The SCAN Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $6.2 million (2023)
• Total Assets: $260 million (assets under management)
• Geographic Focus: California (primary), with national policy focus
• Grant Range: $50,000 - $825,000+
• Application Process: Invitation-only (does not accept unsolicited proposals)
• Founded: 2008

Contact Details

Address: 3800 Kilroy Airport Way, Suite 400, Long Beach, CA 90806

Phone: 888-569-7226

Email: info@thescanfoundation.org

Website: https://www.thescanfoundation.org/

Overview

The SCAN Foundation was established in April 2008 through a one-time $205 million contribution from the nonprofit SCAN Health Plan, making it one of the nation's largest foundations focused on aging. Under the leadership of President and CEO Dr. Sarita A. Mohanty, MD, MPH, MBA, the Foundation has embraced a bold vision: "shaping a future where aging is inclusive, equitable, and rooted in community and lived experience." Since 2014, the Foundation has awarded 456 grants totaling $39.6 million. In 2023 alone, they disbursed $6.2 million across 54 grants. The Foundation has received a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator with a score of 96%. As a vocal champion of California's first-in-the-nation Master Plan for Aging, The SCAN Foundation integrates policy and programmatic grantmaking with mission-aligned impact investing ($260 million in assets under management) to drive near-term solutions and long-term systems-level changes for older adults.

Funding Priorities

Strategic Framework 2023-2025

The Foundation focuses on four strategic objectives:

1. Models of Care: Evolve models of care and financing so health and aging supports reflect needs and preferences
2. Data Equity: Drive representation in data collection and analysis across the health and social care ecosystem
3. Financial Security: Improve older adult financial stability
4. Health Equity: Reduce health disparities and enhance quality of life for older adults

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

• Long-term care and aging in place
• Medicare-Medicaid integration for dual-eligible populations
• Health equity for marginalized older adults
• Community-based solutions and coalitions
• Policy research and advocacy
• Data equity and algorithmic fairness in healthcare technology
• Financial security for older adults

Priority Populations: The Foundation prioritizes communities that have been historically marginalized with emphasis on:

• Older adults of color
• Those with lower- and middle-incomes
• Rural and geographically underserved communities
• People where race and ethnicity intersect with other factors (age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, language)

Geographic Focus

Primary focus on California, with grantmaking explicitly benefiting Californians. However, since care for California seniors is largely financed by federal programs (Medicare and Medicaid), the Foundation's policy work also has a national focus.

What They Fund

• Research: Inclusive research that fills knowledge gaps and provides actionable insights for policymakers
• Lived Experience Projects: Initiatives that elevate the voices of older adults, such as "The People Say" project ($823,560 for 2024-2025)
• Coalitions: Cross-sector partnerships and regional collaborations, such as county-level Master Plan for Aging coalitions
• Policy Advocacy: Support for stakeholder engagement in policy development and implementation
• Community Organizing: Equity Community Organizing (ECO) Groups ($225,000 per group for 18-month projects)
• Innovation: Public-private partnerships advancing technology equity and algorithmic fairness
• Impact Investments: Mission-aligned investments in affordable housing, fintech for financial resilience, and healthcare AI equity

Recent Grant Examples (2024-2025)

• Booker T. Washington Community Service Center: ECO Group grant (part of $900,000 total initiative)
• California Black Women's Health Project: ECO Group grant
• Healthcare Foundation of Northern Sonoma County: $225,000 for ECO Group in Cloverdale
• Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation: ECO Group grant
• Justice in Aging: Stakeholder engagement for California's Master Plan for Aging
• USC Equity Research Institute: Mapping community-based organizations in rural and underserved areas
• UMass Boston: Research on discrimination's impact on older adults' healthcare experiences
• The People Say: $823,560 for amplifying voices of older adults in policymaking

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO

Sarita A. Mohanty, MD, MPH, MBA - Recognized on Forbes 50 over 50 list. Dr. Mohanty has articulated the Foundation's vision: "We are an independent public charity focused on all of us aging well with purpose. That is really our vision statement because our current aging infrastructure does not serve all Americans equitably." She describes their mission as "to ignite bold and equitable solutions that advance the way people can age well in home and community…innovation, scalable solutions that address those critical barriers and risks that these particular priority populations are facing — from healthcare to financial security and housing."

