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University of Virginia Health Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.3M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
47%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $297,000+ (2025 community grants)
  • Success Rate: ~47% (38 awards from 80+ applications in 2025)
  • Decision Time: Approximately 2-3 months from April deadline to June distribution
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $25,000
  • Geographic Focus: Northern Virginia and Culpeper (Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange, Prince William, and Rappahannock counties, plus cities of Manassas and Manassas Park)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.uvahealth.com/about/community

Grant Inquiries Email: UVACHCommunityEngagement@uvahealth.org

Application Portal: https://www.uvahealth.com/about/community

Foundation Website: https://giving.uvahealth.com/

Overview

The University of Virginia Health Foundation was created in 2002 to support UVA Health's mission of enhancing patient care, medical and nursing education, research, and community outreach through philanthropy. The Foundation seeks to benefit and support the study and teaching of medicine and nursing at the University of Virginia, while funding research and improvements to patient care and enhancing the creation and dissemination of knowledge about the health system. Through UVA Community Health, the organization runs an active community grants program that has shown consistent growth: nearly $200,000 to 26 organizations in 2023, $265,500 to 42 organizations in 2024, and over $297,000 to 38 organizations in 2025. The Foundation earned a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator with a score of 100%.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Healthy Spark Grants: $2,500 - $5,000

  • Awarded to organizations addressing social determinants of health
  • Focus areas include access to care, food security, economic stability, and opportunities for physical activity
  • Applications accepted through online portal with annual April 10 deadline

Community Strong Grants: $25,000

  • Awarded to organizations that have partnered with UVA Community Health for more than two years
  • Must align with Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) priorities
  • Focuses on mental and behavioral health, chronic disease management, and access to healthcare

Priority Areas

UVA Health's community grants program supports organizations addressing key health priorities identified in their Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA):

  • Mental health and behavioral health services
  • Substance use prevention and treatment
  • Chronic disease management (cancer, diabetes, heart disease, obesity)
  • Access to healthcare services
  • Health equity and reducing health disparities
  • Healthcare workforce development
  • Social determinants of health (food security, economic stability, physical activity opportunities)

Eligible organizations must serve communities across Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange, Prince William, and Rappahannock counties, and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.

What They Don't Fund

  • UVA entities (UVA Health does not fund internal programs through this community grants program)
  • Organizations that discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, creed, gender, age, sexual orientation, or national origin

Governance and Leadership

Gary Jones II - Board Chair, UVA Community Health Foundation (appointed June 2024)

  • Nearly 30 years of experience in financial services
  • Market President for Commercial Lending at Burke & Herbert Bank
  • Previously served as foundation treasurer
  • Education: Bachelor's degree from The College of William and Mary; MBA from George Mason University
  • Active volunteer: Commissioner for City of Manassas Economic Development Authority; Board of Trustees for Youth for Tomorrow - New Life Center

Felicia Blow, PhD, APR - Executive Director, UVA Community Health Foundation (appointed June 2024)

  • More than 25 years' experience in fundraising, business development, public relations and communications

Erik Shannon - CEO, UVA Community Health

  • Over 30 years of healthcare experience in organizational and operational strategy
  • Named CEO in November 2022 (interim CEO from October 2021)
  • Previously partner at Grant Thornton, helping lead transition work to integrate UVA Community Health into UVA Health
  • Expertise in strategic planning, operational improvement, financial planning, and physician practice management

On the 2025 community grants, Shannon stated: "The grant recipients underscore our shared commitment to improving the health and well-being of the communities that we work together to serve. Each recipient represents a powerful force for positive change—addressing needs, bridging gaps, and where it makes the most difference. These grants reflect UVA Health's deep commitment to partnership and community collaboration."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through UVA Health's online portal at https://www.uvahealth.com/about/community. The application deadline is typically April 10 annually.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a nonprofit registered as Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code
  • Must serve the communities of UVA Health (Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange, Prince William, and Rappahannock counties, and cities of Manassas and Manassas Park)
  • Must align with UVA Health's mission, vision, and values
  • Must not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, creed, gender, age, sexual orientation, or national origin

Additional Requirement for Community Strong Grants: Organizations must have partnered with UVA Community Health for more than two years.

