Spark Grants

Overview

Spark Grants are planning grants to support collaboratives to plan and identify solutions toward systemic change. By the end of the grant period, collaboratives will have identified the necessary steps and calculated costs needed to achieve its systems change project.

Who Should Apply? 
Collaboratives that have built their capacity with the right partners in the right roles and are ready to plan their systems change.

Criteria 
Systems Change
• Clearly identified part of the system that is hoped to be changed (e.g., restorative justice practices in the criminal justice system, rural food production of the local food system, etc.)

Collaborative
• Collaborative is able to demonstrate readiness to plan the proposed systems change
• Explains partners roles and has created a plan to engage any key partners not included

Health Outcomes
• Identified community health issues focused on the intersections of the […]

Elements of a Healthy Community
• The collaborative can describe how its desired change will have a positive impact on community wellbeing

Health Equity
• The planned effort focuses on improving a specific health disparity
• The collaborative’s plan engages and benefits those most affected by the issue

Budget
• Consistent with the proposed scope of work is a one-year $30,000 grant

GRANT SPECIFICS

• Award amount $30,000 total
• Seven available
• Duration of one year
• Prospective partners are discovered via the Discovery intake process and, if aligned, invited to apply.

Fall Cycle:
Discovery Deadline September 25, 2026*
Submission Deadline: October 8, 2026
Award Notification: November 20, 2026

Winter Cycle:
Discovery Deadline January 22, 2027*
Submission Deadline: February 4, 2027
Award Notification: March 26, 2027

Spring Cycle:
Discovery Deadline April 23, 2027*
Submission Deadline: May 6, 2027
Award Notification: June 25, 2027

* After the Discovery Deadline, potential partners that meet criteria will be given instructions for the Submission Deadline.