University of Vermont Medical Center's Community Health Investment Fund (CHIF) currently invests over $1 million annually in programs and initiatives through a competitive application process. Investments help address the top health priorities identified in the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). University of Vermont Medical Center has been fortunate to receive a generous endowment from the Vermont Health Foundation dating back to 2011.
The Fund is overseen by UVM Medical Center's Community Health Investment Committee (CHIC). The 15-member committee includes seven community members appointed by the Vermont Health Foundation (VHF) and eight UVM Health-affiliated staff. The UVM Health Office of Culture, Experience and Community Health manages the day-to-day operations of the fund and supports community members in the application, reporting and award processes.
The Critical Need (formerly know as Emerging Need) funding application will be available September 8, 2026 and remain open until all funds are exhausted. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and should be submitted no later than the 15th of each month for review the following month.
Note: Regardless of submission date, application review timing cannot always be
guaranteed. We will do our best to review your application as soon as possible.
Community Health Investment Fund Reports:
The Vermont Health Foundation (VHF) was established in 1983 to manage assets for the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont (MCHV) and oversee charitable donations.
When MCHV merged with the Fanny Allen Hospital and the University Health Center in 1995, VHF became a parent organization of UVM Medical Center, helping appoint board members and approve changes to its mission and bylaws. With $13 million in assets, VHF shifted to funding community organizations that aligned with its mission and that of UVM Medical Center.
In 2000, VHF and UVM Medical Center signed an agreement to better coordinate their grant-making efforts. However, full integration of community investments remained a challenge.
By 2011, VHF transferred its assets to UVM Medical Center under a new agreement, leading to the creation of the Community Health Investment Committee. This committee, which includes former VHF board members, ensures that community needs are met, VHF’s history is honored and all investments are accountable.
Contact: CommunityHealth@uvmhealth.org
Applicants for funding must be a federally recognized nonprofit or government organization. Additionally, projects must support communities in UVM Medical Center’s primary Health Service Area of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties. Additional criteria reviewed as part of our competitive process include:
- Alignment with the CHNA top health priorities
- Support and inclusion of populations most impacted by health disparities as defined by the CHNA
- Projects with clear goal(s) and measurable impact
- Inclusion of goals toward financial sustainability
- Projects that utilize collaboration
- Projects that reference evidence-based or notable successful models, or demonstrate unique, innovative ways to address community needs
- Prioritization of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts
- Demonstration of an organization’s mission alignment with project parameters
Program Investment:
- Supports projects or programs within an organization
- Initiatives are often ongoing and delivered weekly, monthly or seasonal
- Often used for fully imagined pilot projects or scaling up existing successful initiatives
- Minimum annual request $10,000. Maximum annual request $60,000
- Multi-year, renewable up to three years contingent on committee review
Collective Impact Investment:
Planning (max $40,000)
- One year of funding with the option to apply for Implementation Grant
- Often used to understand systems, bring community partners together, and assess areas of need
- Intent must be to address systems-level change, policy change
- Education and understanding of Collective Impact Model required
Implementation (max $100,000)
- Often used to implement large systems level changes, develop new systems, develop policy
- Funding match of 50 percent required
(in-kind, cash, or combination) - Optional multi-year, renewable up to three years based on committee review
- Budget needs to include a portion towards evaluation, data collection, impact measures
Critical Need Investment
Often seen as a last resort once other funding sources have been explored
Intended for A) one-time purchases of equipment or supplies to support programs meeting basic, essential needs, or essential training. (Note: ongoing continuing education will not be funded); B) Time bound bridge funding with a clear secured commitment from another source after requested funds are exhausted; C) One- time event(s) that offer opportunities for prevention and early intervention; or D) Pilot projects that address a critical need. Pilot projects must have diverse revenue sources.
Must be “critical” in nature. See requirements within the application for more details.
Requests often range from $5,000 - $25,000, however there is no request minimum or maximum.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis based on funding availability
Reach out to Justin Graham at Justin.Graham@uvmhealth.org for more information.