The Foundation and Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital are seeking Letters of Interest from organizations, coalitions, and community-based groups to design and implement a multi-sector collaboration that addresses systems change within the social and environmental factors that shape our health (also known as the social determinants of health).
Healthy People 2025 will fund up to 4 multi-sector collaborations, issuing grants of up to $250,000 to each. Successful collaborations will advance racially equitable health outcomes in the South St. Petersburg zip codes of 33705, 33711, and 33712. The goal is to develop actionable, sustainable, and evidence-based solutions that drive measurable improvements in health outcomes while addressing systemic inequities.
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Key Definitions
Social Determinants of Health: More than access to medical care alone, our health is shaped by the conditions and environments in which we live, work, learn, and play. It's shaped by the neighborhoods we live in, the quality of the jobs and educational opportunities we have access to, the strength of our social networks and supports, and so much more. Together, these factors are known as the social determinants of health - and they can be responsible for up to 80% of our health outcomes down the road.
Multi-Sector Collaborations: A multi-sector collaboration is a partnership made up of government; non-profit, private, and public organizations; community groups; and/or individual community members working together to solve problems that affect the whole community. At least two different sectors must be represented in each collaboration. So, if you're a nonprofit, we ask that you reach outside the nonprofit sector and partner with the government, business community, faith community, or neighborhood-level organizations, etc. Basically, no one can change systems in isolation. We need partners to do this work, both in our sector and beyond.
Systems Change: Social Innovation Generation defines systems change as “shifting the conditions that are holding the problem in place.” Have you ever bumped up against a persistent problem in your work or life and thought, hmm… things would be better if we had this policy in place… or if people valued XYZ differently… or if these people had a greater voice in the process. Each of those ideas could be considered examples of potential interventions that could help change systems - and that's what this funding opportunity is about. Systems change involves identifying a need or problem, figuring out why it exists, and working to change that.
RELATED RESOURCES
Water of Systems Change Article
Social Determinants of Health Website
South St. Pete Health Equity Profile
PowerPoint Presentation from Opening Event
Supporting Videos
General Fluxx Tutorial
Healthy People Fluxx Tutorial
Recording of Opening Event
TIMELINE AT A GLANCE
Request for Letters-of-Interest Release Date
April 23,2025
Letters-of-Interest Due Date
May 27, 2025, 5 PM EST
Notification of Invitation to Apply
Week of June 23, 2025
Full Application Due Date
August 29, 2025, 5 PM
Award Notifications
Week of October 6, 2025
Community Questions
Q. Can a partner submit letters of support to multiple applicants
A. Yes.
Q. It is my experience that regulation and compliance enforces movement and collaboration. What efforts are being done upstream with state and federal officials and regulators?
A. We are a place-based organization focusing efforts on South St. Petersburg.
Q. For the Invitation to Submit, will you be notifying all members of the multi-sector collaboration, or just the lead applicant?
A. The lead applicant.
Q. Are there HIPAA rules in this grant?
A. Please, follow all rules and regulations guiding your industry standards and code of ethics.
Q. What are the minimum amount of partners are you requiring?
A. Minimum of two organizations representing two different sectors are required to partner.
Q. Are there specific Pinellas zip codes that are primary focus for the grant or is the scope county wide?
A. Yes, they are 33705, 33711, and 33712.
Q. What are some examples of desirable measurable outcomes for transformative change?
A. Please, refer to this article, https://www.fsg.org/resource/water_of_systems_change/.
Q. Are you looking at one letter of commitment that includes all partners? Or individual letters of commitment no more than 2 pages, each?
A. One letter per partner. Each letter is no longer than 2 pages.
Q. Are you only looking for projects that already exist since you want to see resources already committed to it?
A. The project may be a new project with partners coming together to project resources they may contribute should funding from the Foundation be awarded. It may also be an existing project with resources already allocated and accessed.
Q. Are Agency Fiscal fees permissible?
A. If invited to apply for the full grant, the budget allows for up to 10% of overall budget to support indirect administrative costs.
