Maine Health Access Foundation

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OVERVIEW: The Main Health Access Foundation (MeHAF) focuses its grantmaking on public health access and equity in Maine.

IP TAKE: The Maine Health Access Foundation is the “largest independent health philanthropy” in the state. This funder distinguishes itself by following the leads of communities in its quest to solve pressing health equity problems. Recent areas of interest include rural health, aging, behavioral health and maternal and child well-being, and grantees include the largest and smallest of the state’s health organizations. The foundation accepts applications for its three separate grantmaking programs, but guidelines and due dates vary. Grantseekers are encouraged to reach out to program officers with questions.

PROFILE: The Maine Health Access Foundation is a private health foundation based in Augusta. Its mission is “to promote access to quality health care, especially for those who are uninsured and underserved, and improve the health of everyone in Maine.” In addition to its public health grantmaking, MeHAF is committed to information sharing and supporting dialogue and collaboration amongst public health stakeholders in Maine and nationally.

Grants for Public Health and Mental Health

The foundation currently runs three grantmaking programs:

  • The Responsive Grants Program is the foundation’s largest giving initiative. It provides “project-based funding for initiatives that are responsive to needs identified by people in communities across the state.” This program further divides its grants into two sub-types:

    • Systems Improvement and Innovation Grants respond to community-identified health needs at the “system and organizational levels.” Areas of priority include rural health, older adults, behavioral health, maternal care and pediatrics.

    • The Community Responsive Grants Program addresses problems relating to health equity in Maine and recognizes that “those closest to a given problem often have the best ideas about potential solutions.” Grants stemming from this program “focus on changing policies, practices, and perceptions that create barriers to health care and good health” through innovative approaches and community-driven solutions.

    Applications for this program begins with an email to the grant program leads, Charles Dwyer and Frank Martinez Nocito, whose email addresses are linked to the page. Prospective applicants are also advised to sign up for the foundation’s newsletter for updates about changes to this grantmaking program.

  • The foundation’s Discretionary Grant Program supports “small, discrete, time-limited projects and activities” that help Maine’s health organizations “explore new or different approaches to their work.” Grants are awarded in amounts of up to $10,000. Letter of inquiry for discretionary grants are accepted at any time, but grantseekers are advised to schedule a call or meeting with staff before submitting materials.

  • The Meeting Support Program awards grants of up to $2,000 for community, regional or statewide conferences and meetings that address the foundation’s mission of improving and increasing access to healthcare in Maine. Applications are accepted at anytime through an online grant portal.

Important Grant Details:

This funder’s health-related grants generally range from about $2,000 to $500,000.

  • Funding is limited to the state of Maine.

  • MeHAF funds a broad range of organizations, including large hospital and healthcare provider systems, as well as many much smaller community-based health, health policy and behavioral health organizations.

This funder accepts applications for all three of its grantmaking programs, but guidelines and due dates vary by program. Questions may be directed to Andrea Francis via email at afrancis@mehaf.org or telephone at 207-620-8266, extension 118.

PEOPLE:

  • Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).

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