The CARES Foundation

The CARES Foundation is sponsored by The CARES Foundation. Provides grants to empower communities in the Sacramento region to enhance HIV prevention, care, and awareness.

Apply for a Grant - The CARES Foundation We Will Always be in the Fight to End HIV and to Provide the Best Care Possible to All Those Affected by HIV. That Will Never Change. Ever.

Supporting HIV Prevention We fund programs that focus on HIV prevention strategies, including syringe exchange, condom distribution, and PrEP, PEP and TaSP education. Bridging Gaps in HIV Care We address unreimbursed gaps in supportive services to ensure people living with HIV remain in continuous care.

Expanding Access to HIV Testing Through grants and partnerships, we increase access to HIV testing with linkage to care, ensuring early detection and treatment. We support innovative projects that address HIV’s impact in the Sacramento region, fostering collaboration and pilot programs that enhance service delivery. The CARES Foundation 2027 Grant Cycle opens on May 1, 2026.

To be considered for grant funding, a Letter of Intent (LOI) must be submitted to the CARES Foundation. Full grant proposals are accepted only after the following have occurred: An organization has submitted a Letter of Intent for review by the Foundation’s Grant Review and Fund Development (GRFD) Committee and Received a subsequent invitation from the CARES Foundation to send a full proposal.

Prior to submitting an LOI, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to review this website to determine whether the request aligns with the Foundation’s strategic funding priorities, and whether the agency meets all criteria required to submit an LOI.

CARES Foundation 2027 Grant Cycle Informational Webinar Slide CARES Foundation 2027 Grant Cycle FAQs 2027 Grants Cycle Timeline and GRFD and Board Meetings for Grant Cycle Items 2027 Letter of Intent (LOI)s due June 18, 2026 – GRFD meeting Review 2027 LOIs and decide on grant proposal invitations GRFD 2027 LOI recommendations presented to Board Invitations to agencies to complete 2027 grant application Review/score applications September 18th – GRFD grant review session (half day) 2027 grant proposal review and recommendations Sept/Oct Board meeting 2026 GRFD 2027 grants recommendations presented Notification of approval/denial of grants Negotiation of MOUs, Budgets, Status Report Forms Start Your Letter of Intent To be invited to submit a grant proposal for the 2027 grant cycle, organizations must first complete the Letter of Intent (LOI) form provided below by 5pm on June 1st, 2026 .

No late submissions will be accepted. Submission of an LOI does not guarantee an invitation to submit a grant proposal. Standard 1-Year LOI (2027) This is the standard application form for all eligible organizations.

