-stage application process:

Stage 1: Request for Application

  • Submit a brief Request for Application to the foundation
  • Include a statement of purpose (approximately 50 words or less)
  • Provide proof of 501(c)(3) status from the IRS

Stage 2: Full Grant Application (by invitation only)

  • If approved, applicants receive an "Approval Notification" via postal mail
  • The notification contains website access and a unique Application ID number
  • Only organizations that receive approval can access the full grant application form
  • Applications submitted without proper authorization will be excluded

Required Documentation:

  • 501(c)(3) documentation from the IRS
  • Organization's outside auditor's report from the previous year
  • Complete application with all required information

Application Deadlines: May 1 and November 1

Board Meetings: June and December (following the respective deadlines)

Decision Timeline

The foundation's Board of Trustees meets in June and December to review applications submitted by the May 1 and November 1 deadlines. This suggests an approximate 4-8 week decision timeline from application deadline to board decision.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose its success rate or the number of applications received versus grants awarded. In 2023, 49 grants were awarded totaling $7,531,938.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation receives and approves requests year-round, suggesting that unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent funding cycles. No specific waiting period or restriction on reapplication is documented.

Reporting Requirements

Grant recipients must submit progress reports based on grant size:

  • Grants ≤ $25,000: Report after project completion; annually if project exceeds 12 months
  • Grants $25,001-$50,000: Reports every 6 months if project exceeds 6 months
  • Grants > $50,001: Quarterly reports until project completion

Application Success Factors

Geographic Alignment is Critical

The foundation has a strong geographic focus on west suburban Cook County, with primary emphasis on Proviso Township. Organizations located in or serving this specific area appear to have the strongest alignment with the foundation's mission.

Two-Stage Process Requires Strategic First Impression

The initial Request for Application must make a compelling case in approximately 50 words. This brief statement is your first opportunity to demonstrate alignment with the foundation's mission and geographic focus. Be concise but specific about your health-related purpose and connection to the target community.

Unanimous Vote Requirement

All grants require unanimous Board of Trustees approval. This means your application must appeal to all board members and clearly demonstrate how the project promotes community health in the foundation's service area without any aspect that might concern even one trustee.

Financial Documentation Matters

The requirement for an outside auditor's report from the previous year indicates the foundation values financial accountability and organizational stability. Ensure your financial documentation is complete, professional, and demonstrates sound fiscal management.

Health Focus Must Be Clear

While the foundation funds education and social services, these must have a clear connection to health outcomes. With 41% of giving going to health, 26% to education, and 22% to social services, frame your proposal in terms of health impact, whether through research, education, prevention, promotion, access, or direct care.

Past Grantees Show Funding Patterns

Recent grants show significant support for:

  • Primary health care access (Suburban Primary Health Care Council - $750,000)
  • Behavioral and mental health services (Presence Behavioral Health - $400,000; NAMI Metro Suburban - $125,000)
  • Organizations serving individuals with disabilities (Aspire of Illinois - $550,000)
  • Community health centers (Pillars Community Health - $150,000)
  • Social service organizations with health components (Helping Hand Center - $244,000)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic focus is non-negotiable: Your organization must serve west suburban Cook County, Illinois, with strong preference for Proviso Township locations and services
  • Master the two-stage process: Craft a compelling 50-word statement for the Request for Application stage; only those approved advance to the full application
  • Unanimous board approval required: Your proposal must be compelling enough that all trustees support it; avoid any controversial elements
  • Health connection is essential: Even education or social service programs must clearly demonstrate health impact in one of the six priority areas
  • Financial credibility matters: Have your auditor's report ready and ensure your organization demonstrates fiscal responsibility
  • Plan for bi-annual cycles: With May 1 and November 1 deadlines and June/December board meetings, plan your application timeline accordingly
  • Grant sizes vary significantly: Recent awards range from $100,000 to $750,000, suggesting the foundation funds both established programs and major initiatives

References

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