Health outcomes are vastly unequal across San Diego, and historically marginalized and excluded communities continue to bear the burden of this inequity.
Specifically, health outcomes in San Diego are strongly correlated to income, racial identity, and geographic location.
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Those with a low socio-economic status are more than twice as likely to suffer from a disease or illness (ranging from acute to chronic) than someone with high socio-economic status.1
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Black and American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) populations have the highest rates of disability.2
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More than any other races, Hispanic residents in San Diego County did not have a usual place to go when sick or in need of health advice.3
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San Diego County hides starkly inequitable access to care based on location. Residents of El Cajon have a patient-physician ratio of 3,830:1, a number that is 10x larger than the ratio for a resident of La Jolla (375:1).4
The Conrad Prebys Foundation’s goal is to ensure that excellent, culturally competent healthcare is accessible to, and in, underserved communities.
To help us define underserved communities, we looked at those areas with low medical service rates, high rates of health professional shortages, and high rates of morbidity.
We know community clinics are the primary healthcare providers to these communities. The data also shows clinics serving border communities and on tribal lands are under-resourced to meet the systemic challenges their communities face.
Therefore, Prebys is launching the Strengthening Health Access, Resources and Excellence (SHARE) Initiative which will provide two-year, general operating support funds of up to $250K per year to high performing, culturally competent community health clinics, particularly those serving indigenous, immigrant, and border communities.
These investments are intended to:
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Support the capacity of health clinics serving areas with poor health outcomes and a shortage of healthcare workers
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Ensure those furthest from care (due to lack of physical proximity or linguistic barriers) are receiving excellent and culturally competent health services
We will trust clinic leaders, who understand their community and operations best, to determine the best use of funds to expand access to quality care. This can vary greatly, but might mean supporting clinics to:
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Retain or increase staff
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Stay open for longer hours
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Make investments in internal infrastructure
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Get more proximate through mobile services or partnerships
How does this initiative fit within the foundation’s strategy?
In February 2023, the foundation launched its Strategy Plan and articulated a long-term vision for healthcare in San Diego - that all San Diegans are mentally and physically healthy. As part of this vision, the foundation is focused on three core areas, ensuring:
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San Diegans are trained for, and offered, quality jobs in healthcare, including community and behavioral health workers
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Excellent, culturally competent healthcare is accessible to and in, underserved communities
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Underrepresented communities feel trust and safety with their health providers
This is our first healthcare initiative under our new strategy, and for the next several years, we will learn from this and other initiatives as we continue to improve our strategy and deepen community support. Thus, while this initiative is providing two years of funding, we are also committed to building relationships with the community and providers that go well beyond that time frame.
Read more about our strategy here.
SHARE Initiative
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who should apply?
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Community Health Centers or other Federally Qualified Health Centers
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Organizations that function similarly to Federally Qualified Health Centers
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Rural Health Clinics
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Migrant Health Clinics
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Free Clinics providing primary care and/or other ancillary services related to healthcare in San Diego County
Can multiple organizations apply together?
Yes, we are open to multiple organizations applying in partnership/coalitions.
If applying with a partnering organization or a consortium, is there an award amount cap?
This will be dependent upon the number of organizations, use of funds, and conversations with the foundation team.
Are current grantees eligible to apply for the SHARE Initiative?
Yes.
Will SHARE Initiative grantees be eligible to apply for other upcoming initiative/grant programs being announced later this year?
Yes. SHARE grantees will also be eligible to apply for/participate in other initiatives. As other initiatives are still under development, we do not yet have full details about possible crossovers – but currently, we do not want to limit organizations if they identify an alignment with a future initiative as well.
What is the timeline from stage 1 to grant notification?
Stage 1 will be open until May 15, 2023. At that time, organizations chosen to move forward will be asked to schedule a face-to-face meeting with The Conrad Prebys Foundation program team. Sessions will take place between May 15 - May 19. Decisions will be made between May 29 - June 2, 2023. Organizations will be notified of awards the week of June 12.
I don’t think my organization’s work is a fit for this initiative, but at the community meetings I attended, you talked about additional funding opportunities. When will you announce them?
The foundation will be announcing a variety of initiatives within its four focus areas: Visual and Performing Arts, Medical Research, Healthcare, Youth Success. If this initiative does not reflect the priorities of your organization, there may be additional opportunities for funding later in the year. Please subscribe to our newsletter here to obtain updates on news from the foundation and future partnership opportunities.
