Invitations to submit a Spark Grant Proposal follow talking with a Vitalyst Director to make sure the proposed project is a fit for the Spark Grants. The first step is The Vitalyst Discovery Process. It is through the Discovery Process that we learn more about potential partnerships and how Vitalyst can best support organizations working to improve community health. The three-step, online process takes between 15-20 minutes to complete.

You can determine that fit by visiting the Vitalyst Grants webpage and reviewing the recorded informational session and slide deck. If you are interested and have not had a conversation, you may use this link to schedule.

The intention of the Spark Grants is to support collaborations in their journey to address systemic change. Key criteria for Spark Grants are: clearly identified problem by the community most impacted, defined system where the work would occur, majority of partners have engaged in conversation and are ready to work together, but there is not an identified solution. Spark Grants are planning grants — they are intended to fund the time for partners to figure out solutions, not to fund an already identified solution, pilot or research.   

The work should utilize a health equity lens to address two or more Elements of a Healthy Community to dream up a solution that is more effective, equitable, or sustainable than existing approaches.

The Details:

• Proposals should be no longer than 2 pages, typed, single-spaced minimum of 12 point font (Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri), 1 inch margins.
• In addition to the 2-page proposal, include a 1-page budget using the template (here) and budget narrative.
• Accepted file types: pdf, docx, txt, jpg, png
• Proposals for Spark Grants are evaluated quarterly.

Qualifications:

• Arizona-based organizations with a tax-exempt status who are serving Arizonans (fiscal sponsors are okay; this generally includes nonprofits, government, faith-based, etc.)
• 1 Spark grant submission per organization
• Two or more organizations/groups working collaboratively as partners
• Not a program or continuation of an existing program
• Applicants cannot be a current Innovation or Systems Change Grant awardee, though previous awardees or partners with closed grants are okay to apply.

Grant proposals will be assessed based upon clear and concise responses to the following criteria:

• Articulation of how health and well-being outcomes could be positively affected by a possible systems change.  What health and well-being outcome(s) is/are being negatively impacted by the way the existing system is functioning?
• The readiness and capacity of the partners to work collaboratively.
• A clear equity lens approach to the work.
• How will the project make a significant, sustainable difference in the future?
• How does the project address the intersection of two or more Elements of a Healthy Community?

If you are interested in learning more, please visit the Vitalyst Grants webpage and schedule a time to chat here.