Get to Know Grants: Mobile Clinic Grant Types

1. HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration Grants)

HRSA offers grants and cooperative agreements to qualified non-federal entities. The funding can be used for a multitude of healthcare initiatives, including mobile health clinics. These grants can be very competitive, but if your mobile clinic project is strong enough, there is a good chance that you will be able to secure funding. Federal grants are available from a variety of different agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Agriculture. For tips on the application process, and more all-around information on HRSA and how it works, our full breakdown can be found here.

Here are some prominent examples of HRSA Grants that can be/have been used for mobile clinics:

• The Ryan White HIV/AIDS grant programs
•  Capital Assistance for Hurricane Response and Recovery Efforts (CARE)
• HHS $65 million grant investment to address the maternal health crisis in the United States
• HRSA's Health Center Program New Access Points grant
• Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program (HTPCP)
  

2. Rural Grants

Rural communities in the United States often have limited access to healthcare, which poses a significant challenge to the well-being of their population. A majority of the rural areas are served by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which work hard to improve the health of their communities despite financial constraints, and RHIhub seeks to connect such FQHCs to resources to make their jobs easier.

Discover some of RHIhub's prominent grant offerings below, and learn more about them in our expert analysis here:

• Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)
• Rural Health Care Coordination Program 
• Rural Health Innovation and Transformation Technical Assistance (RHIT-TA)
• Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program (RHND)
• Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement (SHCPQI) Grant Program
  

Another popular source of financial support for rural developments in healthcare is programs through USDA Rural Development. These can include the following:

• The USDA Rural Development Loan Guarantee Program, which can provide up to 90% guarantee for loans of up to $25 million for rural businesses, non-profit ventures, public entities, and cooperatives.
• Community Facility Grants, which fund essential community facilities in rural areas, including, but not limited to, healthcare clinics, hospitals, and fire stations. 
• Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program, which provides funding through grants and loans for rural projects that promote economic development.

For more info on who can apply, and a further breakdown of each of these means of financial support, check out our blog on USDA Rural Development here today!

3. Grants from Private Foundations

Foundation grants are terrific opportunities from private foundations to sponsor solutions to specific needs. However, it's essential to know which grant from a foundation to apply for, how to apply for them, and how to use the grant funds to save you from a long application process and ultimately finding out you're unable to use the funds. Here are some of the key differences to know between foundation grants and federal/state grants before you apply: 

1. Source of Funding: Foundations are typically funded by private entities or individuals, while federal and state sources are funded by taxpayer dollars.

2. Scope and Purpose: Foundation grants often have specific objectives tied to the interests or mission of the foundation. On the other hand, federal and state grants usually aim to address broad public health goals or specific legislative directives.

3. Eligibility Criteria: Foundations may have more flexibility in setting their eligibility criteria, which could be narrowly defined or broadly inclusive. In contrast, federal and state grants often have strict eligibility requirements outlined in legislation or program regulations.

4. Application and Review Process: The application process for foundation grants may be less rigid and bureaucratic than for federal or state grants. The review process can be more subjective, potentially taking into account factors like the foundation's relationship with the applicant or the project's alignment with the foundation's values.

5. Funding Amounts and Duration: Foundations might offer smaller grants or fund projects for a shorter duration compared to federal or state sources. However, this varies widely among foundations.

6. Reporting and Compliance Requirements: Federal and state grants often come with stringent reporting and compliance requirements to ensure public funds are being used appropriately. While foundations also require accountability, their reporting requirements might be less onerous.

7. Geographical Coverage: Some foundations may focus their funding on specific geographical areas, whereas federal or state grants generally cover a wider area or the entire country/state.

Despite their differences, grants from foundations can be highly valuable for you in funding your particular mission. Here are some of our favorite foundations to offer grants that can support a mobile clinic!

• The North Carolina Community Foundation
• The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Conclusion:

Mobile clinics are an incredibly important part of healthcare access in underserved communities. While creating and funding a mobile clinic can be difficult, there are a variety of different grants available to help offset the costs associated with running a mobile clinic. Whether you are looking to secure federal/state grants, rural grants, or private foundation funding, these grants can help ensure that your mobile clinic is able to provide the critical healthcare services that your community needs.