Building Community Power Fund

Building Community Power Fund

Letters of Intent are currently being accepted until Friday, September 26 at 5:00 pm. 

Every day in Montgomery County, community organizations and leaders are working to address and improve civic engagement, racial and social equity, public policies and systems, and social determinants of health and well-being. HealthSpark’s grantmaking, convening, and leadership will stand behind and support their inspirational and essential efforts. Through our strategic goals—Community Power, Leadership, and Solutions— we aim to support transformative leaders, build thriving communities, and achieve opportunities and justice for all. 

This fall, HealthSpark Foundation is excited to launch the second round of the Building Community Power Fund – a key initiative of our 2025-2029 Strategic Plan to create healthy, equitable, and hopeful communities throughout Montgomery County. This grant program is designed to strengthen our definition of community power - our belief that people should have influence and control over the policies, programs, and practices that affect their lives.  

About the Building Community Power Fund 

We created the Building Community Power Fund because we believe advocacy is a critical lever for achieving health equity. The Fund provides grants to help nonprofit organizations embed advocacy for equitable, data-driven public policy into their culture, operations, and programs, or strengthen existing efforts.  

Through this Fund, we will support a range of activities such as: 

• Board and staff training on allowable and impactful nonprofit advocacy activities; 
• Strategic planning activities to incorporate advocacy activities into a nonprofit’s mission and services; 
• Developing educational materials to inform decision-makers and the public;  
• Building relationships with elected officials and policymakers to support advocacy efforts; 
• Engaging or training residents, community partners, peers, and others in advocacy opportunities; 
• Training or leadership development for residents of diverse backgrounds to serve on community boards, commissions, or to take part in other civic activities; 
• Hosting educational or advocacy events; 
• Providing nonpartisan voter education and registration; 
• Other activities that advance a clear advocacy strategy.

Special note: Collaboration is encouraged. If you’re considering a joint application, get in touch with us to discuss your thoughts. 

What We Value in Applicants 

• Deep roots and trust in the local community 
• Engagement with and led by people affected by the issue or challenges they seek to address 
• Commitment to racial and social justice, coalition-building, and partnerships 
• Ability to mobilize and inspire community involvement or action 

Why This Matters to Us 

HealthSpark Foundation is committed to helping nonprofit organizations in Montgomery County build the community power necessary to advocate for community needs, raise awareness of critical issues, and create lasting change. By fostering opportunities for advocacy, building necessary resources, and strengthening ongoing activities, we believe in driving impactful outcomes for the community. 

Grant Funding Details 

HealthSpark anticipates: 

• Awarding grants with a maximum of $20,000 for a one-year period beginning in December. 
• Grants may be awarded as general operating support or programmatic (restricted) support. 
• Announcing award decisions in late November.  

Note: Receiving funding from this grant program does not disqualify an applicant from receiving other funding from HealthSpark through other grant programs. 

How to Apply 

We are now accepting Letters of Intent (LOIs) for the Building Community Power Fund. The deadline for submitting LOIs is Friday, September 26, 2025, 5:00 pm. After reviewing all submissions, a limited number of selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. All applicants will be notified by Monday, October 6, 2025. 

What to Include in Your LOI: 

1. Organization Mission and Overview 

   A brief description of your organization, including your mission, the community you serve, and the services provided. (If this information is available on your website or a brochure, you can just link to the appropriate website pages or attach a copy of the brochure instead). 

2. Project Summary 

   A concise overview of the activities that will be supported. 

3. Alignment with the Building Community Power Fund 

   A brief explanation of how your project or your ongoing activities align with the goals and priorities of the Building Community Power Fund. Please answer either of the following questions: How is community power reflected in your work? Or how do you want it to show up in your work? 

4. Previously funded Building Community Power Fund applicants 

   If your organization was awarded a Building Community Power Fund grant this year, describe how your organization is using learnings (successes and failures/ challenges) moving forward. 

5. Contact Information 

   The name, title, organization/affiliation, email, and phone number of the primary contact person for the LOI.

LOI Length and Submission: 

• Please keep your LOI to no more than two pages. 
• Submit your LOI as an attached PDF via email to Akshara Vivekananthan, Program Officer at avivekananthan@healthspark.org.  

Eligibility Requirements 

• Projects must serve Montgomery County residents; applicants must have a 501(c)(3), or have a fiscal intermediary/sponsorship relationship, or be a religious organization, or part of Montgomery County government.  
• Organizations that are not Montgomery County-based (i.e., statewide or national organizations) should clearly demonstrate their connections and work to Montgomery County, the relationships with organizations in Montgomery County, and the connection to and understanding of Montgomery County residents and their needs. Grants awarded to these regional, statewide, or national groups will be in the form of a restricted grant to take place in Montgomery County, where work is centered. 

Questions 

We truly welcome phone calls about this program before applying! If you have any questions or are thinking about applying to the Building Community Power Fund, please contact Akshara Vivekananthan, Program Officer at avivekananthan@healthspark.org. 

About HealthSpark Foundation 

HealthSpark Foundation is a private, independent foundation serving Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. We are guided by principles of courage, justice, integrity, and hope. We vision transformative leaders, thriving communities, and opportunity and justice for all, and our mission is to achieve healthy, equitable, and hopeful communities throughout Montgomery County. Learn more at www.healthspark.org. 

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