Vitalyst Health Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately $3-4 million
• Success Rate: ~15% (highly selective)
• Decision Time: 3-4 months
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $175,000
• Geographic Focus: Arizona (statewide; Medical Assistance Grants specific to Maricopa County)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.vitalysthealth.org
Phone: 602-385-6500
Email: info@vitalysthealth.org
Address: 2020 N Central Ave, Suite 720, Phoenix, AZ 85004-4582
Pre-Application Support: Optional Discovery Process - 15-20 minute online intake followed by 30-minute consultation with program staff

Overview

Vitalyst Health Foundation is a $143.9 million health legacy foundation established in 1996 after Arizona's St. Luke's Hospital System sold to a for-profit corporation. The foundation's mission is "to connect, support and inform efforts to improve the health of individuals and communities in Arizona." Over its history, Vitalyst has invested more than $130 million into Arizona health initiatives.

Since 2016, Vitalyst has employed the Elements of a Healthy Community framework to enhance health outcomes across Arizona, focusing on collaborative systems change initiatives. The foundation operates with 18 employees and maintains a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator with a perfect score of 100%. The foundation's strategic roadmap focuses on three goals: Collaborative Networks working to improve health conditions, Strong Community Partners equipped to advance health equity, and Informed Decision-Makers prioritizing community health and well-being.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Systems Change Grants: $175,000 over three years

• Annual cycle with LOI deadline typically in October
• Supports transformational collaborative projects for healthcare access and community wellbeing
• Two-stage process (LOI, then invited full proposal)
• Up to 4 awards annually

Spark Grants: $10,000 - $25,000 for one year

• Quarterly deadlines: July, October, February, May
• Supports collaborative efforts for healthcare transformation
• Discovery conversation required before invitation to submit
• Intended to help nonprofits "figure out solutions, not fund an already identified solution"

Medical Assistance Grants: Amount varies

• Every three years (next cycle opens in 2026)
• Direct services for low-income populations in Maricopa County only
• Focus areas: hearing, vision, substance use disorder, heart/lung care

Technical Assistance Grants: Varies based on consultant needs

• Rolling basis until funds expended
• Connects nonprofits with expert consultants for capacity building
• Does not cover nonprofit staff salaries

Advocacy and Public Policy Capacity Building: Varies

• Rolling basis
• Increases or expands advocacy and policy impact

Priority Areas

Vitalyst uses the Elements of a Healthy Community framework:

• Civic Health and community participation
• Food Systems strengthening
• Health Care Integration (physical, mental, social determinants)
• Housing (affordable housing initiatives)
• Access to Quality Health Care
• Transportation, Economic Opportunity, Education
• Environment, Community Safety, Built Environment
• Social/Cultural Cohesion and Social Justice

Cross-cutting priorities include health equity, systems change, and multi-organizational collaboration.

What They Don't Fund

• Programmatic or direct services (except Medical Assistance Grants)
• Capital expenditures or long-term assets
• General fundraising sponsorships
• Academic institutions' indirect costs
• Single-organization projects
• Projects outside Arizona

Governance and Leadership

Dr. Susan M. Pepin serves as Board Chair and Interim President and CEO. Dr. Pepin is the inaugural dean of the Oxley College of Health & Natural Sciences at the University of Tulsa and previously served at Arizona State University. The foundation is conducting a national executive search following the retirement announcement of Suzanne Pfister, who led Vitalyst for more than 11 years.

The board actively engages in diversity, equity, and inclusion learning activities and selects members who reflect different backgrounds, lived experiences, and areas of expertise.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Discovery Process (Strongly Recommended)

• Complete online Discovery Intake form (15-20 minutes)
• Staff schedules 30-minute consultation to discuss eligibility and appropriate grant opportunities

Step 2: Formal Application

• Systems Change Grants: Submit LOI annually (October), invited applicants submit full proposal
• Spark Grants: After Discovery conversation, invited applicants submit proposal quarterly
• Medical Assistance Grants: RFP every three years
• Technical Assistance: Rolling applications year-round

Decision Timeline

• Medical Assistance Grants: ~3 months from deadline to award
• Systems Change Grants: 4-6 months from LOI to decision
• Spark Grants: Several weeks to 2-3 months
• Technical Assistance: Rolling review, faster turnaround

Success Rates

Highly selective with only a "handful of awards per year" for major programs. Systems Change Grants awarded to 4 organizations in FY23-24.

Reapplication Policy

No specific restrictions mentioned. Organizations encouraged to maintain relationships through Discovery Process for future opportunities.

Application Success Factors

Critical Requirements:

1. Collaboration is Essential: Must present as partnership between 2+ nonprofits, with at least one based in and serving Arizona. Provide letters of support/MOUs to demonstrate coalition strength.

2. Systems Change Focus: Projects must change systems (policies, practices, resource flows, power dynamics, relationships, mental models), not just provide services.

3. Health Equity Centrality: Must detail how project reduces disparities using disaggregated data and demonstrate involvement of impacted communities in project design.

4. Elements Framework Alignment: Clearly articulate how project addresses Elements of a Healthy Community, with preference for projects at intersection of multiple elements.

Strategic Guidance:

• Use Discovery Process before applying to ensure appropriate fit
• Include community voices and demonstrate meaningful stakeholder engagement
• Clearly define the system you're changing and specific change goals
• Show data-driven approach with specific metrics for tracking improvements
• Demonstrate true partnership with shared ownership and decision-making
• Think solutions exploration rather than pre-determined program implementation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Collaboration is non-negotiable: Must have 2+ organizational partners with at least one Arizona-based
• Complete Discovery Process first: 15-20 minute intake saves time and confirms eligibility
• Focus on systems change, not services: Fund efforts to change policies/practices, not direct service delivery
• Health equity must be central: Show specific plans to reduce disparities with data and community involvement
• Think statewide but be specific: Identify specific communities/systems with deep local context understanding
• Be patient and persistent: Highly selective; build relationships through Discovery Process and events
• Match project to Elements framework: Clearly articulate which elements addressed, ideally multiple intersections

References

• Vitalyst Health Foundation Official Website: https://www.vitalysthealth.org (Accessed March 4, 2026)
• Partnering With Vitalyst: https://www.vitalysthealth.org/partnering-with-vitalyst/
• Systems Change Grants: https://www.vitalysthealth.org/grants/systemschange-grants/
• Spark Grants: https://www.vitalysthealth.org/grants/spark-grants/
• Medical Assistance Grants: https://www.vitalysthealth.org/grants/medical-assistance-grants/
• 2024 Vitalyst Grant Partners: https://vitalysthealth.org/2024-vitalyst-grant-partners/
• 2023-2024 Annual Report: https://www.vitalysthealth.org/2024-annual-report/
• Elements of Healthy Communities: https://www.vitalysthealth.org/the-wheel/
• Understanding Systems Change: http://vitalysthealth.org/understanding-systems-change/
• Charity Navigator Rating: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/860097240
• GuideStar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/86-0097240