Healthy Petaluma General Operating Support Grant Program FAQ

1. What is the purpose of the General Operating Support Grant Program?

The General Operating Support Grant Program supports the overall health, sustainability, and capacity of nonprofits and organizations with an equivalent tax-exempt status serving the Healthy Petaluma community. By providing unrestricted funding, we aim to strengthen organizations’ operations, help them adapt to challenges, and enhance their impact on community health and well-being. 

2. Who is eligible to apply for this grant?

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, or be an organization with an equivalent tax-exempt status. To qualify, organizations must: 

• Provide significant, targeted services to residents within Healthy Petaluma’s service area. The Healthy Petaluma service area can be reviewed by reviewing the Boundary Map as well as a more detailed Boundary Map.

• Be aligned in their work with Healthy Petaluma’s strategic plan and priority areas. 

• Focus on improving health outcomes in the community or addressing the conditions necessary for overall well-being. 

• Use relevant indicators of community health and well-being to assess performance and impact. 

3. How much funding can my organization request?

Applicants may request between $10,000 and $30,000 in unrestricted funds. We encourage you to request an amount that reflects your organization’s size, budget, staffing, volunteer capacity, and community impact. Healthy Petaluma supports a wide range of organizations with varying capacities. Given a limited grantmaking budget and a desire to fund as many qualified applicants as possible, we ask that you carefully consider your organization’s needs and broader community context when determining your request. Awarded grant amounts may differ from the requested figure.

4. What can the grant funds be used for?

As unrestricted funding, the grant may be used at the organization’s discretion to support:  

• Operational expenses  

• Capacity-building efforts  

• Strategic planning and infrastructure improvements  

• Program development and delivery  

• Other initiatives that strengthen the organization’s effectiveness and long-term sustainability 

5. What criteria will be used to evaluate applications?

Applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria: 

A. Alignment with Healthy Petaluma’s Funding Priorities

• Does the organization provide significant, targeted services to residents within Healthy Petaluma’s service area? 

• Is the organization focused on improving health outcomes in the community or addressing the conditions necessary for overall well-being? 

• Does the organization use relevant indicators of community health and well-being to measure its performance or impact? 

• Does the organization’s work align with Healthy Petaluma’s strategic plan and priority areas? 

B. Alignment with the Vital Conditions Framework for Equity.

• The Healthy Petaluma Board has approved the use of the Rippel Foundation’s Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being as an equity lens to inform grantmaking decisions. This is a framework that describes the conditions that are essential to health and well-being. More information about the Vital Conditions can be found in the Well-Being Portfolio.

C. Alignment Between Requested Funds and Organizational Needs

• Does the funding request clearly address the organization’s needs, align with its budget and staff capacity, and enhance its impact in the community?   

D. Organizational Readiness

• Has the applicant demonstrated readiness to effectively implement the proposed work? Considerations may include organizational history, capacity-building goals, and any significant changes or transitions within the organization. 

• Does the organization demonstrate fiscal health and long-term financial sustainability? 

E. Community Engagement and Responsiveness

• Does the organization engage with the community it serves in meaningful ways (e.g., incorporating community input, fostering partnerships, or reflecting community voices in its work)? 

• Is the organization responsive to the evolving needs and priorities of the community? 

F. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Does the organization demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its programs, leadership, staffing, and outreach? 

• Are services designed to address disparities and reach historically underserved or marginalized populations? 

G. Potential for Impact

• Is the organization’s work likely to result in measurable improvements in community health and well-being? 

• Does the organization have a clear plan for how it will assess and share the outcomes of its work? 

H. Collaboration and Partnerships

• Does the organization collaborate with other local organizations, government agencies, or community groups to maximize impact? 

• Is there evidence that the organization values partnership and coordination rather than working in isolation?  

6. When is the application deadline, and when will funding decisions be made?

The application period opens in July of 2026. Funding decisions will be communicated and funds disbursed in November 2026.  

7. How can I apply for the grant?

Applications can be submitted through our online portal during the application period. We encourage applicants to review the application guidelines and criteria carefully before applying. 

8. Can I discuss my application with Healthy Petaluma before applying?

We encourage applicants to reach out with any questions about the application or process. However, staff will not be able to assist organizations in advising on application competitiveness. 

For assistance with the application process or questions about the application, please contact Matthew Ingram, Director of Community Impact at mingram@healthypetaluma.org or Ben Spierings, Program Officer, at bspierings@healthypetaluma.org for assistance. 