Board of Directors

• Sarita A. Mohanty, MD, MPH, MBA - President and CEO
• Melanie Bella - Head of Partnerships and Policy for Cityblock Health
• Celeste Ortiz - Chief People Officer at Crossover Health
• Cheryl Phillips, MD, AGSF - Immediate past-president and CEO of the Special Needs Plan Alliance
• Margarita Quihuis - Executive Director of the Peace Innovation Lab at Stanford and the Peace Innovation Institute in The Hague
• Arthur M. Southam, MD - Appointed March 2025; retired in 2023 as National Executive Vice President of Health Plan Operations and Chief Growth Officer for Kaiser Permanente
• Gary Trujillo - Serial entrepreneur and venture capital investor for over 30 years

Key Staff

The Foundation employs a dedicated staff team including a Director of Impact Investments who helps shape mission-aligned investment strategy for the $260 million in assets under management.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The SCAN Foundation does not currently accept unsolicited proposals. The Foundation engages in strategic grantmaking to achieve its mission, proactively identifying and inviting organizations to apply for funding rather than responding to open applications.

When grants are awarded through competitive processes, the Foundation receives significant interest. For example, their 2024 Advancing Health Equity in Aging initiative attracted interest from more than 70 organizations statewide, from which four were selected.

Getting on Their Radar

While The SCAN Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, there are specific ways organizations can position themselves for future consideration:

1. Demonstrate Community-Centered Expertise Grant recipients are selected for their demonstrated expertise in shifting power to the community. Organizations that can show track records of centering older adults' lived experiences and elevating marginalized voices align with the Foundation's values.

2. Align with Strategic Priorities The Foundation's 2023-2025 strategic framework focuses on Models of Care, Data Equity, Financial Security, and Health Equity. Organizations working at the intersection of these areas—particularly those addressing structural barriers for priority populations—are most aligned with Foundation interests.

3. Engage with California's Master Plan for Aging The Foundation is a vocal champion of California's Master Plan for Aging and supports stakeholder engagement in its implementation. Organizations actively participating in MPA development or implementation at state, regional, or local levels may have opportunities to connect with the Foundation's work.

4. Join Relevant Networks The Foundation convenes stakeholders and supports coalitions. Participating in networks focused on aging, health equity, and integrated care may provide visibility and opportunities to engage with Foundation-supported initiatives.

5. Grantee Resources The Foundation maintains a Grantee Resources page on their website for current grantees, suggesting they invest in ongoing relationships with funded organizations.

Selection Criteria (When Opportunities Arise)

Based on recent grant awards, the Foundation appears to prioritize:

• Organizations with deep roots in marginalized communities
• Demonstrated expertise in community organizing and power-sharing
• Capacity to engage older adults directly in identifying inequities and co-designing solutions
• Alignment with California Master Plan for Aging goals
• Track record in serving priority populations (older adults of color, lower- and middle-income, rural communities)
• Ability to work across sectors and build coalitions

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines vary by initiative. For the 2024 Advancing Health Equity in Aging grants, the selected organizations worked from January 2024 through June 2025 (18-month grants).

Application Success Factors

What The SCAN Foundation Values

1. Centering Lived Experience Dr. Mohanty emphasizes: "At The SCAN Foundation, they center older adults' lived experiences to guide their efforts." The Foundation's flagship project "The People Say" exemplifies this approach—amplifying real voices in policymaking.

2. Addressing Structural Inequities The Foundation takes an intersectional approach, seeking to "reduce health inequities and improve the lives of older adults" by addressing "the structural inequities caused by an uneven distribution of power."

3. Community Power and Voice Grant recipients are explicitly selected for "demonstrated expertise in shifting power to the community." The Equity Community Organizing (ECO) Groups model requires grantees to "elevate the voices of marginalized older adults."

4. Cross-Sector Collaboration The Foundation works "across sectors to address structural barriers and build more equitable systems for aging," funding coalitions that connect stakeholders including individuals with lived experience.

5. Systems-Level Change The Foundation seeks "near-term solutions and long-term, systems-level changes" rather than short-term fixes. They fund initiatives like California's Master Plan for Aging that aim to transform entire systems.

6. Data-Driven and Evidence-Based The Data Equity Initiative and support for research demonstrate commitment to "inclusive research that fills knowledge gaps and provides actionable insights for policymakers."

Recent Funded Project Models

Equity Community Organizing (ECO) Groups: Four organizations received grants to form ECO Groups that engage marginalized older adults in identifying health inequity drivers and co-designing solutions. This model demonstrates the Foundation's preference for community-led, participatory approaches.

Regional Coalitions: Three county-level coalitions in rural California counties were funded to co-create regional Master Plans for Aging, showing support for place-based, collaborative initiatives.

Research-to-Policy: Funding for organizations like Justice in Aging to facilitate stakeholder engagement demonstrates the pathway from research to policy implementation.

Technology Equity: The partnership with Dandelion Health to advance algorithmic equity shows interest in ensuring older adults benefit equitably from healthcare innovations.

Language and Terminology Used

The Foundation frequently uses terms like:

• "Aging well with purpose"
• "Bold and equitable solutions"
• "Lived experience"
• "Shifting power to community"
• "Historically marginalized communities"
• "Priority populations"
• "Systems-level change"
• "Integrated care"
• "Aging in place"

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-Only Model: The SCAN Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Focus on building visibility through networks, coalitions, and alignment with their strategic priorities rather than submitting applications.

