The Health Care Foundation of the Oranges (here after referred to as HCFO) aims to confront the most prevalent public health issues facing the communities we serve which are East Orange, Orange, Irvington and West Newark. The HCFO determines where we can make the most significant impact. HCFO awards grants and funding around health, defining health broadly to include Chronic Disease Management,  and Environmental Health and Family Health.

​

To initiate the grant application you must submit a Letter of Intent (here after referred to as LOI)  which is submitted through our website. 

The LOI is a preliminary proposal that asks the applicant to submit basic information about the organization and the project for proposed funding to include: 

• Primary contact 

• Organization description

• Project title and the specifics of the problem or community your project impact

• Be specific about which towns your project will be implemented

• Project budget and the amount of funding requested from the HCFO 

• Expected outcome indicators for the project 

• Future plans for project sustainability after the grant funding   

• Any existing partnerships in place for this proposed project

• Start date and end date for the project 

• The IRS section 501(C)3 tax exempt document must be included with the LOI

​

The LOI should not exceed four (4) pages. No pictures please. All LOIs will be reviewed and HCFO will inform the applicant to submit an application if the criteria's are met. 

​

All applications, documents  and communications  must be uploaded via this website. 

​

After reviewing an organization’s LOI,  HCFO will invite the applicant to submit an application by August 31, 2025. 

​

If approved, your project funding will be partially awarded in September. The balance of the funding will be awarded in December  pending your  progress report due  to HCFO which must be received by December 1st 2025.

​

Going forward, beginning 2026:  

Submissions of LOI's our website will accept beginning January 2nd - February 1st 2026. You will be notified no later that February 15th  whether you meet the criteria to submit a formal application. If approved your applications must be uploaded through our website by March 1st. All final grantees will be notified by March 31st with first payment received in April 2026. The balance of the funding will be awarded  pending your project report due July 31 , 2026. Your final progress report is due to HCFO on December 1st, 2026. 

 

GRANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES: 

Upon receipt of invitation to present a proposal for consideration, applicants are to submit proposals uploaded through this website in the following format: 

 

Cover Letter  

A cover letter on organizational letterhead, signed by the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees/Directors, most senior executive within the organization or the person designated by the organization to manage and oversee the process; this should include reporting obligations. The cover letter should be addressed to the HCFO Grants and Scholarship Committee and include the project title with a summary of the project and the amount of funding sought. The cover letter should state that you have read, understand and will comply with the HCFO’s Grant policies.

​

Proposal Narrative  

While the substance and form of narratives will vary, all narratives should provide certain key information that enables HCFO’s Grant Committee to understand the nature of the project and its prospects for a successful outcome. Please respond to the  items below:  

• Organization Information: 

  • Organization mission statement 

  • Overview of organization’s history, staffing and programs 

  • Please share any innovative strategies used in the past that have had proven sustainability and impacted your project success?

 

Financial Information: 

• Total project budget amount including but not limited to Equipment, Supplies and Services.

• Budget narrative: 

  • The budget narrative should include and justify the cost assumptions for each budget category and line item in the project. Also include a listing of all other funding sources with corresponding amounts and percentages of the total budget, and whether the funding is committed or potential. 

​

Reporting: 

• A statement that the organization will provide HCFO with interim and final progress reports according to the schedule agreed upon as indicated in the award letter. 

​

Attachments:

• Financial statement for the most recently completed fiscal year, audited if available. Please include an explanatory narrative, as necessary to enhance understanding. 

• Copy of most recently filed IRS Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. 

• Project budget, including income and expenses

• Certified Letter of Good Standing (a document issued by the state that proves that your entity exists and is in compliance with all state requirements, such as filing annual reports and paying franchise taxes).

​

Please note that after your grant application is submitted HCFO staff may contact you during the review process to clarify information in your application, request additional information, schedule site visits and/or interviews. 

​