Funding Request for Proposals – 2025 Grantmaking
Purpose
The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to invite values-aligned non-profit entities, including educational institutions, to submit applications for funding to support various palliative and hospice care related activities within certain counties of Illinois (see “Eligibility Criteria” section below). Through this grant program for 2025, Elea anticipates awarding up to $700,000 in total awards to between five and ten organizations. Areas of potential funding are:
- Education: transmitting knowledge related to palliative and hospice care.
- Charity Care: financial assistance for patients who do not have insurance or cannot afford to pay for care.
- Integrative Therapy: holistic services that complement conventional medical care for patients’ well-being.
Background
Elea Institute is a nonprofit charitable organization created out of the proceeds from the 2022 sale of JourneyCare, a nonprofit hospice agency that stood at the forefront of hospice and palliative care in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. The organization’s name is inspired by the mythological figure Elea, who was the personification of mercy and compassion in ancient Athens.
A primary goal of Elea Institute is to honor its heritage and advance the missions that guided JourneyCare and its predecessor organizations: to ensure that all people have access to high-quality hospice and palliative care.
Elea Institute is dedicated to improving care and comfort for people with serious illnesses by awarding grants for innovative programs and initiatives, funding research, and advancing policies to promote high quality, widely accessible hospice and palliative care.
Timetable
RFP submission deadline: October 28, 2024
Proposal review; additional information collected: October 29 – December 9
Board Meets: January/February 2025
Applicants notified; funds delivered to successful applicants: Early March 2025
Eligibility and How to Apply
Organizations that meet the eligibility criteria may apply for one grant in each of the three program areas of charity care, education, and integrative services by submitting a separate proposal in each category. Organizations that have numerous entities or locations may submit only one application for each program area while specifying the location(s) of grant programming. Applications for special projects or operating support may be submitted.
Eligibility Criteria
- Tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
- Does work that is directly connected to the palliative and/or hospice care fields; and
- Provides programs or services to at least one of the 13 counties in Illinois listed below; and
- Prioritizes increasing number of patients served and quality of patient care.
| Boone | Kendall | McHenry |
| Cook | Lake | Ogle |
| DeKalb | LaSalle | Will |
| DuPage | Lee | Winnebago |
| Kane |
Exclusions
Elea Institute does not consider applications from:
- Programs outside of the 13 counties
- For-profit organizations, unless there is a specific charitable purpose with appropriate board oversight and expenditure responsibility, or
- Organizations where project budgets include no more than 15 percent of unrelated general operating costs.
Education Grants Program Funding
Designed to fund palliative and/or hospice related education to patients, families, community members and/or health care providers. Professional development for staff may qualify if it helps provide better care to patients.
- Minimum grant size: $15,000
- Maximum grant size: $150,000
- Grant project period: up to 2 years
Selection Criteria:
- Organization is financially stable
- Funding will have direct impact on patients or patient care
- Organization has experience engaging the community through outreach and education efforts
- Preference for new initiatives or expansion of current programs
Charity Care Grants Program Funding
Designed to help patients receive palliative and/or hospice care by providing financial assistance for those who do not have insurance or cannot afford to pay for care. Grant(s) are for care provided by a palliative or hospice care entity. Grant(s) must be applied to care provided in the future, and not for reimbursement of financial assistance that may have previously been made available.
- Minimum grant size: $50,000
- Maximum grant size: $200,000
- Grant project period: 1 year
Selection Criteria:
- Organization is financially stable
- If possible, the grant will expand current efforts, building on existing capacity
- Organization provides quality care, as demonstrated by quality scores
- Organization has experience providing charity care as illustrated by implementation of best practices including clear policies around who qualifies for financial assistance
Integrative Therapy Grants Program Funding
Designed to fund palliative and hospice related integrative therapy for patients, families, and community members. Professional development for staff may qualify if it helps staff provide better care to patients.
- Minimum grant size: $15,000
- Maximum grant size: $100,000
- Grant project period: up to 2 years
Selection Criteria:
- Organization is financially stable
- Organization provides quality care, as demonstrated by quality scores
- Funding will have direct impact on patients or patient care
- Preference for new initiatives or expansion of current programs
To apply for a grant, register and login to Elea’s online application system. Proposals must be completed and submitted with all required responses and attachments in order to be considered for funding in this grant cycle. Please use the access code “Elea22” to access the application.
If you have questions regarding this RFP, please contact Elizabeth Peck at epeck@gmafoundations.com. For any technical questions about the online application system, please contact Sarah Kain at skain@gmafoundations.com.