We work strategically–through grants and other investments–to create measurable impact in our priority areas of Strong Families, Kindergarten Readiness and School Success. These investments may include strategic grants, learning communities, technical assistance and more. Investments are prioritized by the Every Child Thrives Transformation Council and directly support Every Child Thrives action plans.

We fund responsive grants in three areas. We accept most grant requests year-round so that opportunities are available to our partners when the time is right for them.

Impact investments leverage Foundation assets, through loans and equity ownership interests, to meet our social change goals. Always part of a comprehensive social change action plan, impact investments are catalytic in nature and require partnerships with co-investors. While impact investments may deliver modest financial returns (which we then redeploy into the region for charitable purposes), our primary focus is on the social returns each investment delivers.

• Capacity building, leadership development and technical assistance to help communities and organizations assess needs, develop strategic plans and implement policy changes that advance health
• Programs and services that improve health and social determinants of health
• Policies and settings that make it easy for individuals to make healthy choices
• Planning and feasibility studies related to our strategic priorities
• Durable equipment and supplies needed to achieve targeted results

• Institutions which discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, creed, gender or sexual orientation in policy or practice
• Fundraising events, celebrations, dinners or golf outings (See our Sponsorship Policy)
• Scholarships, fellowships or direct financial assistance to individuals
• Religious activities or political lobbying
• Medical, academic or scientific research
• Supplanting of existing salaries
• Endowments
• Activities that duplicate efforts in the community
• Retirement of previously incurred debt
• Capital "bricks and mortar" fundraising campaigns
• While GWCHF does not contribute to "bricks and mortar" fundraising campaigns, GWCHF's directed initiatives may include capital investments which promote health equity and are:
• Within the foundation's identified strategic priorities
• Evidenced-based for health enhancement

GWCHF makes an effort to minimize sponsorships so that it can use its resources to drive focused improvements in health. GWCHF will not sponsor fundraising events or purely social events. However, on a very limited basis, the Foundation will sponsor an educational event or conference if it:

• promotes at least one GWCHF priority area
• is collaboratively organized by multiple community partners
• is part of a larger plan to improve community health status
• provides positive public awareness and visibility to our priority areas, already has substantial community support and involvement, and will reach a large audience of community members
• is requested by an organization that is professionally managed with a proven track record of financial stewardship

• Advertising for project-specific personnel or program participant recruitment, or for project-related awareness and education Books, journals and membership dues specifically related to the project
• Consultants hired to perform professional services specifically related to the project
• Equipment with a unit cost of $3,000 or less, including computers and office equipment specifically needed for the project Honoraria for services, such as speaker fees, associated with a project-related conference or symposium
• Meals and meeting refreshments associated with a project-related conference or symposium, meeting requirements, site visit meals and guest meals. Alcohol is not a fundable expense.
• Office supplies maintained for general use by all staff for use on the project. Shipping is reimbursable; sales tax is not.
• Photocopying of documents for non-routine, project-specific use Postage costs
• Salaries and fringe benefits for program personnel based on the percentage of effort devoted by the employee
• Supplies and materials consumed in performance of the project agreement. Shipping is reimbursable; sales tax is not.
• Travel expenses including transportation, lodging, and meals for project-related activities.
• Indirect expenses are not funded expenses. GWCHF expects that partner organizations have the existing financial strength to carry on routine business. Therefore rent, insurance, maintenance and repair and personnel costs for support staff not involved in the project are not reimbursable.