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The Health Trust

Annual Giving
$3.9M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.2M
Decision Time
4mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3.5-4.3 million
  • Total Assets: $126 million (2023)
  • Decision Time: 3-5 months
  • Grant Range: Up to $5,000 (Community Grants); typically $30,000-$200,000+ (Health Partnership Grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Santa Clara County and Northern San Benito County, California

Contact Details

Website: https://healthtrust.org
Phone: (408) 513-8700
Email: grants@healthtrust.org
Address: 3180 Newberry Drive, Suite 200, San Jose, CA 95118

Pre-Application Support: Contact grants@healthtrust.org for questions about Health Partnership Grants alignment before submitting concept form.

Overview

Founded in 1996 as a hospital conversion foundation from the sale of Good Samaritan Health System, The Health Trust has grown from an original endowment of $54 million to over $126 million in assets today. The organization operates as a nonprofit operating foundation dedicated to building health equity in Silicon Valley. As of 2024, The Health Trust refocused its work exclusively on advocacy and grantmaking after transitioning its direct service programs to other providers. The organization invests $3.5-4.3 million annually in nonprofit and public agencies to directly benefit residents of Santa Clara and Northern San Benito counties, prioritizing communities disproportionately impacted by health disparities. In 2024, The Health Trust launched a new multi-year funding strategy to provide long-term support to grantee partners, responding to feedback about challenges posed by annual fundraising cycles.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Health Partnership Grants (by invitation only)

  • Annual grants awarded quarterly
  • No maximum grant amount specified
  • Recent grants range from approximately $30,000 to $200,000+
  • Multi-year funding strategy introduced in 2024
  • Rolling submission via concept form, then full proposal by invitation
  • In FY2024, awarded $3.5 million to 22 community agencies

Community Grants

  • Maximum $5,000 per organization per fiscal year
  • Rolling basis, submitted at least 60 days before event/project start
  • Response within 30 days
  • In FY2024, awarded 59 grants totaling $100,000

Rapid Response Strategy

  • Up to $1 million allocated (approved December 2024)
  • Addresses urgent challenges in high-need communities

Priority Areas

Focus Areas:

  1. Food & Nutrition - Food distribution, meal programs, CalFresh enrollment support
  2. Chronic Disease Prevention & Management - Diabetes care coordination, disease management programs
  3. Supportive Housing - Housing support services

Health Equity Fund: Projects that fall outside Focus Areas but support health and well-being of communities disproportionately impacted by health disparities

Preferred Project Characteristics:

  • Include system, policy, or practice change
  • Have SMART objectives and measurable outcomes
  • Include sustainability plan
  • Demonstrate organizational capacity to execute the project
  • Directly benefit residents of Santa Clara County and/or Northern San Benito County

What They Don't Fund

  • Ongoing direct services (limited exceptions)
  • Annual appeals or membership drives
  • Capital campaigns
  • Endowments
  • Equipment purchases (with limited exceptions)
  • Debt retirement
  • Grants to individuals
  • Nationally-sponsored local events
  • Events supporting academic or medical research

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Board Chair: Rhonda McClinton-Brown, Deputy Director for Strategy, Policy and Planning, Public Health Department, County of Santa Clara

Board Vice Chair: David O'Reilly, Managing Director, Bayview Biosciences

Board Secretary: Wei-ting Chen, Ph.D., Executive Director, Office of Community Engagement, Stanford Medicine

Additional Trustees:

  • Brad Baron, Senior Vice President, RBC Wealth Management
  • Ben Dubin, General Partner, Health Gap Ventures
  • Renee Fung, Vice President, Goldman Sachs
  • Rebecca Garcia, Housing Director, Santa Clara County Housing Authority
  • Lisa Gauthier, Board of Supervisor, San Mateo County, District 4
  • Maribel Montanez, Director of Development, Marketing & Outreach, Gardner Family Health Network
  • Rajan Narang, Senior Advisor, Stand Up America
  • Michele Pezzani, Physician, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
  • Craig Stephens, Ph.D., Professor of Biology and Public Health, Santa Clara University (also Grantmaking Committee Chair)
  • Mayra Zendejas-Yerena, Senior Vice President of Development and Impact, Central Coast

Leadership Team

Dr. Anthony Iton, CEO - Physician, attorney, and public health leader with expertise in health equity and community-led solutions. Previously Senior VP at The California Endowment. Education: MD from Johns Hopkins, JD/MPH from UC Berkeley.

Dr. Iton has stated: "Health equity isn't just a goal—it's a promise to listen to communities, trust local leadership, and resource those doing the hard work on the ground. These investments are not about charity—they are about justice."

Amy Chan, Chief Administrative Officer - Previously served as Interim CEO during 2024 organizational transition. Background in finance, previously at JPMorgan Chase. Education: B.S. in Applied Economics from Cornell University.