Q. What is the % of organization budget the grant may represent?
A. There is no designated percentage.
Q. What does the foundation use to measure economic stability?
A. Economic stability is measured in various ways such as employment rate, job placement, job retention, economic mobility, housing burden/affordability, wage, etc.
Q. The Hispanic community is integrated into the 3 target zip codes with an even distribution of households. They have similar need as their neighbors but do not participate in programs that are design to address the greater communities needs because of several factors… the main one is a deep distrust. They may know of the programs but will not apply…. HOW ARE YOU ADDRESSING THIS?
A. This RLOI is open to multi-sector collaborations who seek to address this issue.
Q. What are the key barriers to males being involved with reversing health inequalities?
A. Please, find information regarding your question in the landscape scans FHSP commissioned as well as the South St Pete Equity Profile. You may find them here: https://healthystpete.foundation/data-resources/
Q. Most doctors will not treat multiple issues during an appointment, which could identify the root cause of the person’s illness, how can this be handled?
A. This may be mitigated through systems change efforts.
Q. If you receive proposals for less than 250k will you fund more than 4 proposals?
A. If this should arise, we will give consideration to this.
Q. We have projects in Gulfport that can serve as case studies and also include S St Pete communities, organizations, and/ or residents, can you help us find partners?
A. Not during a cone of silence.
Q. Is there a specific demographic?
A. Residents residing in 33705, 33711, and 33712.
Q. Can this be an existing project/ initiative? Or does this need to be a new/expanded program?
A. Existing and new projects will be considered.
Q. Is there an accessible list of what has been specifically funded in the past with this grant opportunity or is the grant new this year?
A. This is a new grant opportunity.
Q. Budget question…Can funding used for salaries to pay employees or contractors to support the project be used as resources committed?
A. Yes.
Q. Are you working with the local Harm Reduction Organizations to provide access and education that will prevent and reduce the transmission of disease. Including deaths related to.
A. Not at this time.
Q. Does the lead applicant have to be located in the target zip codes? Or can they qualify if the work/project is in those zip codes?
A. No, the lead applicant does not have to be located in the priority zip codes. Yes, if the work/project is in the priority zip codes.
Q. How can we possibly change any system without focusing on the mental models? All other conditions are merely pathways to that one change.
A. We seek to create opportunities that will yield changes toward broader systems change. This will likely occur incrementally. This article speaks to this: https://www.fsg.org/resource/water_of_systems_change/.
Q. How would you suggest a service provider collaborate with other organizations within the suggested zip codes that may not be aware or familiar with services being provided that may help expand community efforts that are in place? (Are there collaborative meetings, service presentations, outreach opportunities, etc)
A. FHSP is not facilitating meetings at this time. Organizations must self-initiate partnership opportunities prior to submission of a Letter of Interest.
Q. Will potential funders be the ones who determine (suggest) their multi-sector collaborators OR will the collaboration be determined by the 4 awardees selected?
A. FHSP and Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital will review each Letter of Interest that meets eligibility criteria and from those submissions, select four multi-sector collaborations to apply for funding.
Q. What resources are there for the elderly that are lonely?
A. Please, reach out to 211 to find out resources available.
Q. Can you please speak to the probability of continuation funding for these initiatives? It seems the intent of the grant is to add initiatives and develop collaboration outside our current operations and programming, which takes time and resources. From a sustainability perspective, can we anticipate continuation will be an option in future grant cycles?
A. Continuation of funding will be dependent on several factors; however, FHSP is committed to supporting efforts that drive impact and advance equitable health outcomes.
Q. Our year will be June 20th 2025. Does that count us out?
A. Yes, as a lead applicant; however, you may participate as a partner in a collaborative(s).
Q. If you already have an MOU in place with partners can we upload the MOU as the supporting document?
A. Yes, as long as it fully answers the question regarding roles, responsibilities, and resources of collaborative partners.
Q. Can you give examples of what you consider sectors in the community that might make up a multi sector collaboration?
A. Government, faith-based organizations, residential/neighborhood organizations, nonprofits, healthcare, business, education.
