Healthy Communities/Healthy America
"With the assistance of the AMA Foundation, we believe this project will not only help our patients with diabetes achieve improved health outcomes, but will also serve as a model that other communities in the country could emulate."
—Samaritan's Touch Care Center, Sebring, Fla.
In response to the growing health needs of the uninsured, hundreds of communities nationwide have developed free clinics. These non-profit clinics bring together physicians, health care professionals and other community volunteers to offer free or low cost health care to low-income, uninsured and under-insured people. Funding is generally raised on the local level and there is little if any government funding or support.
A recent AmeriCares survey found that 89 percent of the nation's free clinics reported a steady rise in patient visits within the past three years, and that increased demand and resource constraints have forced 56 percent of these clinics to turn away eligible patients.
Responding to this critical need, the AMA Foundation supports the efforts of physicians and other volunteers working at free clinics to provide quality, affordable health care. The program awards $10,000-$25,000 grants to physician-led free clinics. To date, we have awarded over $750,000 to 41 free clinics across the country.
The 2012 Healthy Communities/Healthy America program is currently accepting Letters of Inquiry (LOI) for the following:
- Nutrition and healthy behavior education projects for free clinic patients
Supported by a contribution from the Walmart Foundation
- Diabetes management and education projects for free clinic patients
Supported by a contribution from Lilly USA, LLC
Detailed instructions and eligibility requirements are included in the Letter of Inquiry (LOI). This downloadable document also includes the LOI application form.
The 2012-2013 program follows the National Association of Free Clinics' definition of a free clinic.
Further, grants will be awarded to free clinics that:
- at the time of application, have been incorporated as a 501(c)(3), or equivalent tax-exempt status, nonprofit for at least 3 consecutive years, but no more than 10 years;
- provide 20 or more hours of medical care per week (approximately 80 or more hours of medical care per month), not administration; this is defined as having clinicians (physicians/physician assistants/advance practice nurses) providing direct hands-on patient care; this does not include hours that involve the provision of pharmacy/medication/treatment, immunizations, or prevention screening services like blood pressure screenings and mammograms;
- have significant physician involvement (e.g., a physician leads the diabetes grant project, and/or there are a substantial number of physician volunteers on the project); and
- are requesting funds specifically for a diabetes management and education project, not for activities such as routine clinic operational costs, maintenance, or facility repairs.
Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate how grant dollars will be leveraged to provide the greatest amount of care.
Federally qualified health centers, “look-alikes”, and referral networks that coordinate care but do not provide direct care themselves (e.g. Project Access programs), are ineligible to apply. 2011-2012 Healthy Communities/Healthy America grant recipients are ineligible to apply for this 2012-2013 program. No grants to individuals; fundraising activities of any sort including endowment or other campaigns and grant preparation; debt reduction, deficits, or previous obligations; political projects or lobbying; or religious activities. Preference will not be given to free clinics that are subsidiaries of another organization such as a hospital system, university, church, or social service organization.
The AMA Foundation plans to award 11 grants of up to $25,000 for nutrition education and awareness projects and 5 grants of up to $10,000 for diabetes management and education projects.
The Letter of Inquiry is due Monday, Feb. 20, 2012 at 5:00pm Central Time. It must be received in the Foundation Office by that time.
We prefer letters submitted via e-mail, but will also accept letters submitted via mail. Please choose only one of these methods and do not submit multiple copies:
1) Via email (preferred method): Attach the LOI as a Word document or PDF in an e-mail to Katie Carter, Program Associate at katie.carter@ama-assn.org
2) Via mail: We strongly recommend you use a courier service such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL, rather than USPS First Class or Priority Mail, to better ensure a timely arrival. Mail an unstapled copy to: AMA Foundation, Attn: Healthy Communities/Healthy America, 515 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60654
In early April, applicants will either be invited or declined to submit a full proposal for review. Those invited will have the opportunity to more fully develop their proposed workplan, timeline, budget, and evaluation. Instructions for the full proposal and required attachments will be provided. The deadline for receipt of full proposals will be May 14, 2012. Grant recipients will then be selected and notified in mid-July. The grant period and project duration is up to one year from the date of the grant check.
