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Inova Health System Foundation

Annual Giving
$34.2M
Grant Range
$25K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo
Success Rate
23%

Inova Health System Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $34,238,104 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Approximately 23% (23 organizations funded from Health Equity program in 2022)
  • Decision Time: Approximately 6-7 weeks (applications close mid-April, awards announced early June)
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $50,000 (Community Health Opportunities program)
  • Geographic Focus: Northern Virginia and Washington DC metro area
  • Total Assets: Over $5 billion

Contact Details

Address: 8095 Innovation Park Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031

Phone: 703-289-2072 (Foundation general) | 571-472-3445 (Grants Management Office) | 855-694-6682 (General inquiries)

Email: chf@inova.org (Community Health Opportunities technical assistance) | healthequityopps@inova.org (Health Equity Opportunities)

Website: foundation.inova.org | inova.org/about-us/grants-management

Overview

Inova Health System Foundation, established in 1977, serves as the philanthropic arm of Inova Health System, the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in Northern Virginia and the Washington DC metropolitan area. With over $5 billion in assets and $34.2 million distributed in grants during 2023, the Foundation supports Inova's strategic priorities in cancer care, cardiovascular and neurological services, behavioral health, and community health needs. The Foundation is currently executing a comprehensive $500 million fundraising campaign titled "Do. More. Together" focusing on cancer care, heart and vascular services, behavioral health, and the greatest community health needs.

In addition to supporting internal Inova programs, the Foundation has expanded its community grant-making through the Community Health Opportunities program (formerly Health Equity Opportunities), which provides competitive grants to local nonprofit organizations addressing health disparities and social determinants of health in Northern Virginia. The Foundation's community grant-making has grown substantially, with $1 million awarded to 23 organizations through the Health Equity program in 2022, and continued annual cycles supporting community partners.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Health Opportunities (Annual Cycle)

  • Grant Range: Typically $25,000 - $50,000 (average $25,000)
  • Application Method: Annual competitive process with online portal
  • Fixed Deadline: Mid-April (2025 deadline: April 18 at noon)
  • Total Funding Available: Over $1 million annually across multiple grantees

Internal Inova Programs (Trustee-Directed)

  • Annual Distribution: $34.2 million (2023)
  • Application Method: Internal allocation by Foundation board
  • Programs Supported: Inova Juniper Program, Inova Cares for Women, Children, and Families, Inova Healthy Plate Club, Inova Lions Eye Clinic, Inova Kellar Center's Behavioral Services Program, cancer care, cardiovascular care, neurological care

Priority Areas

The Foundation's community grant-making focuses on three interconnected priority areas aligned with Inova's Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs):

  1. Behavioral Health: Mental health services, substance abuse treatment, trauma-informed care, and integrated behavioral health programs
  2. Health Access: Removing barriers to healthcare, care coordination, health navigation, culturally appropriate care, and services for underserved populations
  3. Economic Stability: Addressing social determinants of health including food security, housing stability, employment support, and financial wellness

Special Consideration: The Foundation gives special consideration to organizations owned and/or operated by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), though this is not a requirement for eligibility.

Geographic Priority: Organizations must be located in and serve residents within the areas evaluated by Inova's Community Health Needs Assessments, which include communities throughout Northern Virginia (including Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties).

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations that received Community Health Opportunities funding in the previous year (must wait one cycle before reapplying)
  • Organizations located outside Northern Virginia or that do not serve CHNA-evaluated communities
  • Projects unrelated to behavioral health, health access, or economic stability
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Individuals or for-profit entities

Governance and Leadership

Inova Health Foundation Board of Trustees

Board Chair: Robert G. Hisaoka

Vice Chair for Team Member Engagement: Craig Cheifetz, MD

Board Members: Maris Angolia, Paul Bajaj MD, Mary Ann Best, Sage Bolte PhD LCSW CST FAOSW, Rose Carter

Executive Leadership

President and Chief Philanthropy Officer: Sage Bolte, PhD, LCSW, CST, FAOSW

Dr. Bolte leads Inova's efforts to establish a culture of philanthropy across the organization, partnering with the Foundation's board of trustees, Inova leadership and team members, volunteers, and donors to achieve Inova's mission. She oversees both the Foundation's fundraising operations and its community grant-making programs.

Inova Health System Leadership

President and CEO, Inova Health System: J. Stephen Jones, MD, FACS

Board Chair, Inova Health System: Nazzic Keene

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply - Community Health Opportunities Program

Inova accepts applications through an annual competitive cycle with a structured online application process:

  1. Review Eligibility: Confirm your organization meets all four eligibility criteria (not a 2024 recipient, 501(c)(3) status, located in CHNA service area, focus on behavioral health/health access/economic stability)

  2. Review Priorities: Consult the annual "Community Health Opportunities Priorities and Recommendations" document available on Inova's website to ensure alignment with current funding priorities

  3. Submit Application: Complete the online application through Inova's grants portal at inova.org before the noon deadline

  4. Technical Assistance: Email chf@inova.org for application support (available until the day before the deadline)

  5. One Application Rule: Organizations may submit only one application per cycle

Application Components: Applications require organizational information, project description, budget narrative, alignment with CHNA priorities, and demonstration of capacity to execute the proposed program.

Special Requirement: All awardees must agree to participate in the Unite Us/Unite Virginia referral platform for care coordination.