9. Is there an information session available to learn more about the grant program?

Healthy Petaluma will host an optional information session prior to the application deadline. This session will provide an overview of the grant program and offer an opportunity to ask questions about the process.

10. What reporting or evaluation requirements are expected of grantees?

At the end of the grant cycle, we will invite grantees to attend a feedback session to share their experiences with our grant program. A final grant report will be required, including qualitative and quantitative elements. If requested by Healthy Petaluma staff, grantees are expected to participate in a check-in meeting during or following the funding period. 

11. Who can I contact for additional information?

Please contact Matthew Ingram, Director of Community Impact at mingram@healthypetaluma.org or Ben Spierings, Community Health Program Manager at bspierings@healthypetaluma.org for additional information.  

12. Can my organization receive multiple grants per year?

Each organization is eligible for only one General Operating Support Grant per fiscal year (July through June). However, exceptions may apply in cases involving fiscal sponsorship. For instance, Healthy Petaluma may fund both a fiscal sponsor organization and one of its fiscally sponsored projects during the same grant cycle or fiscal year. In these cases, each grant would support distinct work, with one directed toward the fiscal sponsor’s operations and the other toward the sponsored project’s activities.

13. Does Healthy Petaluma fund new organizations?

Recently founded organizations are eligible to apply as long as they meet the eligibility criteria and demonstrate clear organizational readiness, fiscal responsibility, and alignment with Healthy Petaluma’s funding priorities. 

14. Can grant funds be used for facilities improvements or equipment?

Unrestricted funds may be used for facilities improvements, equipment purchases, or other organizational needs, as long as they align with the goals outlined in your application and support the health and sustainability of your organization. 

15. What if my organization serves multiple regions, including but not limited to Healthy Petaluma’s service area?

We understand many organizations serve broader regions. However, to be eligible for this grant, you must demonstrate how your work directly benefits residents within Healthy Petaluma’s service area. 

16. How long is the grant period?

The grant period is 12 months from the award date. Specific dates and details will be outlined in the grant agreement provided to funded organizations. 

17. What are Healthy Petaluma’s expectations for communication during the grant period?

We value open communication with our grantees. While formal reporting requirements are minimal, we appreciate periodic updates and encourage you to reach out with successes, challenges, or questions at any time during the grant period. 

18. Can I apply if my organization previously received funding from Healthy Petaluma?

Yes, previous grantees are also welcome to apply, provided they have fulfilled all past grant requirements and reporting obligations, and the funding fell in a previous fiscal year.   

19. What does "significant services" in your service area mean in terms of eligibility?

"Significant services" refers to programs or activities that have a substantial and meaningful impact on residents within Healthy Petaluma’s service area. This could include the number of individuals served, the depth of services provided, and the organization’s engagement within the community. 

20. Can for-profit organizations apply for this grant?

No. This grant program is intended for nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status or those with a qualified fiscal sponsor. Public agencies, including school districts and other local government entities that provide services within Healthy Petaluma's service area, are also eligible to apply.

21. How will I be notified if my application is approved or declined?

All applicants will be notified of funding decisions via email by the decision notification date. If your application is declined, we are happy to provide feedback upon request.  

22. Can the grant funds be used to pay off existing debt?

No, grant funds are not intended to be used for debt reduction or reimbursement of expenses already incurred, unless an exception is granted.  

23. Is there a preference for certain types of organizations or programs?

Healthy Petaluma does not favor any specific type of organization. Our focus is on supporting organizations that are aligned with our criteria as described above, demonstrate readiness and capacity, and provide impactful services within Healthy Petaluma’s service area (see this page for a map of Healthy Petaluma’s service area). 

24. Can my organization receive both a General Operating Support Grant and a Sponsorship in the same year?

In some cases organizations may receive both; for example, if a GOS grantee also hosts a community event that offers meaningful visibility and engagement opportunities for Healthy Petaluma, or if there is a unique initiative that closely aligns with our strategic priorities. In these situations, Sponsorship requests will be evaluated carefully alongside existing grant support. 

25. Does Healthy Petaluma have two cycles of General Operating Support grants during fiscal year 2026 – 2027?

No. All budgeted GOS funds will be disbursed according to the above-described timeline in the Fall of 2026.

26. What are the Social Determinants of Health?

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. A more complete list of these conditions, you can use this link. Please also refer to the Rippel Foundation’s Vital Conditions Framework for additional context.

27. What if I have additional information that does not fit in the application / text box?

Applicants can share additional information in the Optional / Supporting Documents section of the application.