Community Connections
A person’s health is ultimately driven by the individual and his or her community, while decisions made at the federal, state, and county level affect the health care system.
Applications for the Community Connections 2024 cycle are now closed. HealthPath has chosen to support community residents as they identify the changes they want to see and work to reach their goals. We will be awarding two-year grants to organizations working to achieve results in the areas of Age-Friendly Communities, Oral Health, and Healthy Ohioans.
Building on Community Strengths
Improving health takes a combination of system- and community-designed solutions. Too often, however, the focus is on system improvements rather than supporting and encouraging the individual and community to take charge of their own health. Since 2012, HealthPath's Community Connections initiative has helped lay the groundwork for helping bring community partners together to improve health. Changes in health and healthy behaviors rely on solutions built upon the strengths and needs of the people living in the community.
Community-Driven Review Process
HealthPath uses volunteer proposal readers to review full proposals, provide context about the communities in which the applicants work, and make recommendations for funding. We will provide a training webinar to walk readers through the proposal and how to evaluate them. The readers will also meet in-person to discuss proposals and provide feedback to HealthPath staff, who will summarize the recommendations to present to our board. Using the community feedback, the HealthPath Board of Directors will make the final decision on which proposals are funded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: If my organization received a 2023 Community Connections grants, can we apply?
Answer: Community Connections grants are two-year grants. Organizations awarded a Community Connections grant will receive full funding in one payment, however they must wait two-years to reapply. 2023 Community Connections grant recipients are eligible to reapply for the 2025 grant round.
Question: Can you tell me if my application is a good fit?
Answer: The Community Connections grants opportunity will award general operating funding to organizations achieving the work of our three result areas: Age-Friendly Communities, Oral Health and Healthy Ohioans. We ask that applicants review the descriptions for each of these result areas to make the determination if your organization is a fit.
Who Can Apply?
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Health & social service care providers
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Neighborhood clubs or groups
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Social & civic organizations
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Youth groups
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School groups
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4-H clubs
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Scout troops
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Senior centers
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Faith-based organizations
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Colleges or universities
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School districts
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Other organizations
The Foundation will consider grant requests from government or quasi government agencies that demonstrate a strong relationship with the community. We are also splitting our service area into quadrants, and communities within two quadrants will be eligible to apply. If you are located outside a designated area but serve in it, you are eligible to apply during that quadrant’s year. However, you will have to make a strong case for how you serve and are a part of that community in your proposal.
Community Connections Service Areas:
What Will We Fund?
We are interested in community-driven projects that address our result areas. Proposed projects should respond to the needs of the community, and fall within one of the following strategies:
Age-Friendly Communities
Older adults live and participate in communities to their fullest potential, free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
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Multi-generational initiatives that support older adults living in the community
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Community awareness campaigns that increase the visibility of older adults
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Programs to create a more age-friendly community within any result area
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Programs that teach parents about how to talk with their children about health
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Programs that provide youth with hands-on, problem-based learning around health and health issues
Oral Health (Across the lifespan)
Ohioans have access to oral health education and services. Oral health is essential to general health and well-being at every stage of life.
Healthy Ohioans
Ohioans have access to the resources they need to be healthy, including access to care and healthy food.
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Health promotion programs that encourage families and community residents to talk about and engage in healthy behaviors
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Programs to bring fresh, healthy foods to food deserts