Eligibility & Guidelines

Information For NonProfit Organizations

2024 Annual Grant Cycle

Inspired by our mission, Three Arches Foundation makes funding decisions through a strategic grant making process, investing in organizations that advance health and well-being by specifically addressing opportunities and barriers to achieve equitable access to care.

Grant Eligibility

Grant requests will be accepted from organizations that are recognized as a tax-exempt public charity 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) under the Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). All requests must be aligned with our mission, funding priority area of equitable access to behavioral and/or physical health care, and geographic focus of Lakewood and surrounding communities. Please be sure you have reviewed the eligibility requirements before proceeding.

Grant Guidelines

Our values represent the guiding principles we share in our thinking, actions, decisions and responses for the benefit of our community. As such, we are especially interested in organizations that work with others towards a common purpose and grant requests that build on proven strategies, replicate successful existing models, or are the start or next phase of a promising model or practice.

Prioritized Attributes: When developing your proposal, keep in mind this is a competitive process and we prioritize requests that: 

• Concentrate on under-resourced communities and populations most impacted by *health disparities, including people from some racial and ethnic minority groups; individuals who are economically and socially disadvantaged, have lower levels of education, and live with disabilities; and those who face obstacles to health based on age, sexual orientation, or gender identity

• Focus on actionable efforts that make it easier for people to afford, understand, navigate, and utilize services – when, where, and how they are needed – to take care of their health

• Directly serve people from within TAF’s footprint of Lakewood and surrounding communities (as demonstrated by percentage of total served). Recognizing that where people live is among the most important determinants of health, precedence is given to initiatives that predominately focus on those living in zip codes with greater health inequities (44102, 44109, 44111, 44113, 44135, 44144 and 44107)

• Demonstrate a thoughtful, inclusive, and equitable approach to their work

• Have an appropriate plan to monitor and measure outcomes

• Embrace an innovative and collaborative approach to addressing a need

• Sustain the impact of the work and continue to benefit the community beyond the grant period

*Healthy People 2030 defines a health disparity as “a particular type of health difference that is closely linked with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage. Health disparities adversely affect groups of people who have systematically experienced greater obstacles to health based on their racial or ethnic group; religion; socioeconomic status; gender; age; mental health; cognitive, sensory, or physical disability; sexual orientation or gender identity; geographic location; or other characteristics historically linked to discrimination or exclusion.”

Use of Funds: Grant funds may be used for the following purposes:

• Capacity Building – strengthening an organization’s infrastructure, management, and governance to be more impactful, efficient, and effective

• Operating – support of day-to-day activities and general expenses for organizations whose core mission aligns with the provision of behavioral and/or physical health-related programs or services

• Pilot Project – a small-scale, short term test or trial that helps an organization learn how a large-scale project might work in practice

• Program Support or Development – direct costs associated with current, new or expanded programs, services, and interventions

• Program-Related Capital – equipment, materials, or space or renovation costs for a program, service, or intervention

Three Arches Foundation does not make grants to support endowments, research, or debt retirement; capital or fundraising campaigns (including annual appeals), fundraising events, or membership drives; and scholarships.

Award Size: The Foundation awards grants that typically range in size from $25,000-$100,000 per year.

Grant Funding Term: Funding terms will vary depending upon the particular request. Most grants are for one year; however, multi-year grants are considered and prioritized when a period greater than twelve months is necessary to launch or implement an initiative. Although the Foundation’s budget may limit the number of multi-year grants we can approve each year, we will work with our grantees to find a grant structure that is mutually beneficial.

Organizations are eligible for one grant per year and are not eligible for another grant during a multi-year grant funding term.

Joint Request: The Foundation encourages collaboration and partnership among its grantees and will consider a joint request from multiple applicants, even if one of the applicants has already received a grant individually or plans to submit a separate request. A proposal is considered joint if two or more organizations are working together on a project and at least two of the organizations receive a portion of the grant funds to carry out the goals of the proposal. If your organization is considering a joint request, please share this intent with Kristin Broadbent at kbroadbent@threearches.org prior to completing the Request Summary (noted below).

Grant Proposal Process

Our grant proposal process includes multiple steps:

Get Acquainted Call – Mandatory for Organizations New to Three Arches Foundation: This informal conversation serves as an introduction for organizations that have not previously worked with the Foundation and must be completed by May 31 to be considered for the 2024 Annual Grant Cycle. If after reviewing the grant eligibility and guidelines you believe your organization aligns with the Foundation’s priorities and funding criteria, please contact Kristin Broadbent at kbroadbent@threearches.org to schedule this call (do not wait until the last few days before the deadline). While a get acquainted call is required prior to submitting a Request Summary, not all inquiries move beyond this initial conversation.

Step 1 – Discovery Process: Submission of a Request Summary is the first step in our proposal process and required for all organizations. In consideration of your time, we ask you to share basic information about the organization and overview of the grant request. The Request Summary must be submitted no later than June 21.

As part of this step, a Discovery Conversation may be warranted if your organization is new to the Foundation or if your organization is familiar with the Foundation, but has never received funding. Current grant partners with new funding requests should also expect a conversation. This is an opportunity to further elaborate on the potential funding request as outlined in the summary and obtain preliminary feedback concerning your request and its potential fit within our funding priorities and requirements. Conversations will be scheduled and take place prior to July 31.

Not all organizations that submit a Request Summary will be invited to submit an Application.

Step 2 – Application Process: If it is determined the grant request has potential for funding, meets all eligibility requirements, and clearly and compellingly aligns with the Foundation’s interest, the organization will be invited to submit an Application for final consideration. We may also schedule a conversation with applicants during this step to obtain firsthand knowledge or additional insight about the organization and proposal elements. An invitation to submit an Application does not signify nor guarantee a grant award. 

Step 3 – Funding Decision:

Applications are reviewed and evaluated by staff and directors, with the TAF Board of Directors making its funding decision on November 14. Applicants can expect to be notified of the outcome by November 18.

Note that the Foundation frequently receives more quality proposals than can be funded. A decision by the Foundation to decline a request does not reflect on the merits of the applicant or the value of the proposal. Feedback on declined proposals will be provided.

If you have a question about the Foundation, our funding priority area, or the annual grant cycle process please contact us.