Grant FAQs.

Applicants must submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) between Monday, May 1, 2023 and Friday, May 26, 2023. A portion of LOIs will be invited to submit full proposals in June. Organizations previously supported through our Regional, Special Initiatives, and Strategic Grants Programs will be contacted by the Foundation about how to apply and do not need to proactively begin an LOI.

LOI submission period: 5/01/23 – 5/26/23

Applicant webinar: 5/04/23

Invitations for full proposals: June 2023

Full proposals due: July 2023

Notification of grant awards: October 2023 and December 2023

MCHF now has five Programs:

• Access to Healthcare
• Basic Needs
• Healthcare Workforce
• Mental and Behavioral Health
• General Fund

Former Regional grantees will continue to be invited to submit LOIs, though they will now submit them through one of the above Programs. Former Statewide applicants/grantees are invited to submit an LOI through our open call for LOIs.

Returning grantees should contact their Program Officer. If you do not know who your Program Officer is, please contact grantsupport@cabrinihealth.org.

Applicants who do not have as assigned Program Officer should contact grantsupport@cabrinihealth.org to be directed to the appropriate person.

For technical questions about the portal, contact grantsupport@cabrinihealth.org

MCHF will host a webinar about the application process on Thursday, May 4, 2023 (Register Here), after which a recording of the webinar will be available.

MCHF typically receives more than 1,000 LOIs through our open call for proposals. Though subject to change, based on previous years, the Foundation typically invites about one-third to submit full applications.

Yes. Organizations are welcome to submit more than one LOI. Each potential funding proposal should be submitted through a unique LOI.

Yes. While it is the norm that most organizations receive only one grant, some organizations may receive more than one grant.

Yes. A current grantee is welcome to submit an LOI for a different program/project than one that is currently funded. A current grantee is also welcome to apply for a renewal of any currently or previously funded program/project and must submit an LOI to do so.

Yes. Any existing grantee, with the exception of Special Initiatives and Strategic Grantees, who is interested in being considered for grant renewal is required to complete an LOI. Grantees currently in the Regional Grants Program will be invited to submit an LOI and all others should submit through the open call for LOIs. The timeline and process are the same for renewal applicants as for organizations that are applying for funding for the first time

We do not advise this, as organizations will typically only be funded through invitation or the open call, but not both.

‍As is standard practice for foundations and due to the large number of requests we anticipate, we will not generally be able to respond to requests for feedback.

Yes, you can apply for multiple grants. Each requires its own LOI.

Generally, if an organization is invited to submit a full proposal, it will be asked to do so for one LOI. In limited circumstances, organizations may be invited to submit more than one full proposal.

Grantees will be notified in October and December.

Projects that cannot expend all grant funds during the grant period are eligible for no cost extensions and/or other modifications to support the completion of the project during or outside the original grant term.

We require all application forms to be submitted through our online application system. To do so, please visit the Apply for a Grant section of our website and follow the instructions.

Technical questions should be sent to grantsupport@cabrinihealth.org and will be addressed as soon as possible. We also recommend that you watch the brief video tutorials that are posted on the online application portal for guidance.

No. You do not need separate accounts for each LOI. However, each project for which you are requesting funds will require a separate LOI.

On the bottom of the log on page, click on the “Forgot your password?” link. You will be prompted to provide the email that was used to set up the account. Once provided, you will receive an email with instructions to reset your password.

Please see our eligibility guidelines here.

Yes. Any non-Catholic organization that meets our eligibility criteria is welcome to apply.

Yes.  Please provide a letter explaining the basis for the exemption. In limited circumstances, MCHF may agree to accept alternative financial documentation in lieu of audited financial statements. Such determinations will be made at the discretion of MCHF on a case-by-case basis.

Yes, fiscally sponsored projects are eligible to apply for funding with the fiscal sponsor as the grantee of record.

No, there are no thresholds or requirements related to these factors.

Listing in the Catholic Kenedy Directory is not required to be considered for funding. We ask this question on the LOI, but applicants that are not listed in the Directory are not disqualified.

Smaller organizations are eligible to apply and will be considered on a case-by-base basis. The majority of funding has been awarded to organizations with annual budgets of at least $750,000. However it is not exclusive.

The Foundation will invite current Regional grantees directly and they do not need to submit an unsolicited LOI. You are welcome to submit an LOI through the open call, however, very few organizations will be funded through both invitation and the open call.

If the program does not have a currently active award MCHF, it is considered a new application.

MCHF funds a wide variety of programs that support the healthcare and health related needs of individuals, families, and communities throughout New York State. We currently focus our grantmaking within five programs to support 8 priority populations. See more specific guidance about our programs and priority populations here..

MCHF primarily funds direct service programs/projects. In certain circumstances, the foundation may consider capital, capacity building, and other types of requests. Click here to see more details about eligibility.

Yes. Salaries for staff directly engaged in the program/project for which you are requesting funds can be included in the grant request. In general, MCHF will not provide funding for executive level salaries.

Both. The foundation will consider proposals for both local/regional and statewide initiatives.

Generally speaking, we do not fund research.

MCHF may consider funding indirect costs up to 15% of the total grant request, though such requests may be reduced or not approved.

You should select the Program you see as the primary fit.

In the instance of our Mental & Behavioral Health Program, which has significant overlap with other Programs, if a primary purpose of the program is to advance mental & behavioral health outcomes, you should submit the LOI through the Mental & Behavioral Health Program.

For example, if a project is related to healthcare workforce development in the mental & behavioral health sector, please submit the LOI through the Mental & Behavioral Health Program.

In certain circumstances, the Foundation may move projects that fit into multiple Programs to another Program where appropriate.

At the LOI stage, please select one primary population group. You may also describe the additional populations you serve in the narrative. If invited for a full application, there is an opportunity to select primary and secondary population groups.

Yes, that would satisfy the priority population.

Please see our previous grants on our website at https://cabrinihealth.org/grants-programs/.

We consider anyone residing in New York within this definition.

MCHF does not fund advocacy.

Grant funds can not be used to reimburse an organization for previously incurred expenses.

There are no requirements around this. It is considered on a case-by-case basis.

There is no set range of program sizes we will consider.

MCHF will consider funding the full project budget or a portion of the project budget. We encourage applicants to seek diversified sources of funding, but also understand some new projects require full funding.

Yes. Capital expenses can be included on the “Other” line item and detailed in the “Narrative” column.

Please see our Indirect Cost Policy for more information, available at by clicking here. 

If the new hire will be dedicated entirely to the program or project for which you are requesting funds, you may allocate the full salary to the grant request.

Generally, executive salaries are not eligible for grant funding. However, if an executive is integrally involved in the operation of the program or project for which you are requesting funds, the portion of that executive’s time that is dedicated to supporting the program or project can be included. In general, executive salaries are only included when their active participation is essential to the program.

Capital projects will be considered on a limited, case-by-case basis. Types of capital projects that will be considered include renovations, building improvements, new construction, equipment purchase, and vehicle purchase.