To the Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation (GBHCMF), a “healthy community” offers its residents access to a good education, quality medical and spiritual services, a safe environment, and an efficient and trustworthy local government. To accomplish these goals, GBHCMF invests in community organizations that provide or strengthen health care. GBHCMF carefully considers its Mission when investing in community programs and remains committed to the ideal of Christian service to those living in Georgia.

GBHCMF uses this application process to encourage the development of new ideas and to nurture the innovation of the nonprofit organizations in the region. Completed applications also serve to educate the Board of Trustees and staff of GBHCMF about the work of local organizations and are warmly received.

While GBHCMF has been blessed with the stewardship of significant monetary resources, these assets pale in comparison to the abundant needs in local communities. As a result, applications submitted for consideration are subjected to a very competitive process. This is not intended to deter potential applicants but to fully disclose that, more often than not, the number of worthy grant proposals received for each grant cycle exceeds the funding capability of GBHCMF.

Specific instructions for completing an application are included on the accompanying pages and are provided to encourage your ideas for making the State of Georgia a better place in which to live and work. Each of us plays a role in making Georgia a healthier community. We look forward to receiving your concepts, suggestions, program ideas, and recommendations. Thank you for your interest in the Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation.

Grants are made to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations.

It is preferred that the organization receiving a grant also be located in the state of Georgia. Grants are awarded for amounts determined by demonstrated need.

An organization eligible to apply for a grant is as follows:

• A tax-exempt organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is not a private foundation described in Section 509(a), which includes religious, charitable, educational, scientific and certain other organizations; or
• A private operating foundation described in Section 4940(d) of the Internal Revenue Code; or
• An organization described in Section 170(c)(1) (governmental entities) or Section 511(a)(2)(B) (state colleges and universities) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The applicant organization should ensure that the size of a grant from GBHCMF will not cause the organization to convert to a private foundation under certain Internal Revenue Service regulations.

Grants are not made to private foundations described in Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, private or publicly held corporations, limited liability corporations, partnerships, sub-chapter “S” corporations, or individuals. Funding requests for capital projects are not usually supported.

Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation accepts grants submitted through its electronic grant management system between July 15^th and September 15^th.

These deadlines are strictly observed. No exceptions will be made.

GBHCMF discourages contact between staff and applicants from September 16 through the point of final approval/disapproval of the application (generally 60 to 90 days). 

Applications must be submitted to our organization through our electronic grant management system.

The grant management system can be accessed here.

Please note that grant applications will only be accepted from July 15^th through September 15^th.

All applicants will be notified, via electronic communication, of the receipt and status of all applications submitted.

For those grant applications that are chosen to receive grant funds, electronic communication will be provided to direct the organization on the process of agreeing with and fulfilling the grant award terms. A Grant Award Agreement will be required from every entity that receives funding through our grant process. Please note that submitted Grant Award Agreements and all reporting responsibilities will be conducted through the electronic grant management system used to submit the organization’s grant application.  

A copy of the Grant Award Agreement is below:

This Award Agreement (hereafter referred to either as the “Award Agreement” or “Agreement”) is hereby effective between Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation (GBHCMF) and Organization Name, (hereafter referred to as “Grantee”).

The acceptance of this agreement from GBHCMF creates a legal obligation for the Grantee to use the provided funds in accordance with the purpose indicated on the Grantee’s original Grant Application and in accordance with this Agreement.

 The GBHCMF Board of Trustees has resolved to award a grant to Grantee subject to and in accordance with the terms of this Award Agreement, and representatives of Grantee acting as signatories to this Agreement attest to having the authority to commit Grantee to the terms and conditions of this Award Agreement.

The parties to this Award Agreement do hereby agree as follows:

1. Grant Award and Grant Term— GBHCMF hereby awards and Grantee hereby accepts a grant in the amount of $x.   GBHCMF may set aside 10% of the award amount to be retained by GBHCMF pending compliance of Grantee with Award Agreement requirements. During the term of this Agreement, GBHCMF may enact a suspension of grant funding in the event of an unresolved Grantee issue of performance, outcome, financial management, public perception or any other changed condition. Suspension of grant funding may not be appealed. If Grantee is unable to successfully resolve the issue(s) to the satisfaction of GBHCMF in a timely manner that resulted in a suspension of funding, GBHCMF may terminate this agreement, and the grantee shall be obligated to return all grant monies which have not been expended. The term of this agreement will be for one year or until grant funds have been fully expended, whichever is longer, commencing with the date of signature on the Agreement.

2. Grantee Tax Status–GBHCMF grant funds are available exclusively to organizations in documented and uninterrupted compliance as a qualifying organization, which is defined as:

• A tax-exempt organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is not a private foundation described in Section 509(a), which includes religious, charitable, educational, scientific and certain other organizations; or
• A private operating foundation described in Section 4940(d) of the Internal Revenue Code; or
• An organization described in Section 170(c)(1) (governmental entities) or Section 511(a)(2)(B) (state colleges and universities) of the Internal Revenue Code.

