Community Connections Grant is a grant from HealthPath Foundation of Ohio that funds nonprofit organizations working to advance health equity and improve access to essential health resources for underserved populations across Ohio. Established in 1999 through a collaborative agreement with the State of Ohio and Anthem Insurance Companies, HealthPath has awarded $24 million in grants across 36 Ohio counties over 25 years.

This 2025 Community Connections opportunity commemorates HealthPath's 25th anniversary and provides general operating support so organizations can direct flexible funding toward their greatest needs to foster innovation and drive sustainable systems change. Awards are up to $25,000 per applicant, with up to $250,000 in total funding available. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations in Ohio addressing health equity.

Community Connections Grant This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government entities in Ohio that are working to improve health equity and access to essential resources for underserved populations.

HealthPath Foundation of Ohio (HealthPath) was established in 1999 through a collaborative agreement between the State of Ohio, Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc., and Anthem’s subsidiary, Community Insurance Company. HealthPath operates as a Type I supporting organization of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

Over the past 25 years, HealthPath has awarded $24 million in grants across 36 counties in Ohio to address pressing health challenges in local communities. This special funding opportunity commemorates HealthPath’s 25th anniversary and reflects its ongoing commitment to improving community health and addressing disparities.

The 2025 Community Connections grant opportunity offers up to $25,000 per applicant, with a total of up to $250,000 available in funding. The grants are designed to provide general operating support to organizations working to advance health equity in Ohio by ensuring access to essential resources for optimal health.

HealthPath seeks to enable organizations to direct funding toward their greatest needs to foster innovation, drive impact, and promote sustainable systems change. This flexible support is intended to help grantees address underlying health inequities across Ohio’s communities. The funding is open to projects that address at least one of HealthPath’s key impact areas: Oral Health, Age-Friendly Communities, and Healthy Ohioans.

Additionally, funded projects must prioritize one or more populations that experience significant health disparities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), people with lower incomes or education levels, individuals with disabilities, adults aged 60 or older, immigrants and new Americans, residents of rural or Appalachian communities, individuals with inadequate health insurance, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or government entities that are located in and primarily serve at least one of HealthPath’s 36-county service area in Ohio. Organizations must align with HealthPath’s mission and vision and address social and/or health needs affecting health outcomes. Organizations currently holding active HealthPath grants are ineligible to apply until their existing grant period ends.

Fiscal sponsorship is available for groups without 501(c)(3) status, but pre-approval from HealthPath’s Grants Manager is required. Proposals must be submitted via HealthPath’s online grant portal by March 14, 2025, at 11:59 p. m.

EST. Funding decisions will be announced in April, with disbursements expected to begin in May. Applications will be evaluated based on eligibility and alignment with HealthPath’s focus areas, demonstrated mission and impact, community-centered approaches, and meaningful community engagement.

Applicants must show how they incorporate cultural competency and apply a health equity lens throughout their work. While not used to determine funding decisions, applicants are also asked to disclose how they engage leaders from priority populations within their organizational leadership.

For questions or further assistance, applicants may contact Abby Haynes, Grants Manager & Administrator, via email at [email protected] or by phone at (513) 768-6125. Funds can be used for general operating support, allowing organizations to allocate resources where most needed to advance health equity.

Funding cannot be used for capital campaigns, healthcare levies, lobbying or political campaigns, emergency needs, scholarships, endowments, or grants to individuals. Eligible applicants must align with HealthPath’s mission and vision, be located in and primarily serve at least one of the 36 HealthPath counties, and address health and/or social needs impacting health outcomes.

Organizations with active HealthPath grants are ineligible until their current grant concludes. Ineligible uses of funds include capital campaigns, healthcare levies, lobbying, political campaigns, emergency needs, scholarships, endowments, or grants to individuals. Diversity Equity and Inclusion Community Connections Grant | GrantExec, a Euna Solutions® company