Mercy C.A.R.E.S. for you

How do I apply for a Mercy C.A.R.E.S Community Reinvestment Grant?

1. Complete a short questionnaire to find out if your request meets our funding criteria.
2. Submit a letter of intent (LOI) in 12-point font (no longer than 2 pages) with this info:
   • Project name and 1- to 2-line description
   • Contact info for point of contact
   • Project description and/or health focus area your group addresses
   • Community need and/or gap in funding
   • Target group
   • Project goals
   • Funding amount you’re asking for

   This is the starting point for all requests. It doesn't matter if you applied for or received a grant in the past. Our committee will review your LOI and email you the results. We may ask for more info, if we need it.

3. Discuss your project with the community reinvestment grants team, if we ask for a meeting.
4. Complete the full application, if we invite you to do so (after approving your LOI).  

We’ll present recommendations to the review committee. In early June, we’ll let you know the funding decision.

What is the eligibility criteria?

Interested groups can find out if they qualify by taking our short questionnaire.

What type of grants are available?

We award grants for these types of support:

• Programmatic — grants that create, expand or enhance effective programs ​
• Operating — grants that support the group’s mission and seek to build the framework to thrive in the long term​

Sometimes we’ll consider capital support for groups that seek immediate improvements to continue or expand services. Such grants are rare. We generally limit them to current or past grantees. 

What is the grant range for requests?

There is no set range. Have you received a grant before? If so, an amount in that same range is a good starting point. But most grants fall between $20K and $500K.

What are the geographic areas of focus?

We accept funding requests from groups in (or those serving) people who live in Arizona.

What should our LOI include?

We believe you can spend your time best serving your mission rather than creating, formatting and overthinking grant applications. If we invite you to complete a full application, you’ll need to provide more info about your plans. 

For now, provide a few paragraphs (12-point font, no longer than two pages) to help us understand your request. Be sure to address these points:

• Project name and 1- to 2-line description
• Contact info for point of contact
• Project description and/or health focus area your group addresses 
• Community need and/or gap in funding 
• Target group 
• Project goals 
• Funding amount you’re asking for

When do we accept applications for funding requests?

Once a year.

2023 Grant Funding Timeline

• LOI opens: December 12, 2022
• LOI closes: January 20, 2023
• Groups receive notice of LOI review by email: February 10, 2023
• Meet with groups (if we ask for a meeting): February 15 to March 31, 2023
• Application deadline: April 28, 2023
• Funding decision: June 5, 2023

If my group received a grant last year, can we apply for another one this year?

Generally, we should receive and review your final report before your group can apply for a new grant. Email us for more info. 

My group delivers services in more than one of your focus areas. Can I submit more than one LOI?

No. Our guidelines state that we'll fund a group no more than once in a calendar year. You’ll need to decide which area is your highest priority for funding and delivers the largest community impact.

Does Mercy C.A.R.E.S. provide multi-year grants?

As a general rule, we don’t make multi-year grants through this process.

Will Mercy C.A.R.E.S. fund partial amounts of the full amount we ask for?

Yes. We'll consider offering a grant in an amount less than you asked for.

What is the reporting requirement for a grant?

Grantees have to submit a midyear and final report of activities. This includes details about the use of all grant funds. We may also ask for touch-base meetings to check your progress.

Who can I contact with more questions?

Just email us anytime.