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline: April 10
  • Review Period: A review committee of subject matter experts evaluates applications
  • Award Notification: Typically by June
  • Total Timeline: Approximately 2-3 months from application deadline to award notification

Success Rates

In 2025, UVA Health's review committee evaluated over 80 applications and selected 38 recipients, representing a success rate of approximately 47%.

Historical data shows:

  • 2023: 26 organizations funded (~$200,000)
  • 2024: 42 organizations funded ($265,500)
  • 2025: 38 organizations funded ($297,000+)

Reapplication Policy

The presence of repeat recipients in multiple grant cycles suggests that previously funded organizations are welcome to reapply. Organizations that have received grants multiple times may be eligible for the higher-value Community Strong Grants ($25,000) if they have partnered with UVA Community Health for more than two years.

Application Success Factors

Based on UVA Health's stated priorities and grant-making patterns, successful applications should:

Align with CHNA Priorities: Organizations must demonstrate how their work addresses specific health priorities identified in UVA Health's Community Health Needs Assessment, particularly mental health, behavioral health, substance use, chronic diseases, or access to care.

Focus on Social Determinants of Health: Healthy Spark Grant recipients particularly benefit from addressing broader social determinants including food security, economic stability, access to healthcare, and opportunities for physical activity.

Serve Vulnerable Populations: UVA Health specifically notes that grants "support communities' most vulnerable populations." Successful applicants demonstrate commitment to serving those with the greatest health needs.

Demonstrate Health Equity and Inclusion: Organizations must "strive to reflect diversity, equity and inclusion" in their work. This is an explicit criterion in UVA Health's evaluation process.

Support Healthcare Workforce Development: Some grants specifically address the pipeline for healthcare workforce development, a strategic priority for UVA Health.

Build Long-term Partnerships: Organizations that have partnered with UVA Community Health for more than two years are eligible for larger Community Strong Grants ($25,000), indicating that UVA Health values sustained relationships and proven track records.

Geographic Alignment: Ensure your organization serves communities within UVA Health's service area (Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange, Prince William, and Rappahannock counties, and cities of Manassas and Manassas Park).

Example Recipients

2024 grant recipients included diverse organizations such as:

  • Mental Health Association of Fauquier County
  • Northern Virginia Food Rescue (addressing food security)
  • Postpartum Support Virginia (maternal health)
  • Brain Injury Services
  • Girls on the Run Piedmont (physical activity and youth development)
  • Fauquier Free Clinic and Orange County Free Clinic (healthcare access)
  • ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation (received 2025 Healthy Spark Grant for community connection events)
  • Rx Partnership (medication access)
  • Multiple organizations serving veterans, seniors, and families

This demonstrates the breadth of health-related causes UVA Health supports, from direct healthcare services to social determinants like food access, mental health support, and community connection programs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Time Your Application: The annual deadline is April 10, with decisions made by June. Plan well in advance and don't miss this single annual opportunity.

  • Know Your Grant Type: Apply for Healthy Spark Grants ($2,500-$5,000) if you're a newer partner, or Community Strong Grants ($25,000) if you've partnered with UVA Community Health for 2+ years.

  • Align with CHNA Priorities: Carefully review UVA Health's Community Health Needs Assessment and explicitly connect your work to identified priorities like mental health, chronic disease, substance use, or healthcare access.

  • Address Social Determinants: Don't just focus on medical interventions—UVA Health values addressing root causes like food insecurity, economic stability, and access barriers.

  • Demonstrate Equity Commitment: Show how your organization reflects diversity, equity, and inclusion and serves vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by health disparities.

  • Competition is Moderate: With a ~47% success rate (38 of 80+ applications in 2025), your chances are reasonable if you meet eligibility criteria and align well with priorities.

  • Build Long-term Relationships: If funded, maintain strong partnership with UVA Community Health to position yourself for larger Community Strong Grants in subsequent years.

  • Contact Program Staff: For questions or clarification, reach out to UVACHCommunityEngagement@uvahealth.org well before the deadline.

References

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