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St. Joseph's Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.6M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M
Decision Time
4mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $566,575 (FY24 community grants)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Approximately 4 months (from application deadline to notification)
  • Grant Range: Up to $19,500 (small grants) or $20,000 - $150,000 (standard grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Phoenix metropolitan area and St. Joseph's Hospital service area in Arizona

Contact Details

St. Joseph's Foundation 124 West Thomas Road, Suite 250 Phoenix, AZ 85013

Community Grants Program Contact: Email: CommunityGrantsSJHMC@dignityhealth.org or communitygrants@commonspirit.org

Foundation Leadership:

Website: https://www.supportstjosephs.org/ Community Grants Information: https://www.dignityhealth.org/arizona/locations/stjosephs/about-us/community-benefit/community-grants

Overview

St. Joseph's Foundation was established in 1981, continuing the philanthropic tradition established by the Sisters of Mercy. The foundation primarily raises funds to support patient care, education, and research at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. With assets of approximately $107.9 million, the foundation operates as part of CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation's largest health systems. While its primary mission is fundraising for the hospital, St. Joseph's participates in CommonSpirit Health's Community Health Improvement Grants program, which awarded $566,575 in community grants during FY24. These grants support nonprofit organizations working to address significant health needs identified in the hospital's Community Health Needs Assessment, with a focus on serving vulnerable and underserved populations in the Phoenix area. The foundation has earned a 4-star rating (95% score) from Charity Navigator.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

CommonSpirit Health Community Health Improvement Grants

  • Small Grants: Up to $19,500
  • Standard Grants: $20,000 - $150,000 (amount varies by hospital)
  • Application Method: Annual cycle through online portal at https://www.commonspirit.org/communitygrants
  • Application Period: Typically July - September (for following year funding)
  • Funding Period: One-year grants beginning April 1
  • Multiyear Consideration: Projects will not be funded for more than four consecutive years

Priority Areas

Grants must address one or more significant health needs identified in St. Joseph's Hospital's Community Health Needs Assessment:

  • Chronic health conditions: Obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease
  • Health equity: Projects serving disproportionately underserved populations
  • Social determinants of health: Housing, food security, access to care
  • Prevention: Activities that prevent disease and promote health
  • Seamless continuum of care: Projects that improve care coordination
  • Community capacity building: Strengthening community organizations and systems

Target Populations:

  • Economically poor individuals and families
  • Women and children
  • Mentally or physically disabled individuals
  • Other disenfranchised populations
  • Underserved populations within St. Joseph's Hospital service area

Recent Examples of Funded Organizations:

  • Hushabye Nursery (Phoenix) - $500,000 for facility caring for babies exposed to opioids
  • Brighter Way (Phoenix) - $500,000 for dental clinic serving vulnerable populations
  • C.A.T.C.H - Reducing ER visits for chronic care patients
  • Comprehensive Healthcare for the Community
  • Native American Collaboration projects

What They Don't Fund

  • Equipment purchases over $5,000 (limited to $5,000 maximum)
  • Computer equipment over $2,500
  • Total equipment costs exceeding 50% of funds requested
  • Projects outside St. Joseph's Hospital service area
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status (unless fiscal agent provided)
  • Projects not aligned with Community Health Needs Assessment priorities
  • For-profit organizations
  • Projects lasting more than one year (though reapplication is permitted)

Governance and Leadership

Foundation Board of Directors

Officers:

  • Patty White, Chairman
  • Tom Batson, Vice Chairman
  • Vic Casebolt, Finance Chair
  • Kim Sterling-Heflin, Grants Chair
  • Shelby Butterfield, Secretary

Board Members:

  • Tom Batson
  • Ross Bremner, MD, PhD
  • Richard Burnham
  • Anne Burns, MD
  • Obinna Egbo, MD
  • Patrick Epum
  • Kathleen Graham
  • Terri Hoffman
  • Ed Marley
  • Susan Miele
  • Robert Milligan
  • Dennis Mullen
  • Michael O'Connor (Emeritus)
  • Linda Surdakowski
  • David Zowine

