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Episcopal Health Foundation

Annual Giving
$22.8M
Decision Time
5mo

Episcopal Health Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $22.8 million (2024 grant cycle)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: ~5 months (LOI to award notification)
  • Grant Range: Not publicly specified
  • Geographic Focus: 57 counties in Episcopal Diocese of Texas (serving 15 million people across 80 counties)
  • Total Assets: $1.22 billion (2024)

Contact Details

Overview

Founded in 2013 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF) is a major health philanthropy with $1.22 billion in assets. The foundation distributes millions annually to improve health outcomes across Texas, with their largest single grant cycle to date totaling $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 with annual revenue of $88.7 million, primarily from investments and asset management.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • General Operating Grants: Limited availability for select organizations
  • Project-Based Grants: Support for specific initiatives addressing health equity
  • Capacity Building Support: Free tools, coaching, and peer learning for community-led nonprofits (starting February 2026)

Priority Areas

EHF focuses on three Impact Drivers for 2026:

  • Strengthening Comprehensive Care: Supporting integrated health service delivery
  • Activating Community Voices: Empowering community-led solutions
  • Maximizing 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 programs
  • 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: Executive Vice President for Health Policy, Research & Strategic Partnerships
  • 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 Co-Chairs: Bishop C. Andrew Doyle and 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
    • Organizations can apply once per calendar year
    • Service area must be within 57-county Episcopal Diocese of Texas region

Decision Timeline

2026 Grant Cycle Timeline:

  • January 5, 2026: LOI submissions open
  • January 16, 2026: LOI submissions due
  • March 6, 2026: Full applications due (by invitation)
  • May 28, 2026: Award notifications
  • Total timeline: ~5 months from LOI to decision

Success Rates

Specific success rates not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Organizations 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: Emphasize 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 57-county service area

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • EHF is a major funder with significant assets ($1.22 billion) making substantial grants ($22.8 million in recent cycle)
  • 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 organizations 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 program-specific questions

References

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