Foundation For Health Leadership And Innovation Incorporated

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $594,035 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Varies by program (4-6 months typical)
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $250,000+
• Geographic Focus: North Carolina (primarily)

Contact Details

• Website: https://foundationhli.org/
• Phone: (919) 821-0485
• Email: info@foundationhli.org
• Address: Cary, NC

Overview

The Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation (FHLI) is a North Carolina-based health foundation established in 1982 that operates as both a program implementer and grant maker. With total assets of $17 million and annual revenue of $12.8 million, FHLI focuses on advancing health equity and improving health outcomes across North Carolina through strategic grant-making and program management. The foundation manages several statewide health initiatives including NCCARE360, NC Oral Health Collaborative, and the NC Rural Health Association. Their grant-making activities, which distributed $594,035 across 16 awards in 2024, primarily support community organizations working to address social determinants of health, improve care coordination, and advance health equity for marginalized populations. FHLI maintains a 4-star Charity Navigator rating with a 96% overall score.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

NCCARE360 Community Organization Health Equity Grants: $25,000 - $100,000

• Supports community-based organizations onboarding to the NCCARE360 statewide coordinated care network
• Focus on organizations serving marginalized populations
• Funded through CDC and federal COVID-relief funds
• Application method: Periodic RFPs announced on website

NCCARE360 Network Support Agency Health Equity Grants: Up to $250,000

• For backbone organizations providing technical assistance to clusters of community organizations
• Covers 10 Triangle-area and 9 Triad-area counties in NC
• Application method: Targeted RFPs for qualified hub organizations

Jim Bernstein Community Health Leadership Fellowship: Two-year funded fellowship

• For emerging health leaders in rural/underserved NC communities
• Fellows develop and implement community health improvement projects
• Application method: Annual application cycle (typically opens in January for October start)

Jim and Sue Bernstein Health Center Scholarships: Variable amounts

• Annual scholarships for employees and dependents of NC rural health clinic staff
• Covers clinical education and college tuition
• Application method: Through eligible health centers (20 qualified centers)

Priority Areas

• Health equity and addressing social determinants of health
• Care coordination and integrated care systems
• Rural health workforce development
• Oral health access and improvement
• Maternal and child health
• Support for community-based organizations serving marginalized populations

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside North Carolina (rare exceptions)
• For-profit entities
• Individual medical expenses (outside of scholarship programs)
• General operating support unrelated to specific health programs
• Capital campaigns or building projects

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

• Rachel D. Keever, MD - President & CEO (joined 2025)
• Jean Shaw - Chief Financial Officer
• Hugh Tilson - Volunteer Director, Bernstein Fellowship
• Darrell Deaton - Vice President
• Erika Aliff - VP Communications

Board Officers:

• Kim Schwartz - Board Chair
• Tina Markanda - Vice Chair
• Karen Rogers - Treasurer
• Pamela Highsmith - Secretary

FHLI recently underwent leadership transitions with Dr. Rachel Keever joining as President & CEO in early 2025, following interim leadership by Chet Mottershead. The foundation emphasizes collaborative leadership and maintains strong partnerships with state agencies and community organizations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

FHLI uses multiple application methods depending on the program:

• NCCARE360 Grants: Periodic Request for Proposals (RFPs) announced on the NCCARE360 website and FHLI website
• Bernstein Fellowship: Annual application cycle with online application portal, typically opening in January
• Health Center Scholarships: Applications through eligible rural health centers
• Pre-application webinars and technical assistance sessions offered for major grant programs

Decision Timeline

• NCCARE360 grants: 4-6 months from RFP close to award announcement
• Bernstein Fellowship: 6-8 months from application to fellowship start (January to October)
• Scholarship programs: 2-3 months typical review period

Success Rates

Specific success rates not publicly disclosed, though the foundation awarded:

• 16 grants in 2024
• 26 grants in 2023
• 11 grants in 2022

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent funding cycles. The foundation encourages organizations to incorporate feedback and demonstrate program improvements in reapplications.

Application Success Factors

Based on FHLI's funded projects and stated priorities:

• Strong alignment with NCCARE360 network goals: Organizations that demonstrate clear understanding of care coordination and readiness to join the statewide network
• Evidence of health equity impact: Projects must show how they will reduce health disparities for specific marginalized populations
• Collaborative approach: FHLI values partnerships - successful applicants often demonstrate existing or planned collaborations with other organizations
• Data and evaluation capacity: Ability to track outcomes and participate in statewide data sharing initiatives
• Sustainability planning: Clear plans for maintaining programs beyond grant period
• Rural or underserved community focus: Priority given to organizations serving NC's rural and historically underserved communities

Recent successful grantees include organizations like The Arc of North Carolina, LGBT Center of Raleigh, and Veterans Bridge Home, suggesting FHLI values diverse approaches to addressing health needs across different populations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• FHLI is a hybrid organization that both operates programs and makes grants - understand which programs your organization might fit within
• Grant opportunities are project-specific rather than general operating support - align proposals with specific FHLI initiatives
• Strong emphasis on health equity and social determinants of health - use this language and framework in applications
• Technology adoption (particularly NCCARE360 platform) is often a requirement - demonstrate technical readiness
• Geographic restrictions apply - most funding limited to North Carolina organizations
• Consider starting with smaller community organization grants before applying for larger network support agency roles
• Track RFP announcements on both FHLI and NCCARE360 websites as opportunities are time-limited

References

• Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation Official Website. https://foundationhli.org/ (Accessed February 2025)
• NCCARE360 Past Funding Opportunities. https://nccare360.org/past-funding-opportunities/ (Accessed February 2025)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - FHLI Form 990 (2024). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/581461316 (Accessed February 2025)
• Charity Navigator Rating for FHLI. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/581461316 (Accessed February 2025)
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/foundation-for-health-leadership-and-innovation-incorporated (Accessed February 2025)
• FHLI Operational Update (December 2024). https://foundationhli.org/fhli-operational-update/ (Accessed February 2025)
• Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust Grant to FHLI. https://kbr.org/grants/foundation-for-health-leadership-and-innovation-inc-11/ (Accessed February 2025)