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St Lukes Health Foundation Ltd

Annual Giving
$7.6M
Grant Range
Up to $0.0M00
Decision Time
4mo
Success Rate
68%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,604,856 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Approximately 60-75% (130+ applicants, 69-100 awards annually)
  • Decision Time: 3-4 months
  • Grant Range: Up to $20,000 per award
  • Geographic Focus: Idaho (Treasure Valley, Magic Valley, Wood River, McCall, Elmore County, Adams County, Valley County)

Contact Details

Main Office:

  • Address: 190 E. Bannock Street, Boise, ID 83712
  • Phone: (208) 381-2222
  • Website: stlukesonline.org/CHIF

Magic Valley Region:

Overview

St. Luke's Health Foundation Ltd was established in 2002 as a not-for-profit organization to develop philanthropic resources that support St. Luke's mission "to improve the health of people in the communities we serve." With over $7.6 million in annual grant distribution, the Foundation primarily supports St. Luke's Health System facilities across Boise, Jerome, Ketchum, McCall, Meridian, Mountain Home, Nampa, and Twin Falls. The Foundation has earned a 4-star rating (100% score) from Charity Navigator, reflecting strong financial health and accountability. Beyond internal institutional support, the Foundation operates the Community Health Improvement Fund (CHIF), which annually awards nearly $1 million to external nonprofit organizations addressing social determinants of health across St. Luke's operating regions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Health Improvement Fund (CHIF) - Treasure Valley/Multi-Region:

  • Up to $20,000 per grant
  • Application window: August (closes September 30)
  • Awards announced: December/January
  • Online application at stlukesonline.org/CHIF

Community Health Improvement Fund (CHIF) - Magic Valley:

  • Up to $20,000 per grant
  • Application windows: February-March and August-September (twice annually)
  • Awards announced: November

Internal St. Luke's Programs:

  • Patient Assistance Fund
  • Children's Healthcare
  • Cancer Care
  • Heart and Vascular Care
  • Orthopedics
  • Hospice Care
  • NICU support
  • Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health

Priority Areas

CHIF grants prioritize organizations addressing St. Luke's Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) identified priorities:

Boise/Meridian, Elmore, McCall, and Nampa regions:

  • Safe, affordable housing and homelessness
  • Behavioral health (mental health and substance misuse)
  • Access to affordable health care (including oral and vision)

Jerome and Magic Valley regions:

  • Access to health-related services (including language and cultural barriers)
  • Mental well-being (including suicide prevention)
  • Cost of living (including housing, childcare, and education)

Wood River Valley:

  • Access to health-related services
  • Mental well-being (including suicide and substance misuse)
  • High cost of living (housing, caregiving, and early learning)

Cross-cutting priorities:

  • Social determinants of health: safe neighborhoods, transportation, access to nutritious foods
  • Prevention, detection, and treatment of obesity and diabetes
  • Prevention, detection, and management of mental illness and suicide reduction
  • Access to affordable health care and health insurance
  • Collaborative and equity-driven approaches

What They Don't Fund

Information about explicit exclusions is not publicly documented. CHIF is specifically designed for nonprofit organizations and government entities working to improve community health; projects outside these parameters are unlikely to receive funding.

Governance and Leadership

St. Luke's Foundation Board:

  • Joe Forney (Chair)
  • Chris Roth (President and CEO of St. Luke's Health System)
  • Darin DeAngeli
  • Andy Emerson
  • Rich Raimondi
  • Paula Riggs
  • Dave Snelson
  • Justin Vipperman
  • John Wright

St. Luke's Health System Leadership:

  • Chris Roth serves as President and CEO of St. Luke's Health System, which oversees the Foundation

The Foundation board comprises dedicated volunteers who bring "deep commitment and a personal investment in the health of their communities," according to the organization.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Online Application: Applications are submitted online at stlukesonline.org/CHIF when application windows are open.

Eligibility:

  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
  • Government entities working to improve community health
  • Organizations serving St. Luke's operating regions in Idaho

Application Windows:

  • Treasure Valley, McCall, Wood River: Applications open in August, close September 30
  • Magic Valley: Applications accepted February-March and August-September (twice annually)

Review Process: Each application is reviewed by multiple committees, subject matter experts, and St. Luke's leaders.

Next Application Cycle: The 2026 CHIF grant application window opens in August 2026.

Decision Timeline

  • Application submission: August-September (Treasure Valley regions) or February-March/August-September (Magic Valley)
  • Decision announcement: December/early January (Treasure Valley regions) or November (Magic Valley)
  • Timeline: Approximately 3-4 months from submission to decision

Success Rates

CHIF grants are highly competitive with more than 130 nonprofit applicants in recent cycles. Award numbers vary by year:

  • 2025: 97 organizations funded (69 in Treasure Valley regions, 28 in Magic Valley)
  • 2024: 85 organizations funded in Treasure Valley regions
  • 2023: 75 organizations funded

Estimated success rate: 60-75% based on available data

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may reapply in subsequent funding cycles. Reapplication policies or restrictions are not explicitly documented, but the presence of repeat recipients in annual announcements suggests that previously funded organizations can reapply.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with CHNA Priorities: St. Luke's gives special consideration to organizations whose proposals target significant health needs identified through St. Luke's Community Health Needs Assessment. Review the current CHNA to understand regional priorities.

Collaborative and Equity-Driven Approaches: The Foundation explicitly encourages "collaborative and equity-driven approaches to address community health needs." Applications should demonstrate partnerships with other organizations and focus on reaching underserved populations.

Social Determinants of Health: Applications addressing social drivers of health receive priority. St. Luke's specifically highlights: safe housing and neighborhoods, transportation, and access to nutritious foods. Projects that address root causes of health disparities are favored.

Recent Funded Projects as Models:

  • Boise Bike Project: Supported annual events including Open Streets Boise and Holiday Kids Bike Giveaway (600+ bikes to children)
  • Jesse Tree: Emergency Rental Assistance program providing support, education, and financial assistance to prevent homelessness
  • Ignite Idaho: Wellness Drop-In Childcare program allowing parents to access health care while children receive care
  • Hope Squad: Peer-to-peer, school-based suicide prevention program training students for intentional outreach
  • Harrison Elementary School Playground: Accessible playground equipment addressing physical activity and inclusion

Reporting Requirements: As part of the grant award, receiving organizations must submit an "Activation Report" by October 1, outlining how the grant dollars were used and where the impact was made. Applications should include clear plans for tracking and reporting impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Study the CHNA: Your application must align with region-specific health priorities identified in St. Luke's Community Health Needs Assessment. Review the assessment thoroughly before applying.
  • Emphasize collaboration: Explicitly describe partnerships with other organizations and how your project uses collaborative approaches.
  • Focus on equity: Demonstrate how your program reaches underserved populations and addresses health disparities using equity-driven strategies.
  • Address social determinants: Frame your project around social determinants of health (housing, transportation, food access, safe neighborhoods) rather than purely clinical interventions.
  • Plan for reporting: Include clear metrics and evaluation plans in your application, as you'll need to submit an Activation Report showing impact.
  • Apply early in the window: With high competition (130+ applicants for 69-100 awards), submit applications as early as possible during the application window.
  • Competitive but achievable: With a 60-75% success rate, CHIF is more accessible than many competitive grant programs, making it worthwhile for qualifying Idaho nonprofits to apply.

References

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