Guidelines to request funding from the AMA Foundation
Tips on applying for funding and grant-writing, description of AMA Foundation funds, and links to other resources.
Grant recipients must submit a final report form upon completion of their project. All forms should be sent to the AMA Foundation office.
Grant outcomes
Read about key results from these grant projects
Program Impact
This program facilitates sustainability and additional funding for recipients. Fifty-four percent of free clinics state they were able to obtain grants and contributions from new funders as a direct result of having received a Healthy Communities/Healthy America grant. An additional 12% report that the grant boosted their visibility in their communities and stimulated interest from other donors due to the AMA Foundation name.
Read specific stories:
In the news
Learn how our recipients are caring for those who have nowhere else to go:
- AMA Foundation awards $10,000 grant to Samaritan's Touch Care Center
, News-Sun, April 21, 2010 - Better eating for better living, Tyler Morning Telegraph, Mar. 13, 2010
- Doctor treats the uninsured, NBC Today Show, Nov. 12, 2009
- Free clinics fill medical void, USA Today, April 10, 2009
- On the front lines: Sister Roseanne M. Popp, MD, AMA Voice, Sept/Oct 2008
- Volunteer clinic network turns focus on patients, Modern Physician, April 7, 2008
- Ebenezer Medical Outreach celebrating fifth anniversary in Douglass Centre, The Herald-Dispatch, Jan. 16, 2008
- Free clinics get boost with new grants from AMA Foundation , AMA Voice, Sept 2007
- Grant enhances diabetes care at Parker clinic, Greater Media Newspapers, Jul. 19, 2007
- The uninsured plight is personal, Savannah Now, April 25, 2007
- I had no way to buy medicine, The Times West Virginian, Oct. 8, 2006
"This grant gave us the opportunity to move an entire community to open a free clinic. We have worked collaboratively with a whole new group of physicians and two other hospitals to make this happen. This is an entirely volunteer model, similar to our clinic."
—Ann Silverman Community Health Clinic, Doylestown, Pa.
2007 recipient
"It has truly been a privilege for our clinic to have participated in the AMA Foundation's program. Your grant has facilitated our clinic's ability to implement the Chronic Care Model to improve the health of our patients with diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia."
—Volunteers in Medicine Clinic of Bartholomew County, Columbus, Ind.
2007 recipient
"This grant gave us the opportunity to feel recognized and supported by our peers and created opportunities to expand our collaboration model and promotion beyond this small poor community...it reinforced our motto: 'Medicine for the poor does not have to be poor medicine.'"
—Open Door Health Center, Homestead, Fla.
2008 recipient
Free clinics always need both medical and non-medical volunteers. Find a free clinic in your area.
American Association of Diabetes Educators
Free health care clinics, unfortunate necessity, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Oct. 14, 2009
Jack B. McConnell, MD Award for Excellence in Volunteerism
Rediscover the Joy of Medicine While Caring for the Uninsured, AAFP News Now, Aug. 9, 2010
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - Cover the Uninsured
"I have nothing but admiration for our fellow physicians who donate time and expertise to provide health care, receiving little or no reimbursement, for uninsured populations. Having been out of clinical practice for several years, I feel that the financial support that I give is the least I can do to support these facilities. They truly represent the best of medicine."
—Richert E. Quinn MD, Greeley, Colo.
Physician Risk Manager, COPIC Insurance Company
Member, AMA House of Delegates for over 20 years
The Healthy Communities/Healthy America program is one of the few national funding opportunities devoted solely to free clinics. We could not offer these grants without generous support from organizations and individuals. Help us continue our commitment to free clinics and physician volunteers by making a gift to Healthy Communities/Healthy America.
