Rapid Response Fund for Community Power
This past fall, HealthSpark Foundation launched our 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, which will direct our efforts to advance positive social change in Montgomery County and to build community power – our belief that people should have influence and control over the policies, programs, and practices that affect their lives.
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. Our grantmaking, convening, and leadership will stand behind and support their inspirational and essential efforts. Each year, HealthSpark will prioritize strategic initiatives that support transformative leaders, build thriving communities, and achieve opportunities and justice for all.
Our strategic goals—Community Power, Leadership, and Solutions—are designed to advance our new mission: to achieve healthy, equitable, and hopeful communities throughout Montgomery County.
Aligned with our core principles of courage and justice, we are proud to launch our Rapid Response Fund for Community Power. This fund will give one-time, fast, flexible funding support to Montgomery County organizations responding to critical and unexpected, urgent events or external challenges, while strengthening the voice and power of community members. The Rapid Response Fund is intended to help nonprofits and community-based organizations in a nonpartisan manner respond to critical threats, or opportunities to advance support for racial and social justice goals.
The Fund may support nonpartisan activities such as:
- Peaceful protest and actions in solidarity with targeted communities or issues (e.g., immigrants, LGBTQIA+, Black, Indigenous and people of color; people experiencing homelessness; reproductive rights)
- Supporting community and organizer safety (e.g., trainings, wellness, and legal defense needs).
- Community-led organizing and mobilizations
- Know your rights, safety, and legal training and support
- Security, wellness, and healing justice support
- Strategic mobilization and organizing convenings
- Popular education and public awareness campaigns
- Community organizing and leadership trainings
The Rapid Response Fund does not support:
- 501(c)4 organizations
- Funding for individuals, personal projects, or personal needs such as personal health, emergency relief, and assistance, medical bills, rent, providing food or basic essentials to individuals
- Direct service provision defined as meeting individuals’ basic immediate needs and other emotional and social supports
- Publications, media events, or research unless it is tied to an organizing strategy
- Replacing revenue shortfalls or addressing cash flow challenges
- General operating requests for ongoing work or existing programs that are not timely or urgent in response to sudden shifts in the political climate such as an unexpected threat or an unforeseen opportunity to build power
- Lobbying, political campaigns, or partisan activity
Application Process
HealthSpark Foundation is currently accepting grant applications on a rolling basis. To submit your application, please visit our grant management portal. All applications will be reviewed as they are received. Applicants can expect a decision within two weeks. However, our team will do our best to provide award notifications earlier whenever possible.
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 benefit Montgomery County, where work is centered.
Grant Funding Details
The 2025 Rapid Response Fund for Community Power budget is approximately $50,000. HealthSpark anticipates awarding grants with a range of $500 to a maximum of $5,000.
Note: Receiving funding from this grant program does not disqualify an applicant from receiving other funding from HealthSpark through other grant programs.
Questions
If you have any questions or are thinking about applying to the Rapid Response Fund for Community Power, please feel free to contact Akshara Vivekananthan, Program Officer at avivekananthan@healthspark.org.