Systems Change

This change is one that is fully sustainable and not connected to grant funds or external expectations, but rather an organizational or cross-system priority to new policies, culture, communication or practices.

What does that really mean: The easiest way to describe systems change is to think of it as a policy change or practice change. Let’s take, for example, a state healthcare system and say it has seven (7) steps for any one person to be verified and become enrolled in the state healthcare system’s program. If through either internal policy changes or practice changes (efficiencies, no longer requiring specific documentation, referrals, etc.)  this system is updated to reduce the number of steps to two (2) steps, we would consider that systems change. Other examples may include creating coordinated systems where there previously were siloed approaches., changing unequitable practices, and more.

We know it can sound confusing, so we hope the explanations and examples below help clarify some questions. If you still have questions, please email grants@vitalysthealth.org and we will be happy to answer questions or set up a time to meet with you to discuss further.

  1. Six Conditions of Systems Change
  2. Understanding Systems to Change the World
  3. Creating the Future – Change the Questions, Change the World!
  4. Bay Area Health Inequities Initiative Framework 
  5. Meeting Individual Social Needs Falls Short of Addressing Social Determinants of Health
  6. The Spectrum of Prevention – Summary 
  7. The Health Impact Pyramid
  8. The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention

Health Equity Lens

Equity is a lens through which to view every opportunity, decision, or action. Using this lens means taking an approach to determining all strategies, both universal and focused.

Community Partnership

True partnership involves meaningfully engaging key stakeholders from the beginning, sharing ownership and decision-making, and creatively using existing community resources and assets.

Sustainability

Sustainability is the difference between funding a program and funding a project. The goal with Systems Change grants is to create lasting change, either through policy or practice, that is sustainable past the grant funding period.

Health Outcomes Focus

Health is at the root of what we do. These grants must clearly identify which health outcome(s) will be improved, including the population driving and benefiting from the change and the mechanism(s) for how the policy/practice change is improving the health outcome.

 

Quotes icon

I am a Vitalyst because I care about community well-being, and I’m excited to be part of a movement that’s making Arizona a better place to live, work, and play. -Adrienne Udarbe. Learn more here.

I am a Vitalyst because I am an unconventional systems thinker. -Jaclyn Pederson. Learn more here.

I am a Vitalyst because I’m working to co-create a society that values people, equity, justice, and health. -Jeffrey Zetino. Learn more here.

Systems Change Grants invest in efforts that positively address complex community health challenges and reduce structural and/or systemic gaps in health outcomes or opportunities.

Grants Process

  • The grant cycle opens in the Fall and awarded in the Spring.
  • Letters of Intent (LOIs) are first reviewed by staff for clarity and conciseness in meeting these criteria.
  • Select LOIs are invited to submit a full proposal and present to the Vitalyst grants review team.

Grant Criteria

  • 2+ partners working collaboratively, the lead being an Arizona-based nonprofit serving Arizonans
  • Clearly identified policy, systems, or environmental change
  • Specific health outcomes to be improved and intersections of the Elements of a Healthy Community
  • Framed with a health equity lens benefiting and including an identified population
  • Budget consistent with the proposed scope of work
  • Sustainable solution that endures after the grant funding

Award Amount
•Three-year awards
• Up to 175,000 total

Key Dates
Letter of Intent Due October 6, 2023
Proposals Due January 19, 2024
Presentations to Vitalyst team February 5 to February 9, 2024

Systems Change Information Session 

Watch the Information Session recording here. Click here to view the slide deck. For Frequently Asked Questions, click here.

Other Important Information

  • Not required, but to discuss your Systems Change Grant proposal with a Vitalyst team member, complete the Vitalyst Discovery Form and note interest in Systems Change Grants, and we will be in contact to schedule a 30-minute conversation via phone call or Zoom.
  • Letters of Intent (LOIs) are due by 5:00 PM (MST-AZ) on Friday, October 6 to this Vitalyst online portal. Refer to these instructions for portal submission.
  • Notifications of invitation to submit a full proposal will be made on Friday, December 9.

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