Decision Timeline

2025 Timeline (Representative of Annual Cycle):

MilestoneDate
Applications OpenMarch 17, 2025
Application DeadlineApril 18, 2025 at noon
Awards AnnouncedJune 2, 2025
Award Recognition LuncheonJune 17, 2025
Funding ReleasedAugust 1, 2025
Spending DeadlineJuly 31, 2026

Notification Method: Applicants are notified of award decisions via email approximately 6-7 weeks after the application deadline closes.

Grant Period: Awardees have approximately 12 months from the funding release date to utilize grant funds.

Success Rates

Based on the 2022 Health Equity Grants cycle, approximately 23 organizations were funded from the applicant pool, suggesting a competitive process. The Foundation awarded $1 million total to these 23 recipients, representing an average award of approximately $43,000 per organization.

While precise application numbers are not publicly disclosed, the program is competitive given the substantial interest from Northern Virginia nonprofits addressing health equity and social determinants of health.

Reapplication Policy

Mandatory Waiting Period: Organizations that received Community Health Opportunities funding in the previous year are explicitly ineligible to apply in the following cycle. This ensures broad distribution of funds across the nonprofit community.

Reapplication After Waiting Period: Organizations that have waited one cycle may reapply and are not penalized for having received previous funding.

Unsuccessful Applicants: Organizations that applied but were not funded may reapply in the next annual cycle without restriction.

Encouraged Approach: Inova encourages applicants to consider partnering with other eligible community nonprofits to maximize applications and ability to support the community.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Community Health Needs Assessments

Successful applicants demonstrate clear alignment with priorities identified in Inova's Community Health Needs Assessments. Review the current year's "Community Health Opportunities Priorities and Recommendations" document to understand which specific health needs Inova has identified as most pressing for the community. Applications should explicitly reference CHNA findings and explain how the proposed project addresses documented community needs.

Focus on Health Equity and Underserved Populations

Inova prioritizes projects serving under-resourced communities and promoting equity for all. Applications should clearly identify the populations served, demonstrate understanding of health disparities affecting those populations, and explain how the project will advance health equity. Organizations owned and operated by BIPOC leaders receive special consideration, reflecting Inova's commitment to community-based leadership.

Concrete, Measurable Impact

According to application guidance, Inova requires applicants to "propose impactful projects in their community that address issues identified in the Inova Community Health Needs Assessments and demonstrate good stewardship of resources." Successful applications include specific, measurable outcomes, realistic timelines, and clear metrics for evaluating success.

Integration Across Priority Areas

While applications must focus on behavioral health, health access, and/or economic stability, Inova recognizes these areas are interconnected. Strong applications often address multiple priority areas—for example, a project might improve health access while simultaneously addressing economic barriers to care.

Evidence of Past Recipients' Success

Past funded organizations provide insight into Inova's priorities:

2022-2023 Health Equity Grant Recipients (Partial List):

  • LAZERA Ministries
  • United Community
  • Growth and Healing HUB
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington
  • The Campagna Center
  • Loudoun Literacy Council
  • La Cocina VA

2025 Community Health Opportunities Recipients:

  • Adaptive Fitness Legion
  • Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB)
  • Cornerstone
  • Friends of Guest House
  • George Mason University Foundation, Inc.
  • Hispanics Against Child Abuse and Neglect (HACAN)
  • Insight Memory Care
  • Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington
  • Loudoun Education Foundation
  • Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers
  • Marie Maxey Foundation
  • Move2Learn
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
  • Nueva Vida Inc
  • Provision Kitchen
  • Real Food for Kids
  • Second Story
  • Shelter House – Loudoun Homeless Services Center
  • STEM for Her
  • The Lamb Center
  • The Spitfire Club

These organizations represent diverse approaches to addressing health equity, including food security, mental health services, educational support, housing assistance, cultural competency, and community-based programming.

Partnership and Collaboration

Inova explicitly encourages applicants to "consider partnering with other eligible community nonprofits to maximize their applications and ability to support the community they serve." Collaborative applications that leverage multiple organizations' strengths and extend reach may be viewed favorably.

Capacity and Stewardship

Applications must demonstrate organizational capacity to execute the proposed project and good stewardship of resources. Include information about organizational infrastructure, relevant experience, qualified staff, and financial management systems.

Participation in Unite Us Platform

All awardees must participate in the Unite Us/Unite Virginia referral platform for coordinated care. Applications should acknowledge willingness to engage with this care coordination system, which connects community organizations and healthcare providers for seamless client referrals.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Timing is Critical: The application deadline is firm (noon on the specified date in mid-April), and technical assistance ends the day before. Plan to submit early and use available support resources via chf@inova.org.

  • One-Year Waiting Period: If you received funding in the previous year, you are ineligible to apply this cycle. Plan your funding pipeline accordingly and consider partnering with other organizations during your waiting year.

  • CHNA Alignment is Non-Negotiable: Your project must clearly align with priorities identified in Inova's Community Health Needs Assessments. Download and thoroughly review the current year's "Priorities and Recommendations" document before applying.

  • Emphasize Health Equity: Inova's community grant-making is explicitly focused on addressing health inequities and serving under-resourced populations. Applications should center health equity and clearly identify the communities served.

  • Average Award is $25,000: While the range extends to $50,000, the average award is approximately $25,000. Budget requests should be realistic and demonstrate strong return on investment.

  • Competition is Significant: With approximately 23 organizations funded annually and strong community interest, the program is competitive. Applications must clearly differentiate your organization's approach and demonstrate measurable impact.

  • Partnership Can Strengthen Applications: Inova encourages collaborative applications. Consider partnering with complementary organizations to expand reach, demonstrate community coordination, and address multiple aspects of health needs.

References

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