REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:

Transforming Health through Capacity Building

The application deadline has passed. Please view the RFP information below for reference only.

Release Date: August 31, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions on in-person services continue to strain the capacity of our region’s nonprofit organizations. While simultaneously facing declining revenue due to the temporary closing of facilities and cancelation of fundraising events, organizations are not only trying to meet the urgent and basic needs of their growing client base (food, medicine, housing, etc.), but they are having to adapt their services to a virtual environment that requires new investments in technology and training. Individuals who once had access to needed in-person services now must often seek assistance through alternative pathways. Many in our community do not have access to the necessary tools for virtual services including tablets, smartphones and internet, nor the education, training or expertise to use technology effectively and efficiently.

bi3—Bethesda Inc.’s grants initiative to transform health in Greater Cincinnati—is seeking funding requests from community organizations that address either health needs or social needs that can impact health outcomes and narrow health disparities. These grants will provide a one-time investment for nonprofits to build their capacity and infrastructure to operate amidst pandemic restrictions and expand access to services. The grants will help organizations to acquire the tools, education and technology to strengthen operations and be better positioned for the future. Funding should address immediate needs and enable the organization to sustain any ongoing costs through existing revenue sources.

The submission deadline is 5 p.m. EST on September 30, 2020. bi3 will award up to $1 million in total grants. The average grant award is expected to be $50,000.

Purpose of Grants and Use of Funds

The grants awarded under this RFP will provide one-time support to help organizations obtain the resources they need to strengthen their operations and infrastructure, to increase community access to health and social services, and ultimately support their mission. Examples of the types of resources that can be supported through these funds include, but are not limited to:

• Hardware (laptops, tablets, phones, servers)
• Software (virtual service licenses or platforms)
• Technical support and assistance (consultants for installation)
• Resources for clients or customers (phone minute cards, internet access)
• Educational programs/support for staff conducting services virtually
• Mechanisms or training to create or curate virtual community spaces (support groups)

During the review process, bi3 will look for opportunities to connect applicants to one other and to leverage shared resources and learning.

Grants are not intended to replace funds from lost fundraising opportunities or support general operating expenses.

Eligibility and Grant Criteria

In order to be eligible to receive one of these grants, organizations must:

• Be a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization serving Hamilton, Brown, Butler, Warren, Clermont and Highland counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, Grant, and Kenton counties in Northern Kentucky; or Dearborn and Ohio counties in Southeast Indiana
• Address health and/or the social needs and conditions that impact health outcomes (e.g. social determinants of health)
• Work toward reducing racial and health disparities

Application Process

bi3 has created an expedited process to ensure resources are deployed quickly to meet community need. Respond to this RFP by submitting a Grant Request via email (Jennifer_zimmerman@bi3.org), with the subject line: Capacity Building RFP, by September 30, 2020 at 5 p.m.

The Grant Request letter should be attached to the email and not exceed three pages. The request should be brief and include:

1. The name, website, address and EIN (Employer Identification Number) for the organization
2. The requested grant amount
3. A description of the organization’s capacity needs, intended use, and anticipated impact of funds (when identifying needs, please be as specific as possible, for example: 8 laptops, 4 smartphones, training, etc.)
4. A brief description of the demographics of the population being served, including race, ethnicity and preferred language
5. The demographics of the organization’s staff and board of directors
6. The name, title and contact information for the lead staff

bi3 will review publicly available information about applicants including vision, mission, programs and services, annual reports, outcomes/impact, etc. Please feel free to include any specific information in the Grant Request about the organization that may not be clearly communicated elsewhere.

bi3 is also interested in hearing if there are other technical assistance needs that organizations may have, even if they are not yet clearly defined. There may be opportunity for bi3 to build or leverage additional support depending on feedback from applicants.

Applicants will receive a response on or before October 16, 2020.

Timeline

About bi3

bi3 is Bethesda Inc.’s grants initiative to transform health in Greater Cincinnati. bi3 invests in innovative ideas with the ability to spark and scale new approaches to improving community health and healthcare. Bethesda Inc., in partnership with CommonSpirit Health, is a co-sponsor of TriHealth, a leading integrated health system in Greater Cincinnati.

bi3 is focused on achieving health equity for the Greater Cincinnati community. It seeks to reduce health disparities and address underlying factors affecting health and wellness to ensure every person has equal opportunity to achieve their highest level of health and well-being. bi3 prioritizes support for organizations that apply a racial equity lens to their work, reduce health disparities, have diverse leadership and engage community members in priority setting and decision making.

Since 2010, bi3 has awarded more than $49 million in grants to TriHealth and community-based organizations to fund innovative ideas to transform health and healthcare. Our funding has helped to attract other grants and resources to our region, allowing our projects to achieve an even greater scale and impact.

Contact Information

Please direct all questions and inquiries to Jennifer Zimmerman, Director of Grants and Evaluation, at Jennifer_zimmerman@bi3.org or 513-569-6673.