Because of the approximately 45 million Americans without health insurance, hundreds of communities nationwide have developed free clinics. These non-profit clinics bring together health care professionals and other community volunteers to offer free or low cost health care to low-income, uninsured and underinsured people. Funding is generally raised on the local level and there is little if any government funding or support.

While the AMA works to expand medical coverage at the advocacy level, the AMA Foundation supports these efforts by recognizing the extraordinary physicians and volunteers working at these free clinics. Through the Healthy Communities/Healthy America program, the AMA Foundation awards $10,000-$25,000 grants to physician-led free clinics.

The Healthy Communities/Healthy America grant program is sponsored by Pfizer Inc. 

Eligibility criteria

* This program follows the National Association of Free Clinics' definition of a free clinic.

Grants will be awarded to free clinics that:

• are requesting funds for specific projects, not for activities such as routine operations, maintenance or facility repairs;
• have regular and considerable operating hours (e.g. clinics that are open for more than just one day/week);
• have significant physician involvement (e.g. clinic was established by a physician, a physician serves as medical director or head administrator, or there are a substantial number of physician volunteers on the project); and
• provide medical services. (Note: clinics that provide both medical and dental services, but are requesting funds for a project that is dental care-specific will not be considered.)

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, and referral networks that coordinate care but do not provide direct care themselves (e.g. Project Access programs), are ineligible to apply. Past Healthy Communities/Healthy America grant recipients are ineligible to apply for this 2008 program.  No grants to individuals; fundraising activities or any sort including endowment or other campaigns and grant preparation; debt reduction, deficits, or previous obligations; political projects or lobbying; or religious activities.

Grant amounts and timelines

In 2008, the Foundation plans to award up to 20 grants of $10,000-$25,000 in July.  The grant period and project duration is up to one year from the date of the grant check.  The deadline to apply for the 2008 program has already passed; applications for the 2009 program will be available on this website around November 2008.

Congratulations to our 2007 Healthy Communities/Healthy America recipients:

Community HealthCare Center Inc.
Savannah, Ga.
Grant Amount: $25,000

The Free Clinic of Doylestown
Doylestown, Pa.
Grant Amount: $15,000

Greenville Free Medical Clinic
Greenville, S.C.
Grant Amount: $15,000

Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic
Lafayette, La.
Grant Amount: $25,000

Parker Family Health Center
Red Bank, N.J.
Grant Amount: $25,000

Partners for Healing
Tullahoma, Tenn.
Grant Amount: $25,000

Traverse Health Clinic and Coalition
Traverse City, Mich.
Grant Amount: $25,000

Volunteers in Medicine Clinic of Bartholomew County
Columbus, Ind.
Grant Amount: $25,000

Volunteers in Medicine Clinic of the Cascades
Bend, Ore.
Grant Amount: $20,000

West Virginia Health Right Inc.
Charleston, W.Va.
Grant Amount: $25,000

Instructions for 2007 Healthy Communities/Healthy America grant recipients

Grant recipients must submit a final report form (Word, 79KB). All forms should be sent to the AMA Foundation office.