Foundation Staff

  • Terri Hoffman, President and Chief Philanthropy Officer
  • Evie Haertl, Senior Director, Philanthropy
  • Steve Harper, Manager, Marketing
  • Rose Bell, Manager, Annual Giving
  • Wendy Manning, Executive Assistant to President
  • Carlos Herrera, Business Analyst
  • Tina Escarmant, Business Analyst

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through CommonSpirit Health's online portal during the annual application cycle:

  1. Review Resources: Before applying, review the Grant Information and Resources Video and the AmpliFund Applicant Portal Training Video at https://www.commonspirit.org/communitygrants
  2. Check Eligibility: Consult the Hospital List for Applicants to confirm grant amounts and contact the Local Grant Leader for St. Joseph's Hospital
  3. Review Community Health Needs Assessment: Ensure your project addresses priorities identified in St. Joseph's most recent CHNA
  4. Submit Application: Complete online application through the CommonSpirit portal during the open application period
  5. Contact for Questions: Email communitygrants@commonspirit.org or CommunityGrantsSJHMC@dignityhealth.org

Pre-Application Support: Applicants are encouraged to contact the Community Health Office at St. Joseph's Hospital for guidance before applying.

Decision Timeline

  • Application Period Opens: Typically July (varies by year)
  • Application Deadline: Typically September (varies by year)
  • Notification of Funding Decisions: Approximately 4 months after deadline (typically January)
  • Grant Period Begins: April 1 of funding year

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. In FY24, St. Joseph's Hospital (combined with Arizona General Hospital - Laveen) awarded $566,575 in community grants across multiple organizations.

Reapplication Policy

  • Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent grant cycles
  • Successful applicants may reapply for continued funding
  • Important limitation: Projects will not be funded for more than four consecutive years
  • Organizations are encouraged to apply again with new or revised projects

Application Success Factors

Based on CommonSpirit Health's guidance and St. Joseph's Hospital priorities, successful applications demonstrate:

Alignment with Community Health Needs Assessment:

  • Proposals must clearly address one or more significant health needs identified in St. Joseph's Hospital's CHNA, specifically chronic conditions (obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease)
  • Strong applications explicitly reference the CHNA findings and explain how the project responds to documented community needs

Collaboration Requirements:

  • For standard grants ($20,000+), proposals must include collaborating partner organizations with "distinct, complementary and substantive project roles"
  • Collaborators can be nonprofit or public organizations
  • St. Joseph's Hospital has worked with organizations like Chicanos Por La Causa, Foundation for Senior Living, and Arizona Kidney Foundation

Demonstration of Key Principles: CommonSpirit evaluates proposals based on how well they reflect these principles:

  • Focus on health equity: Address disproportionate unmet health-related needs
  • Emphasize prevention: Include activities addressing social determinants of health
  • Contribute to continuum of care: Improve care coordination and access
  • Build community capacity: Strengthen organizational and community systems
  • Demonstrate collaboration: Show meaningful partnerships

Target Population Specificity:

  • Clearly identify the underserved or vulnerable populations to be served
  • Demonstrate how the project will reach these populations within St. Joseph's Hospital service area
  • Show understanding of health inequities affecting target populations

Budget Considerations:

  • Keep equipment purchases within limits (max $5,000 for equipment, $2,500 for computers)
  • Ensure equipment costs don't exceed 50% of requested funds
  • Provide clear, detailed budget justification

Project Design:

  • One-year project timeline
  • Measurable outcomes and evaluation plan
  • Clear implementation strategy
  • Sustainable impact beyond grant period

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Review the CHNA first: Your project must directly address chronic conditions (obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease) or other priorities identified in St. Joseph's Hospital's Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Build partnerships early: Standard grants ($20,000+) require meaningful collaboration with other organizations - identify partners before applying
  • Focus on health equity: Emphasize how your project serves underserved populations and addresses health disparities in measurable ways
  • Leverage prevention and social determinants: Projects addressing root causes of health issues (housing, food security, access) align well with CommonSpirit's priorities
  • Plan for one year only: Design projects with clear, achievable one-year outcomes, though you can reapply for up to four consecutive years
  • Contact the hospital before applying: Reach out to CommunityGrantsSJHMC@dignityhealth.org for guidance and to ensure alignment with current priorities
  • Use the training resources: Watch the application portal training videos and review all guidance documents before submitting your proposal

References

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