LOI Due Date May 31, 2026 Note: Submission of an LOI does not guarantee invitation to submit a grant application Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Proposed Project Name * Proposed Project Period: 1/1/2027-12/31/2027 Brief Project Description * Request from CARES Foundation * Total Proposed Project Budget * Total Other Funding Sources for Project * Percent of Project Budget Requested of Foundation * Primary Contact Name/Title * — Select state — Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming State 501(c)(3) with 509(a)designation as non-private Foundation Public school, local, state or federal government agency Organization Mission and Current Services (150 words) * Proposed Project Description (150 words) * Proposed Project Outcomes and Deliverables (150 words) * Primary CARES Foundation Priority(ies) Addressed by Proposed Project : Outreach, education and engagement associated with: Risk reduction supply distribution (e.g., safer sex and injection drug use); Pre- and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis distribution Prevention education for youth (schools, parent/youth workshops, etc.) HIV Testing with Linkage to Care, such as: HIV testing with linkage to confirmatory testing Client follow up to ensure client is aware of status and linked to medical care and case management Community resources education for medical care and support services Specify other HIV prevention: * Specify other HIV testing: * Filling Unreimbursed Gaps in Supportive services to keep People Living with HIV (PLWH) in Care, such as: Outreach, education and engagement to keep PLWH in Care to reach viral suppression (Treatment as Prevention – TaSP) Substance Use Disorder Treatment Case management including benefits enrollment Other Filling Unreimbursed Gaps Innovative projects that decrease impact of HIV in the Sacramento region: Pilot projects (i.e., service expansion, infrastructure development, etc.) Provider collaboration to increase service impact, continuity of care, and decrease service duplication Other innovative projects Specify filling unreimbursed gaps: * Specify other innovative projects: * Other population(s) of focus: Sacramento County subregion served: South Sacramento (95823) (Florin, Fruitridge/South Landpark) Central/Urban Core (Oakpark) Citrus Heights / North Highlands Specify other population(s) of focus: * Specify other subregion: * 2027 Letter of Intent (One-Year Grant) LOI Due Date May 31, 2026 Note: Submission of an LOI does not guarantee invitation to submit a grant application Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Proposed Project Name * Proposed Project Period: 1/1/2027-12/31/2027 Brief Project Description * Request from CARES Foundation * Total Proposed Project Budget * Total Other Funding Sources for Project * Percent of Project Budget Requested of Foundation * Primary Contact Name/Title * — Select state — Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming State 501(c)(3) with 509(a)designation as non-private Foundation Public school, local, state or federal government agency Organization Mission and Current Services (150 words) * Proposed Project Description (150 words) * Proposed Project Outcomes and Deliverables (150 words) * Primary CARES Foundation Priority(ies) Addressed by Proposed Project : Outreach, education and engagement associated with: Risk reduction supply distribution (e.g., safer sex and injection drug use); Pre- and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis distribution Prevention education for youth (schools, parent/youth workshops, etc.) HIV Testing with Linkage to Care, such as: HIV testing with linkage to confirmatory testing Client follow up to ensure client is aware of status and linked to medical care and case management Community resources education for medical care and support services Specify other HIV prevention: * Specify other HIV testing: * Filling Unreimbursed Gaps in Supportive services to keep People Living with HIV (PLWH) in Care, such as: Outreach, education and engagement to keep PLWH in Care to reach viral suppression (Treatment as Prevention – TaSP) Substance Use Disorder Treatment Case management including benefits enrollment Other Filling Unreimbursed Gaps Innovative projects that decrease impact of HIV in the Sacramento region: Pilot projects (i.e., service expansion, infrastructure development, etc.) Provider collaboration to increase service impact, continuity of care, and decrease service duplication Other innovative projects Specify filling unreimbursed gaps: * Specify other innovative projects: * Other population(s) of focus: Sacramento County subregion served: South Sacramento (95823) (Florin, Fruitridge/South Landpark) Central/Urban Core (Oakpark) Citrus Heights / North Highlands Specify other population(s) of focus: * Specify other subregion: * 2-Year Grant Pilot (2027-2028) Restricted Access: This form is only for current grantees who have been notified by the Foundation in writing of their eligibility for the pilot period.

2-Year Grant Pilot Period 2027-2028 LOI Due Date May 31, 2026 Note: Submission of an LOI does not guarantee invitation to submit a grant application Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Proposed Project Name * Proposed Project Period: 1/1/2027-12/31/2028 (2-year grant). Must be a current grantee that has been notified in writing by Foundation that it is eligible to apply for 2027/28 pilot period.

