September 21, 2015—The Fauquier Health Foundation announced today that it will award $1 million total to selected community projects and programs in 2016.

“We’re very excited to be able to provide one million dollars in grants to community projects and programs, especially those that meet our four priority areas—childhood wellness, mental health, senior services and access to care,” stated Christy Connolly president and CEO of Fauquier Health Foundation. “There are so many worthwhile programs and organizations that will greatly benefit from our financial assistance and be able, in turn, to help so many more people. For this reason, we’re allocating a larger amount of grant money in 2016.”

The grants program in 2016 will have one grant cycle that will provide $250,000 through Make it Happen grants and another $750,000 for planning and programs.

This past year was the first year for the Make it Happen program that awarded funding to more than a dozen exciting projects throughout the region. From a community garden to outdoor volleyball courts, the programs were creative, educational and beneficial to overall health and well-being. In 2016, Make it Happen will operate as it has from inception with a rolling deadline. What is different, in addition to the fact that the program will provide more money, is the division of two types of Make it Happen grants. As with grant applications last year, one of the grant categories will provide funds for small and rapid projects that can be completed within 90 days with requests of $10,000 or less.  The second category will fund mid-size projects that can be completed within six months with requests of $25,000 or less.  Both grant types will be processed on a shared application form and Foundation staff will respond to applicants with a final determination within 30 days.

As in the past, applicants may apply for successive Make it Happen grants during the year, if previous projects have been successfully completed. The grants will not be awarded for the continuation of past projects. Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 nonprofits, government entities, and religious organizations for non-religious purposes that service Fauquier, Rappahannock and Northern Culpeper Counties.

For the $750,000 grants programs, 12-month grants will be offered to support programs and planning. No grants will be made for unrestricted general operations in FY2016.  The maximum eligible request is $100,000 with most grants being lower. Requests must relate to one or more of the Foundation’s four priority areas of mental health, childhood wellness, access to care and senior services. Projects and programs may be new or ongoing. Planning grants will be considered for a variety of processes including strategic planning, board development, master facility plans, surveys and evaluations, pilot programs, etc. The process will be two phase with a letter of intent followed by a formal application through invitation. The entire grant review process, from announcement to payment delivery, will span nine months.

Planning and program grant applications follow a different process of submitting a letter of intent by October 30, 2015, with full application requests being made by January 22, 2016, and grant recipients announced in the spring.