Q. For the sake of multi-collabs, will you share who is in the audience?
A. No, we are committed to maintaining data privacy.
Q. Please repeat the requirements for LOI from slide titled “3 Major Components”. did you stated at least 2 components need to be addressed in LOI?
A. 1. Social Determinants of Health; 2. Systems Change; 3. Multi-sector Collaboration
Q. I would like to know more about the reporting process for this grant opportunity.
A. Reporting will be required every 6 months during the grant period and 1 month after the grant period ends. Reporting is comprised of both programmatic and financial information.
Q. is there an easy to recognize example of a recent successful “system change” that we’d be familiar with?
A. The St. Petersburg CALL program in partnership with St. Pete Police Department, City of St. Pete, and Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services.
Q. Can for profit agencies be included in the collaborations in grant applications?
A. Yes, but cannot serve as the lead applicant.
Q. Do you recommend drafting the RLOI in a separate document before pasting into the document so it’s not lost?
A. Yes.
Q. Is there a match required?
A. The RLOI seeks to understand resources committed to the project beyond these grant dollars. There is no minimum or maximum match requirement.
Q. Can I assume the 3-5 page limit is independent of support materials like support letter and budget?
A. Yes.
Q. You mentioned the multi-sector group could include government – is there any conflict of interest if we ask someone from St. Pete government (for example, city council) to be a part of our multi-sector collaboration?
A. We will review conflicts of interest for every letter of interest submitted.
Q. Are master planning/strategic planning projects eligible for funds as long as they are multi sector and address systems change within the identified zip codes?
A. Yes
Q. We are interested in a multi sector collaboration, but we know that we may not have all of the partners we want signed on to collaborate at the time of application submission. How can we best share our intentions for growing the collaboration beyond partners we can sign on during the application phase? With this hinder our application review?
A. In the grants portal, there is a section where you are asked to list collaborative partners. You may use this space to list both secured partnerships as well as projected partnerships.
Q. For lead agency, if 2024 financial documents not completed yet, can we submit most recent completed 2023 documents.
A. Yes.
Q. If we are outside the 3 zip codes for this funding, can we contact Foundation staff to discuss other projects for future support or funding?
A. Yes, however, the Foundation is a place-based organization so are efforts are focused in the priority zip codes of 33705, 33711, and 33712.
Q. How and who determines how service providers / organizations come together to collaborate and be considered for the grant
A. The applicants. FHSP will not provide this function for this RLOI.
Q. Understanding that this grant is a one year grant with the possibility of renewing. What is the renewal process like? What is the likelihood of being renewed?
A. Continuation of funding will be dependent on several factors; however, FHSP is committed to supporting efforts that drive impact and advance equitable health outcomes.
Q. We are not currently funded, but were funded by the Foundation a few years ago. Are we eligible to submit the LOI now?
A. Yes, as long as you met compliance requirements.
Q. What if your business is in 33707. but your on the St. Petersburg side of 49th street Childs Park area of 33711.
A. The lead applicant may be located outside the priority zip codes but the efforts of the grant must focus and impact residents in 33705, 33711, and 33712.
Q. Can you give some examples of programs and their measured success with each of the SDOH.
A. Please, use this link to explore examples: https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople
Q. Are you working with multiple medication assisted treatment providers to access medication assisted treatment in order to address the overdose crisis? It takes more than one.
A. Not at this time.
Q. What if organizations has a corporate office in another state, but has local program that serves the identities zip codes.
A. The lead applicant may be located outside the priority zip codes but the efforts of the grant must focus and impact residents in 33705, 33711, and 33712.
Q. Are the LOCs, budget, budget narrative and supporting documents included in the 5-page LOI limit?
A. No.
Q. As I sit here, I see groups I will likely be competing against for this grant. I’d rather work with these neighbors. How do we facilitate collaboration?
A. You may self-initiate opportunities for collaboration.
Q. When applying – for National Organizations. Would you prefer we provide local data (fiscal revenue, etc.) or national level data?