If the Grantee does not retain tax designation as indicated above throughout grant fulfillment, the Grantee agrees that this Grant Agreement shall terminate, and the Grantee shall be obligated to return all grant monies which have not been expended.

3. Use of Grant Award Funds–Grantee shall use all funds provided hereunder solely and only for the specific and limited purposes approved by the GBHCMF Board of Trustees authorizing the Grant Award. If, during the term hereof, Grantee wishes to utilize any portion of the Grant Award for purposes other than or different from those outlined in Grantee’s original Grant Application, Grantee shall submit a request to do so to GBHCMF in writing. GBHCMF shall not be obligated to agree to Grantee’s request in whole or part. Should the parties be unable to agree on the prospective use of the then-remaining funds contained in the Grant Award, GBHCMF shall have the right to terminate this Award Agreement and Grantee shall return all unused grant funds to GBHCMF.
4. Public Disclosure and Announcements–For support of the granted project, grantee is encouraged to reveal GBHCMF as a funding source. In all instances, Grantee shall obtain written GBHCMF authorization of the text of any public announcement(s) and/or promotional material(s) identifying GBHCMF prior to use, release or issuance. GBHCMF specifically reserves the right to require reasonable modifications to and approve all such material(s) prior to use, release or issuance. Once so approved, Grantee shall forward copies of any published accounts relating to the Grant Award to GBHCMF. Grantee hereby authorizes GBHCMF, at GBHCMF’s sole discretion, to publicly disclose the nature of this Agreement and the amount and purpose of the Grant Award to any other individual, the public, or other organization.

5. Quarterly Reporting Requirement–During the term of this Agreement, Grantee shall separately account for all funds advanced as a part of this Agreement. Grantee shall furnish GBHCMF with quarterly reports outlining grant activity in accordance with this Award Agreement for the term of the agreement. The first quarterly report will be due after the conclusion of the quarter in which the initial funds are received from GBHCMF. Quarterly reports are due to GBHCMF for one year or until grant funds have been fully expended, whichever is longer. Each quarterly report may include any reporting statistics that the Grantee would like to include in demonstrating program impact with the grant funds provided.  Reporting is to be provided for the program funded by the grant funds. Every quarterly report must include:

• Dollar balance of Grant Funds at the beginning of the quarter
• Dollar balance of Grant Funds at the end of the quarter
• Summary description and amount of grant fund expenditures during the quarter
• Number of Lives Affected by the Program During the Quarter
• Number of Volunteers Involved in the Program During the Quarter
• Estimated Dollar Value of the Program Service Provided During the Quarter
• Professions of Faith in Jesus Christ During the Quarter (if applicable)
• Baptisms During the Quarter (if applicable)
• Pregnancies Carried to Full Term During the Quarter (if applicable)

6. Release from Liability–Grantee hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold GBHCMF harmless from and against any claims or liability arising out of or related to Grantee’s operations and/or use of the proceeds of the Grant Award.

7. Insurance–Grantee agrees to maintain adequate liability and fiduciary insurance for the nature of organizational operations and for protection of grant funds provided.
8. Political Activity–No portion of the grant funds provided may be used for political or lobbying activity, or to support attempts to influence legislation.
9. Termination by Grantee— Grantee may terminate this Agreement for any reason following a 30- day written notice to GBHCMF. If Grantee exercises the right to terminate this Agreement, then all funds distributed to the Grantee must be returned to GBHCMF in full.

GBHCMF utilizes a formal review process.

This formal review process ensures that every grant application is thoroughly and fairly considered. The review process is comprehensive and involves several steps. A summary of the review process is provided in this section.

Step 1

A letter is sent to each applicant acknowledging receipt of the grant application. The grant application is reviewed for technical completeness to determine whether it includes all of the required materials, meets the minimum funding requirements, and falls within the geographic area. Grant applications that meet these requirements are accepted for review.

Generally, a grant application accepted for review is evaluated within 60 to 90 days of the application deadline.

Step 2

GBHCMF program staff review the grant applications recommended for consideration from the previous step. These applications are then submitted to the Grants Committee for consideration.

Step 3

The Grants Committee of the Board of Trustees reviews the grant applications referred from Step 2. The Grants Committee determines which grant applications will be recommended to the Board of Trustees.

Step 4

The Board of Trustees reviews the grant applications and Grants Committee recommendations. Every grant application approved by the Board of Trustees has a “conditional” status until a formal Award Agreement is negotiated. Each grant applicant is notified in writing of the decision of the Board of trustees. This decision is final.

Grant Application/Funding Timeline

July 15 – Sept. 15:  Grant Application Submission
Sept. 16 – Nov. 30:  GBHCMF Review Process
Dec. 1-15:  Conditional Approval and Denial Letters Mailed
January 1-15: Award Agreement Completion
Feb. 16-28:  Issuance of First Grant Payment