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Advancing Community wellness in the Coachella Valley

Grants Program

Desert Healthcare District (DHCD) Grants Program

The Desert Healthcare District's grant program supports collaborative processes and invests in the services and programs of local nonprofits, health service providers, and public agencies that align with and advance the District’s mission, vision, and the implementation of the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan.

Please review the following three items before proceeding to the DHCD grantmaking process

In accordance with Desert Healthcare District's mission and strategic plan, it is the policy of the Desert Healthcare District to provide guidelines for grants and mini-grants to support health and wellness programs/projects for the benefit of the District residents and in alignment with the California Health and Safety Code requirements. Each year the Board of Directors will allocate a budget for both grants and mini-grants. Click here to read the complete policy.

Under California law (Labor Code sections 1720 et seq. and 1770 et seq.), any work paid for in whole or in part with public funds, including funds from the Desert Healthcare District, may require that workers be paid at the prevailing wage rates. Prevailing wage is essentially a minimum wage for various classifications of construction workers. The rule applies to construction, alteration, demolition, installation, repair, or maintenance of property if the total value of the work is $1,000 or more. These rates are often higher than standard wages, and the additional cost should be factored into the project budget. Grant recipients may be liable for back wages and other costs if they fail to inform their contractors of this requirement, and therefore any contracts for such work must state that the prevailing wage rates apply. More information is available from the Department of Industrial Relations. https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/FAQ_PrevailingWage.html

California Assembly Bill 2019 (AB 2019) became law as of January 1, 2019. This law, in particular, Section 3 - Section 32139 of the Health and Safety Code 9.5 states: A prohibition against individual meetings regarding grant applications between a grant applicant and a district board member, officer, or staff outside of the district's established grant awards process. A district's established grant awards process may include the provision of technical assistance to grant applicants, upon request, by district grant program staff.

DHCD Grantmaking

The Desert Healthcare District's mission can be achieved in part by providing grant resources to projects and programs which align with our grant guidelines. We respond to grant requests initiated by eligible organizations through our online application process. We occasionally use a Request for Proposal (RFP) to target grants for programs and projects that best support the District’s goals.

The Desert Healthcare District's Board-approved and established grant awards process begins with an initial application. Once the initial application has been submitted, staff, under the law (AB-2019), can provide technical assistance to the grantee.

Who is Eligible?

  • 501(c)(3) Nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, a governmental, tribal, or public entity, including, healthcare service providers such as federally qualified health centers, and local clinics.

Who is not eligible?

  • Individuals
  • Endowment Campaigns
  • Retirement of debt
  • Annual campaigns, fundraising events or expenses related to fundraising
  • Programs that proselytize or promote any religion or sect, or deny services to potential beneficiaries based upon religious beliefs
  • Political campaigns or other partisan political activities, including lobbying public officials
  • Unfunded government mandates
  • Replacement funds to allow funding to be shifted to other programs or budget areas prior to grant approval
  • Organizations that discriminate against certain groups or individuals in the delivery of programs and services based on race, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, or disability

Requirements

  • Organizations must directly serve residents of the Desert Healthcare District
  • Organizations must address one of the seven goals in the Desert Healthcare District's 2021-2026 Strategic Plan
  • Except for mini grant recipients, organizations must have current audited financial statements