Food is Medicine Program

Food is Medicine Program is sponsored by Louisiana Department of Health. This program supports targeted funding for the start-up and launch of food is medicine programs that include collaborations with healthcare providers and community-based organizations.

Grants, Sponsorships & Giving | Louisiana Healthcare Connections Grants, Sponsorships & Giving In serving our organizations’ mission – transforming Louisiana’s health, one person at a time – Louisiana Healthcare Connections depends on community partners who share our vision for the health of all. We invest in strategic initiatives that expand access to healthcare, increase preventive care, and improve health outcomes.

Prioritize initiatives providing or enhancing direct service to individuals. Focus on organizations serving Louisiana’s Medicaid population. Impact the broad geographic and cultural variety of our state.

Support coordinated, collective efforts over fragmented or duplicative ones.

Increase preventive care, with a special focus on: Maternal health, including prenatal, postpartum and mental health care Infant and child wellness Cervical and colorectal cancer screenings Screenings for sexually transmitted infections, especially HIV and syphilis Diabetes management and support Hypertension management and support Enhance Medicaid healthcare providers’ resources and skills to: Improve targeted health outcomes Integrate physical and behavioral healthcare Expand access to health care Address social drivers of health related to: Food insecurity and nutrition Job training and placement Funding Recipient Criteria Alignment with our mission, guiding principles, and strategic priorities Directly serving Medicaid recipients within Louisiana In good standing with the Louisiana Secretary of State and Internal Revenue Service Community organizations must be registered as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, 501(c)(19) Veterans group, or 509(a)(1) church, school or hospital.

Healthcare providers must be participating in our network Individuals, for-profit corporations, or other entities without a 501(c)(3 or 19) or 509(a)(1) designation Grant proposals with administrative costs greater than 10% Efforts related to elections or public policy advocacy Organizations excluded from the Louisiana Medicaid program Entities that discriminate based on any protected class of individuals All grants, sponsorships and events require the approval of the Louisiana Department of Health.

As a result, sponsorship and donation requests made fewer than 30 days in advance may not be considered. This strategy guides our community investments but cannot anticipate every scenario. Funds are limited and all funding decisions are at Louisiana Healthcare Connections’ discretion based on these and other factors, to best serve our mission and purpose.

Each year, we make strategic investments through Community Health Grants to programs aligned with our strategic priorities of maternal and child health, preventive care, social drivers of health, and Medicaid provider capabilities.

2026 Investment Grants will fund programs and/or services that impact maternal and child health One-time investments that build capacity or enhance service, in alignment with our strategic priorities Applications accepted on a rolling basis; awarded quarterly Learn More & Apply for a Grant Conference and Event Sponsorships Louisiana Healthcare Connections is committed to supporting our community through initiatives that expand access to care, increase preventive services, and improve health outcomes.

We provide resource tabling to share information, educational materials, and connections for current and potential Medicaid enrollees. Please submit your resource‑tabling, event, or sponsorship request, including a flyer or sponsor/exhibitor brochure for consideration. Requests must be submitted at least 60 days in advance and are reviewed during our monthly evaluation cycle.

Louisiana Healthcare Connections may provide promotional items (e.g., bags, cups, hand sanitizer, masks, pens), food, beverages, or other items in support of programs or events that align with our investment priorities. Healthcare providers must follow Louisiana Medicaid state marketing regulations . Monthly review and selection cycle Requests must be submitted 30 days in advance