A. Either is fine; however, please indicate what the data represents—national or local.
Q. What if partners change due to strengthening services adding partners (maintaining the same issue to address) is that allowed?
A. The RLOI is seeking systems change. You may continue to work on the same issue; however, it must be addressed through the Social Determinants of Health framework, systems change, and a multi-sector collaboration.
Q. How do I begin to think about the root cause of my issue? Affordable homeownership? It’s an inflation issue, high interest rates, and low wages. All very overwhelming…
A. The RLOI is not asking you to solve the entirety of an issue. It seeks to create incremental systems change that advances equitable health outcomes.
Q. Should previous funding be included if the grant cycle has already concluded?
A. No. Only include funding that will be committed to the collaborative effort should the Foundation award a grant.
| Q. How are you all facilitating connections for this? For example, events in the past here have done the speed networking or other facilitated events, are we/can we do something like that again?
A. During the launch event, we provided networking prior to the start of the event as well as networking after the event. The Foundation will not be facilitating additional networking events related to this RLOI. You may self-initiate collaboration. |
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| Q. For newer organizations: is the eligibility requirement of one year from the date of the prospective award or from the date of application/letter of interest?
A. Date of submission: May 27, 2025, by 5:00EST. |
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| Q. What kinds of long-term health support is projected to community centers and churches
A. This question falls outside the scope of this RLOI. |
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| Q. How many LOIs do you intend to invite to the full application process?
A. Up to 4. |
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| Q. Is this one-year funding or multiyear funding?
A. This RLOI may be for one to two years with an allocation of funding up to $250,000 total with an option for renewal. |
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| Q. Being a very small and new Nonprofit is there away to be paired with another organization by way of referrals? Is there a “place” where an organization can see other organizations that are still looking to collaborate? I hope I’m asking this correctly 🙂
A. During the launch event, we provided networking prior to the start of the event as well as networking after the event. The Foundation will not be facilitating additional networking events related to this RLOI. You may self-initiate collaboration. |
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| Q. They did not answer the question about how the foundation is facilitating these connections. We’re not asking them to recommend who to work for but without creating the space for everyone in this room to know who’s in the room, you are actually pushing power dynamics bc it becomes who you know and doesn’t open the door. At the very least, are they open to sharing the contacts and organizations for everyone who registered so that we can then identity the players? That’s a big barrier. Without that, they need to understand they are causing harm.
A. No, we are committed to maintaining data privacy. During the launch event, we provided networking prior to the start of the event as well as networking after the event. The Foundation will not be facilitating additional networking events related to this RLOI. You may self-initiate collaboration.
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Q: Can an organization be a lead applicant and also be part of different applications as a partner wherein another organization would be the lead applicant?
A. Yes.
Q. Is there a limit to the number of times an organization can be a collaborative partner as part of applications from different lead applicants?
A. No, you may be in as many applications as a collaborative partner as you desire.
Q. The info in the instructions makes it sound like it is allowable. However, I am hearing from colleagues that their take-away from the in-person session at The Center for Health Equity was that this was not allowable. What they heard was that …. If an org is a lead applicant, they can only be a lead applicant – and NOT part of another application as (just) a partner.
A. Please, refer to the instructions. You may be a lead applicant and a collaborative partner in other applications.
Q: The eligibility criteria attached to the RLOI indicate that “all funding for the proposed multi-sector collaboration will benefit organizations serving the priority zip codes of 33705, 33711, and 33712.”
Our organization fosters multi-sector program collaborations that have a broader reach throughout the county – to meet the eligibility criteria, would we need to hone in specifically to our collaborations’ impact on 33705, 33711, and 33712? Please let me know when you get a chance.
A. This funding opportunity priorities 33705, 33711, and 33712 zip codes. As such, efforts must focus in these geographic locations.
Q. With the recent change with Gulfport zoning, our zip code is 33707, this side of the street was considered St. Petersburg, which has now changed to Gulfport.
The local residents and businesses directly across (49th) street are considered 33705. Would we be eligible to participate with this grant application?
A. Yes, however the funding must still prioritize efforts that impact 33705, 33711, and 33712.