• Deep California Focus with National Reach: While primarily focused on benefiting Californians, the Foundation's policy work extends nationally due to federal Medicare/Medicaid financing. California-based organizations have the strongest alignment, particularly those engaged with the Master Plan for Aging.

• Community-Centered Approach is Essential: The Foundation explicitly selects partners for "demonstrated expertise in shifting power to the community." Organizations must show genuine engagement with older adults in decision-making, not just service delivery.

• Priority Populations are Central: Grant proposals and projects must demonstrate clear benefit to historically marginalized older adults—particularly people of color, those with lower- and middle-incomes, and rural communities. Intersectional approaches are valued.

• Systems Change Over Services: The Foundation seeks to transform systems, not just provide services. Even community-organizing grants are designed to identify systemic inequities and inform policy change.

• Strategic Framework Alignment: The 2023-2025 framework (Models of Care, Data Equity, Financial Security, Health Equity) provides the roadmap. Organizations should position their work within these four strategic objectives.

• Coalition and Partnership Readiness: Many Foundation grants support multi-organization coalitions and cross-sector partnerships. Demonstrated ability to collaborate and convene diverse stakeholders strengthens positioning.

References

1. The SCAN Foundation Official Website - https://www.thescanfoundation.org/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
2. The SCAN Foundation Grantmaking Page - https://www.thescanfoundation.org/grantmaking/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
3. The SCAN Foundation About Us Page - https://www.thescanfoundation.org/about-us/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
4. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: The Scan Foundation (EIN 45-0552845) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/450552845 - Accessed February 25, 2026
5. GuideStar Profile: The SCAN Foundation - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/45-0552845 - Accessed February 25, 2026
6. Cause IQ: The Scan Foundation - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/scan-foundation,450552845/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
7. Charity Navigator Rating for The Scan Foundation - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/450552845 - Accessed February 25, 2026
8. "The SCAN Foundation Announces Grants to Advance Health Equity For Older Adults In Four California Communities" - Business Wire, February 15, 2024 - https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240215239284/en/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
9. "Four California Organizations to Address Inequities Among Older Adults" - The SCAN Foundation News & Insights - https://www.thescanfoundation.org/news-insight/four-california-organizations-to-address-inequities-among-older-adults/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
10. "Healthcare Foundation Receives a Major Grant from The SCAN Foundation" - Healthcare Foundation Northern Sonoma County - https://healthcarefoundation.net/healthcare-foundation-receives-a-major-grant-from-the-scan-foundation-to-strengthen-participation-of-elderly-residents-in-cloverdale/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
11. The SCAN Foundation Board of Directors - https://www.thescanfoundation.org/about/board-of-directors/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
12. The SCAN Foundation Staff Page - https://www.thescanfoundation.org/about/foundation-staff/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
13. "Accelerating Innovation in Aging: The SCAN Foundation Gains Vital Health Care Leadership" - The SCAN Foundation News - https://www.thescanfoundation.org/news-insight/accelerating-innovation-in-aging-the-scan-foundation-gains-vital-health-care-leadership/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
14. "Dr. Sarita Mohanty, President & CEO of The SCAN Foundation: Collaborative Solutions to Support Aging Well" - Futuro Health Podcast - https://futurohealth.org/podcast/dr-sarita-mohanty-president-ceo-of-the-scan-foundation-collaborative-solutions-to-support-aging-well/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
15. Sarita A. Mohanty Profile - The SCAN Foundation - https://www.thescanfoundation.org/people/sarita-a-mohanty-md-mph-mba/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
16. The SCAN Foundation Impact Investing - https://www.thescanfoundation.org/impact-investing/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
17. The SCAN Foundation Data Equity Initiative - https://www.thescanfoundation.org/data-equity/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
18. The SCAN Foundation Our Priorities - https://www.thescanfoundation.org/our-priorities/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
19. The SCAN Foundation Long-Term Care Priority - https://www.thescanfoundation.org/priority/long-term-care/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
20. The SCAN Foundation Medicare-Medicaid Integration - https://www.thescanfoundation.org/priority/medicare-medicaid-integration/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
21. "Every State Should Have a Multisector Plan for Aging" - The SCAN Foundation - https://www.thescanfoundation.org/initiatives/california-master-plan/ - Accessed February 25, 2026
22. "SCAN Health Plan Announces Creation of $205 Million Foundation Dedicated to the Needs of Seniors" - Fierce Healthcare, April 2008 - https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/healthcare/scan-health-plan-announces-creation-205-million-foundation-dedicated-to-needs-seniors - Accessed February 25, 2026