Rural Health Programs

The cycle for the Responsive Grant Program is now closed. The next cycle will open in the Spring of 2012.

Health System Resources Grant Program, Washington State Department of Health (state) This program has been cancelled for the 2011-2013 biennium due to budget constraints.  For more information see: Health Systems Resources grant program.

Washington Health Foundation Grant (private)
The Washington Health Foundation will not be offering Healthiest State grants in 2011 as part of its plan to assure its future fiscal well-being. During this time we will continue to lead the Campaign to Make Washington the Healthiest State in the Nation. However there are other grant programs available. We hope to reinstate our Grant Program in 2012-2013.

HRSA Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program - 3 years (federal). The deadline for submission this year was November 22, 2011.  The next application cycle will be near the end of 2014.  Watch for announcements.

HRSA Rural Health Network Development Programs -   3 years (federal)  This program encourages creative health care delivery systems in rural communities that lack essential care services. The emphasis of the grant programs is on service delivery through collaboration. The grantee must form a consortium with at least two additional partners. This grant cycle is currently not open. The next opening will be in the summer of 2014.

HRSA Network Development Planning Grant Program - 1 year (federal)
This is a one-year program offered by the Office of Rural Health Policy. The grant focuses on the creation of an integrated health care network. These funds can be used, for example, for conducing needs assessments, hiring a HIT consultant to determine HIT readiness, developing an economic impact plan or developing a strategic and business plan.

The application window for this year is now closed.  Watch for announcements about next year's grant.

HRSA Financial Aid for Health Professions Students & Practitioners (federal)
Health professions financial aid

USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program (federal)
These grants are intended to reduce the effects of low population density and a lack of economic resources. They use high speed transmission to bring education and health services to rural communities. Grant should be focused on “end-users,” students and patients, not teachers, doctors or institutional administrators. Rural users include hospitals and primary care centers. Schools and other rural community centers are also included. These projects should improve the delivery of health care benefits into rural areas by linking medical providers and patients who are not at the same facility.

Details, tips on writing a solid proposal, worksheets, etc. can be found at : USDA Distance Learning & Telemedicine

State Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (federal dollars passed through the state) Washington State is participating in this program to promote the objectives of the Critical Access Hospital Program: support quality and performance improvement, development of rural hospital networks, integration with rural emergency medical systems, and promoting telehealth and statewide connectivity. For more information see: Flex Options.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (private) For more information see: Robert Wood Johnson.

Kellogg Foundation (private) For more information see Kellogg Foundation.

Kresge Foundation (private) awards challenge grants for capital projects, including building construction and renovation, and for the purchase of major equipment and real estate. No geographic restrictions. For more information see: Kresge Foundation or call 248-643-9630

Ben B. Cheney Foundation (private) For more information see: Ben B. Cheney Foundation or call 253-572-2442.

Milbank Memorial Fund For more information see: Milbank Fund or call (212) 355-8400.

Murdock Foundation (private) For more information see: Murdock Foundation or call 360-694-8415 or 503-285-4086.

Inland Northwest Community Foundation (Private, Spokane only) For more information see: Inland Northwest Community Foundation or call 509-624-2606

Washington Academy of Family Physicians Foundation (private)  The Foundation's mission is to fund worthy projects that advance the practice of Family Medicine and ultimately benefit the patients served by the Washington State family physicians.  Please see WAFP Foundation.

Washington Dental Service Foundation (private) For more information see: WDS Foundation or call 206-528-2331.

Area United Way Programs For more information see: United Way.

The Medina Foundation provides various types of funding including general operating support, capacity building, social enterprise and grants for start-ups, projects and programs. For more information see: Medina Foundation.

Washington State Emergency Medical System (EMS) Grant Program (state) Available through Regional EMS Councils. For more information see: EMS Grant Program or call 360-236-2828.

The National Rural Funders Collaborative
Is a partnership of national and regional funders, grass roots practitioners, policymakers, and the private sector to leverage $100 million over the next 10 years for the purpose of expanding resources for communities and families in rural areas facing persistent poverty. In addition to its work to leverage new and sustainable resources for rural areas, NRFC is working to develop a learning network in which rural stakeholders can improve the viability and livability of rural areas through identification of best practices in the areas of impact, leverage and policy change. For more information see: National Rural Funders.

The Beaumont Foundation of America
Grants state-of-the-art, wireless laptop computers and technology equipment to schools and community groups serving low-income populations and individuals, as well as community and individual pilot project grants. For more information see: Beaumont Foundation

Loans and Subsidies  Back to Top

Washington Health Care Facilities Authority
Provides access to capital funding for modern, well-equipped reasonably priced health care facilities. For more information see: Washington Health Care Facilities Authority.

Universal Service Fund
Provides subsidies for rural telecommunication services. For more information see: Universal Services Fund.

Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council
Assists in developing community infrastructure.  May construct, enlarge, or improve community facilities for health care, public safety, and public service. See IACC.

U.S. Department of Commerce Technology Opportunities Program
has programs targeted for telecommunications and information infrastructure assistance. For more information see: National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Has a variety of programs targeted to rural areas. For more information see: USDA Rural Development or call Debbie Harper at 360-704-7764 in Olympia, Washington.

Washington State Department of Commerce
Has a variety of programs targeted to rural areas. For more information see: Washington State Department of Commerce.

 Grants and  Enhanced Reimbursement  Back to Top

Rural Health Clinics (RHC)
Must be located in communities that are both » rural» and » underserved» . They may be proprietary or not-for-profit. They must meet certain federal requirements and be certified by Medicare. They receive enhanced reimbursement for Medicare and Medicaid patients, but no grants or subsidies. For more information see: Rural Health Clinics.

Washington State Health Care Authority Community Health Services
Provides grants to support primary health care services or dental services. Clinics must meet certain criteria. For more information see: Community Health Services or call 360-923-2777.

Medicare 10 Percent Rural Bonus
Under this program Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services gives a 10 percent bonus payment for Medicare-reimbursable physician professional services (excludes technical or diagnostic services) provided within the geographic health professional shortage area. The Office of Community and Rural Health 360-236-2800 has maps of geographic health professional shortage areas or can tell you the process for determining whether your area might qualify as a shortage area. For more information see: Medicare Rural Bonus.  (NOTE: This program is not available to practices certified as Rural Health Clinics.)

Rural Health Assistance  Back to Top

Washington State J-1 Visa Waiver Program
Provides up to 30 visa waivers per year to allow foreign trained physicians to work in underserved areas of Washington State. For more information see: J-1 Visa Waiver.

State Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program
Provides scholarship and student loan forgiveness in exchange for a service commitment in an underserved area in Washington State. For more information see: Loan Repayment & Scholarship or call Chris Wilkins 360-236-2817.

Volunteer Retired Providers
(MD/DO, ARNP, PA, Dental Hygiene, DDS and Pharmacists) are supported by having their malpractice insurance and license fee paid. For more information contact the WWAHEC at 206-441-7137 or see: Volunteer Retired Providers

National Health Service Corps
Health care professionals are available for service in underserved areas. For more information see: National Health Service Corps.

Produced by WA State Department of Health Office of Community Health Systems/Rural Health (OCHS/RH). Please see OCHS/RH web page to obtain updates as they are made.