Maria Garcia, VP of Strategy and Programs - Leads strategic planning and grantmaking with 20+ years nonprofit experience.

Ngoc Ho, Director of Finance and Administration - Oversees finance, budgeting, operations with 14 years experience in grants and contracts management.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Health Partnership Grants (Invitation Only):

Step 1: Review Alignment
Review Focus Areas, funding priorities, and grant criteria to ensure clear alignment with at least one of The Health Trust's Focus Areas.

Step 2: Submit Concept Form

  • Create an online account at healthtrust.org
  • Submit Concept Form (also called Letter of Intent)
  • Rolling submissions - no deadlines
  • No maximum grant request amount
  • Staff responds within 45 days to indicate if concept is under further consideration

Step 3: Full Proposal (If Invited)

  • Invitation does not indicate commitment of funding
  • Staff conducts due diligence including technical assistance, follow-up phone call or site visit
  • Staff determines if proposal will be recommended to Grantmaking Committee

Step 4: Review Process

  • Grantmaking Committee reviews recommended proposals
  • Board of Trustees makes final funding decisions

Community Grants:

  • Apply via Google Forms on website
  • Submit at least 60 days before event/project start date
  • Expect response within 30 days
  • Maximum $5,000 per organization per fiscal year

Decision Timeline

Application Process: 3-5 months from initial concept form submission to funding decision

Funding Decision Dates: Quarterly (typically in September, December, March, and June)

Response to Concept Form: Within 45 days

Community Grants: Response within 30 days of submission

Success Rates

Based on recent 990 data: 22 awards in 2024, 17 awards in 2023, 27 awards in 2022, 22 awards in 2021. Success rate data not publicly published, but The Health Trust encourages new applicants and aims to rotate grants among different agencies.

Reapplication Policy

The Health Trust strives to rotate grants among community partners, indicating openness to various organizations applying. For unsuccessful applicants, specific waiting periods are not documented, but the rolling concept form submission process allows organizations to reapply when ready. Community Grants are limited to one grant per organization per fiscal year.

Application Success Factors

Based on The Health Trust's publicly stated priorities and recent funding patterns:

Alignment with Focus Areas: Projects must clearly demonstrate alignment with Food & Nutrition, Chronic Disease Prevention & Management, or Supportive Housing focus areas. Health Equity Fund grants are available for projects outside these areas but must address health disparities.

System-Level Change: The Health Trust favors projects that include system, policy, or practice change rather than ongoing direct services. Recent funded examples include:

  • Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley: Strengthening diabetes care program infrastructure
  • Second Harvest of Silicon Valley: CalFresh enrollment support systems
  • Hunger at Home: Launching new meal programs at San Jose State University

Geographic Specificity: Projects must directly benefit residents of Santa Clara County and/or Northern San Benito County. Be specific about how your project serves these communities.

Measurable Outcomes: Include SMART objectives (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) with clear outcomes. The Health Trust values data-driven approaches.

Sustainability Planning: Demonstrate how the project will be sustained beyond the grant period. This is explicitly listed as a funding priority.

Organizational Capacity: Show that your organization has the infrastructure and experience to execute the proposed project successfully.

Equity Focus: Clearly articulate how the project addresses health disparities and serves communities disproportionately impacted by health inequities. Dr. Iton emphasizes that "These investments are not about charity—they are about justice."

Community-Centered Approach: The Health Trust values "developing solutions in partnership with community residents." Projects that demonstrate community input and leadership are favored.

Previous Grant Performance: For Community Grants, previous grant reporting performance is a selection factor. Strong reporting on past grants increases chances for future funding.

Building Relationships: While Health Partnership Grants are by invitation only, organizations can build relationships by attending community health events in Silicon Valley, engaging with The Health Trust's advocacy work, and demonstrating alignment with their mission over time.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Start with a concept form: Health Partnership Grants require a rolling concept form submission before full proposal invitation - this low-barrier entry point allows you to test alignment before investing in a full proposal
  • Focus on systems change: The Health Trust explicitly prioritizes projects that create system, policy, or practice change rather than ongoing direct services - frame your project accordingly
  • Multi-year strategy launched: As of 2024, The Health Trust offers multi-year funding to provide long-term support, making this an opportune time to propose sustainable, multi-year initiatives
  • Equity language matters: Use The Health Trust's specific terminology around "health equity," "communities disproportionately impacted by health disparities," and "justice" rather than "charity" to demonstrate alignment with their philosophy
  • Geographic restriction is firm: Only projects serving Santa Clara County and Northern San Benito County are eligible - don't apply if your work is outside this area
  • Build for the long term: Sustainability planning is required - show how the project will continue beyond grant funding and contribute to lasting systems change
  • Consider Community Grants as entry point: If you're new to The Health Trust, the $5,000 Community Grant with 30-day turnaround offers an accessible way to establish a relationship and demonstrate strong grant reporting

References

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