Brief Project Description * Request from CARES Foundation * Total Proposed Project Budget * Total Project Funding from Other Sources * Percent of Project Budget Requested of Foundation * Primary Contact Name/Title * — Select state — Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming State 501(c)(3) with 509(a)designation as non-private Foundation Public school, local, state or federal government agency Organization Mission and Current Services (150 words) * Proposed Project Description (150 words) * Proposed Project Outcomes and Deliverables (150 words) * Primary CARES Foundation Priority(ies) Addressed by Proposed Project : Outreach, education and engagement associated with: Risk reduction supply distribution (e.g., safer sex and injection drug use); Pre- and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis distribution Prevention education for youth (schools, parent/youth workshops, etc.) HIV Testing with Linkage to Care, such as: HIV testing with linkage to confirmatory testing Client follow up to ensure client is aware of status and linked to medical care and case management Community resources education for medical care and support services Specify other HIV prevention: * Specify other HIV testing: * Filling Unreimbursed Gaps in Supportive services to keep People Living with HIV (PLWH) in Care, such as: Outreach, education and engagement to keep PLWH in Care to reach viral suppression (Treatment as Prevention – TaSP) Substance Use Disorder Treatment Case management including benefits enrollment Other Filling Unreimbursed Gaps Innovative projects that decrease impact of HIV in the Sacramento region: Pilot projects (i.e., service expansion, infrastructure development, etc.) Provider collaboration to increase service impact, continuity of care, and decrease service duplication Other innovative projects Specify filling unreimbursed gaps: * Specify other innovative projects: * Other population(s) of focus: Sacramento County subregion served: South Sacramento (95823) (Florin, Fruitridge/South Landpark) Central/Urban Core (Oakpark) Citrus Heights / North Highlands Specify other population(s) of focus: * Specify other subregion: * The CARES Foundation Overview The CARES Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides grants to organizations in California’s Sacramento region that serve the needs of people living with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), prevent the transmission of HIV, and/or raise social awareness to end discrimination and stigma against those living with or at increased risk of contracting HIV.

These grants may include funds for specific programs, or for general operating support. The CARES Foundation is committed to improving the health of the Sacramento region by supporting nonprofit organizations that share in its mission and work with a variety of higher risk populations to reduce the impact of HIV and associated co-occurring conditions.

Unlike other chronic diseases, HIV is unique in the need to not only care for the patient, but to do everything possible to prevent transmission to others. Finding those infected with HIV as early as possible also means that HIV testing is a major focus for the Foundation. Equal consideration is given to grant proposals that address either HIV prevention or treatment and support for People Living with HIV (PLWH).

2027 Grant Cycle CLOSED Donate An applying organization must meet all of the following requirements: Nonprofit agency with evidence of tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code with or without 509(a) designation as a non-private foundation 501(c)19, 501(c)8, or 501(c)10, or a local, state, or federal government agency or a public school; and Located within and primarily serving residents of the greater Sacramento area.

An exception may be made for regional, statewide, or national public policy efforts that are of benefit to a substantial segment of the population of the greater Sacramento region; and Operated and organized so that it does not discriminate in the hiring of staff or in the provision of services on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, blindness, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, among other protected classes under state and federal law; and Agree to fully participate in any CARES Foundation event that involves its grantees.

The CARES Foundation Strategic Funding Priorities 1. HIV Prevention such as: Outreach, education and engagement associated with: Risk reduction supply distribution (e.g., safer sex and injection drug use) Pre- and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis distribution Prevention education for youth (schools, parent/youth workshops, etc.) 2.

HIV Testing with Linkage to Care, such as: HIV testing with linkage to confirmatory testing Client follow up to ensure client is aware of status and linked to medical care and case management Community resources education for medical care and support services 3.

Filling Unreimbursed Gaps in Supportive services to keep People Living with HIV (PLWH) in Care, such as: Outreach, education and engagement to keep PLWH in Care to reach viral suppression (Treatment as Prevention – TaSP) Substance Use Disorder Treatment Case management including benefits enrollment 4.

Innovative projects that decrease impact of HIV in the Sacramento region: Pilot projects (i.e., service expansion, infrastructure development, etc.) Provider collaboration to increase service impact, continuity of care, and decrease service duplication Examples of funding requests the CARES Foundation will not fund include the following: Funding for goods or services that could be reimbursed by third-party payors; unless any of the following conditions exist: a) services are provided to patients who do not have healthcare insurance that covers those services and/or b) services are provided to patients that do not to use their health care insurance due to confidentiality concerns; or Distributions to any foreign organization, political organizations, or campaigns, or for any Sectarian purposes (i.e., programs that promote or require a religious doctrine); or Projects that require the CARES Foundation to directly provide goods, services, or funds to individuals.

Benefits Expenses are capped at 30% of personnel costs. Indirect/Overhead Expenses are capped at 15% of personnel plus non-personnel costs. Advertisement Advertisement