Episcopal Health Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $56.0 million (2023, per 990 filing)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Approximately 5 months (LOI to award notification)
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: 81 counties in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas (serving 15 million people)
• Total Assets: $1.17 billion (2023)

Contact Details

• Website: https://www.episcopalhealth.org
• Phone: 713.225.0900
• Email: info@episcopalhealth.org
• Address: 500 Fannin St. Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77002
• Vice President for Grants: C.J. Eisenbarth Hager (CHager@episcopalhealth.org, 832-807-2589)

Overview

Founded in 2013 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF) is a major health philanthropy with over $1.17 billion in assets. The foundation distributes millions annually to improve health outcomes across Texas, with their largest single grant cycle to date totalling $22.8 million in 2024. EHF focuses on addressing the non-medical drivers of health through strategic grantmaking, research, and community partnerships. Their mission is "changing systems and removing barriers to improve health, not just health care, for all Texans." The foundation operates as a supporting organisation of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, serving 15 million people across 81 counties.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

• General Operating Grants: Limited availability for select organisations
• Project-Based Grants: Support for specific initiatives addressing health equity
• Capacity Building Support: Free tools, coaching, and peer learning for community-led nonprofits through programmes like the Collaborating for Healthy Communities Initiative

Priority Areas

EHF focuses on three Impact Drivers:

• Strengthening Comprehensive Care: Supporting integrated health service delivery
• Activating Community Voices: Empowering community-led solutions
• Maximising Connections to Health Coverage: Improving access to benefits and services

Strategic focus areas include:

• Food and nutrition security
• Maternal health
• Diabetes prevention
• Health equity initiatives
• Community health worker programmes
• Multi-sector collaboration

What They Don't Fund

• Grants to individuals
• Conferences or fundraising events
• Capital projects
• Scholarships
• Religious purposes
• Routine service provision without innovation
• Research projects
• Political activities or lobbying

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO: Ann Barnes, MD, MPH (annbarnes@episcopalhealth.org, 832.807.2568)

• Focus on "innovative care solutions that go beyond the doctor's office to tackle social, economic, and environmental drivers of health"

Key Leadership Team:

• Shao-Chee Sim, PhD, MPA: Vice President for Research, Innovation and Evaluation
• C.J. Eisenbarth Hager: Vice President for Grants
• Zahyrah Blakeney: Vice President for Community Engagement
• Susybelle Gosslee: Chief Administrative Officer
• Brian Sasser: Chief Communications Officer

Board Leadership: Chair - Bishop C. Andrew Doyle; Executive Chair - Ms. Linnet Deily

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

1. Letter of Inquiry (LOI): Required first step submitted through Fluxx online portal
2. Full Application: By invitation only after LOI review
3. Requirements:
   • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status required
   • Organisations can apply once per calendar year
   • Service area must be within the Episcopal Diocese of Texas region

Decision Timeline

EHF typically operates annual grant cycles with the following general pattern:

• January: LOI submissions typically open and close in mid-January
• March: Full applications due (by invitation)
• May: Award notifications typically announced
• Total timeline: Approximately 5 months from LOI to decision

Success Rates

Specific success rates not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Organisations can apply for funds once per calendar year. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in the following year's cycle.

Application Success Factors

Based on EHF's strategic framework and funding patterns:

• Demonstrate Systems Change: Show how your project addresses root causes, not just symptoms
• Community-Led Approach: Emphasise authentic community engagement and leadership
• Multi-Sector Collaboration: Highlight partnerships across health, education, housing, and other sectors
• Health Equity Focus: Clearly articulate how your work reduces health disparities
• Innovation Beyond Service Delivery: Move beyond routine services to transformative approaches
• Data and Evaluation: Include robust evaluation plans with measurable outcomes
• Alignment with Impact Drivers: Explicitly connect your work to EHF's three priority impact drivers
• Geographic Relevance: Ensure clear service to populations within the Episcopal Diocese of Texas service area

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• EHF is a major funder with significant assets ($1.17 billion) making substantial grants ($56 million in 2023)
• Focus on systems change and addressing non-medical drivers of health is critical - avoid proposing routine service delivery
• Multi-stage application process requires strategic LOI development to secure full application invitation
• Strong emphasis on community-led solutions and authentic community voice
• Indirect costs capped at 20% for organisations with budgets under $500 million
• One application per year limit requires strategic timing and strong proposal development
• Contact Vice President for Grants C.J. Eisenbarth Hager for programme-specific questions

References

• Episcopal Health Foundation Official Website. https://www.episcopalhealth.org
• Episcopal Health Foundation Grantmaking Page. https://www.episcopalhealth.org/grantmaking/
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Episcopal Health Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/462599162
• Episcopal Health Foundation Leadership Page. https://www.episcopalhealth.org/who-we-are/about/staff/
• GuideStar Profile - Episcopal Health Foundation. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/46-2599162
• Episcopal Health Foundation News. https://www.episcopalhealth.org/news/