What is the application process?
Our application process is designed to be easy to navigate and respectful of your time and energy.
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Stage 1: Complete the Application (Eligibility Quiz and Letter of Interest), which consists of 12 short questions and should take applicants less than 20 minutes to complete. Foundation staff will assess clinics that meet the eligibility quiz against a set of industry and impact criteria, such as readmission rates, quality ratings, reach/geographic proximity to underserved areas, populations served, and provider-to-patient ratios. The LOI Deadline is May 15, 2023.
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Stage 2: If your organization is selected to move forward, we will meet for an exploration meeting during which we would like to hear from you about how you are tackling barriers to access and quality, as well as your priorities and ambitions. Questions for this meeting will be sent in advance.
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Stage 3: We will ask finalists for a list of 2-3 references and any additional data we might need in order to select grantees (e.g., staff demographics or performance indicators).
Note: The grantmaking process for each program area may vary. For future grantmaking processes, applicants will be notified with information about how to apply.
What happens after Stage 1?
If you are a potential fit within the initiative, we will contact you by phone and email to schedule a 60-90 minute exploration meeting with 2 people within your organization, including at least one program person. Once the meeting is scheduled, you will receive a calendar invite with five questions that will guide our conversation.
What if we are not selected for an interview?
We will contact you to let you know if you are not selected for an interview.
What is the time commitment for each stage of the application process?
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Stage 1 is approximately 15-20 minutes.
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Stage 2, the exploration conversation, is 60-90 minutes of conversation time, not including any preparation. We will share discussion questions ahead of the meeting.
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Stage 3, the form, will take you approximately 15 minutes.
Why is the Application portal open for such a short time?
In an effort to streamline the grantmaking process, we are only asking 11 one-word questions and one short answer question at this stage. You are not being asked to submit any new information beyond what you already know and have. Complete the application here.
How do I get back to my Grant Portal account if I need to make changes or finish filling out my form?
How will I be assessed? How will recipients be selected?
We are developing a set of criteria to help us assess applicants. These criteria will include:
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readmission rates,
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quality ratings,
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reach / geographic proximity to under-served areas,
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populations served, and
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provider-to-patient ratios.
We will also seek references and community feedback about applicants.
What types of projects will the foundation provide funding for?
These funds are general operating support dollars so do not have any restrictions on use or expectations around projects. We are open to all organizational needs that support access to, and quality of, patient-centered healthcare. You may use the funds in whatever way you think will be most effective to achieve these outcomes.
Will the foundation give preference to funding for “proven” concepts or does it prefer to fund innovative ideas?
We do not have a preference on type of project or intended outcomes - whether you are investing in expanding activities that have already been proven to succeed or are exploring new ways to provide quality care to your community. Ultimately, the depth, breadth, and overall potential of proposed investments will be considered as criteria for potential funding.
When will we know if we have been awarded?
Through each stage of the process, you will be contacted directly to discuss next steps and answer any questions you might have. We hope to select grantees by June.
How much will the grants be?
Grant amounts will vary according to organization size, need, and service area but will not exceed $250,000 per year for two years. We are open to multiple organizations applying in partnership/ coalition for higher amounts of funding.
How can I use the grant?
You may use the grant in whatever way you think you can be most effective in achieving your goals.
Who do I talk to if I am not sure if my organization qualifies?
If you have any questions regarding this initiative, please email Veronica Blea or call 619-860-2100 ext. 111
Who do I talk to if I have questions about the Grant Portal?
If you have any questions regarding this initiative, please email Victor Alcala or call 619-860-2100 ext. 109
References:
1 Community Health Statistics Unit (CHSU). (2021). Racial Equity Dashboards - San Diego County. Tableau Software. https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/chsu/viz/RacialEquityDashboardsSanDiegoCounty/HomePage
2 Community Health Statistics Unit (CHSU). (2021). Racial Equity Dashboards - San Diego County. Tableau Software.
3 County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. (2021). Racial Equity Framework and Outcomes Brief, Data Guide (FINAL). https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/CHS/Racial%20Equity%20Framework%20and%20Outcomes%20Brief%2C%20Data%20Guide%20FINAL.pdf
4 California Health Care Foundation. (2021). Regional market almanac 2020: San Diego [PDF]. Retrieved from https://www.chcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/RegionalMarketAlmanac2020SanDiego.pdf