Inova Health System Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,200,000 (2023 Community Health Opportunities programme)
• Success Rate: Competitive (23 organisations funded in recent cycle)
• Decision Time: Approximately 6-7 weeks
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $50,000 (Community Health Opportunities programme)
• Geographic Focus: Northern Virginia and Washington DC metro area
• Total Assets: $7,860,546,699

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 enquiries)

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 $7.8 billion in assets, the Foundation supports Inova's strategic priorities in cancer care, cardiovascular and neurological services, behavioural 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, behavioural health, and the greatest community health needs.

In addition to supporting internal Inova programmes, the Foundation has expanded its community grant-making through the Community Health Opportunities programme (formerly Health Equity Opportunities), which provides competitive grants to local nonprofit organisations addressing health disparities and social determinants of health in Northern Virginia. The Foundation's community grant-making has grown substantially, with $1.2 million awarded to 23 organisations through the Health Equity programme in 2023.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Community Health Opportunities (Annual Cycle)

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

Internal Inova Programmes (Trustee-Directed)

• Application Method: Internal allocation by Foundation board
• Programmes 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. Behavioural Health: Mental health services, substance abuse treatment, trauma-informed care, and integrated behavioural health programmes
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 organisations owned and/or operated by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), though this is not a requirement for eligibility.

Geographic Priority: Organisations 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

• Organisations that received Community Health Opportunities funding in the previous year (must wait one cycle before reapplying)
• Organisations located outside Northern Virginia or that do not serve CHNA-evaluated communities
• Projects unrelated to behavioural health, health access, or economic stability
• Organisations 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 organisation, 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 programmes.

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 Programme

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

1. Review Eligibility: Confirm your organisation meets all four eligibility criteria (not a previous year recipient, 501(c)(3) status, located in CHNA service area, focus on behavioural 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: Organisations may submit only one application per cycle

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

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

Decision Timeline

Annual Cycle Timeline:

Milestone	Typical Timing
Applications Open	Mid-March
Application Deadline	Mid-April at noon
Awards Announced	Early June
Award Recognition Luncheon	Mid-June
Funding Released	Early August
Spending Deadline	Following July (approximately 12 months)

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 utilise grant funds.

Success Rates

Based on recent cycles, approximately 23 organisations have been funded from the applicant pool, suggesting a competitive process. The Foundation awards over $1 million total to recipients in the Community Health Opportunities programme.

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

Reapplication Policy

Mandatory Waiting Period: Organisations 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: Organisations that have waited one cycle may reapply and are not penalised for having received previous funding.

Unsuccessful Applicants: Organisations 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 maximise 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 prioritises 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. Organisations 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 behavioural health, health access, and/or economic stability, Inova recognises 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 organisations provide insight into Inova's priorities:

Recent 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

Recent 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 Centre
• STEM for Her
• The Lamb Center
• The Spitfire Club

These organisations 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 maximise their applications and ability to support the community they serve." Collaborative applications that leverage multiple organisations' strengths and extend reach may be viewed favourably.

Capacity and Stewardship

Applications must demonstrate organisational capacity to execute the proposed project and good stewardship of resources. Include information about organisational 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 organisations 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 organisations 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.

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

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

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

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

References

• Inova Health Foundation Official Website - Accessed December 2024
• Inova Grants Management - Accessed December 2024
• Inova Community Health Opportunities Program - Accessed December 2024
• Inova Awards $1.2 million in Health Equity Support to Local Nonprofits - Inova Newsroom, August 2023
• Inova Community Health Opportunities Accepting 2025 Applications - Inova Newsroom, March 2025
• Inova Awards Funding to Regional Healthcare Providers - Inova Newsroom, June 2025
• Inova Health System Foundation Profile - GuideStar - Accessed December 2024
• Inova Health System Foundation - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Accessed December 2024
• Inova Health Foundation Board Leadership - Accessed December 2024
• Inova Health System Leadership - Accessed December 2024
• Inova Community Health Opportunities Priorities and Recommendations - Inova