Cone Health Foundation is accepting applications for its 2026 Health Equity Advocacy Grant, a one-year funding opportunity for advocacy and systems-change efforts that address the root causes of health inequities in the greater Greensboro area.
Award amount: $15,000 to $30,000. Grant term: January 1 through December 31, 2027. Deadline: September 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM. The current official RFP does not state a time zone, so applicants should confirm the portal cutoff and submit early rather than assume one.
Eligibility and priorities
Applicants must demonstrate experience in community engagement, advocacy, organizing, policy work or systems-change efforts. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, community-based organizations, coalitions, government entities and other community groups in Greensboro. Organizations without 501(c)(3) status may apply with an eligible fiscal sponsor. Applicants must serve residents in the greater Greensboro area and align their advocacy strategy with at least one priority area: access to healthy food, access to quality health care, economic mobility, education, or safe and healthy housing.
Grant awards may not exceed 25 percent of the applicant’s total annual budget. The RFP does not state a separate mandatory match or cost-share requirement.
Allowable focus and exclusions
Competitive projects may include community organizing, civic engagement, policy research and analysis, public education, coalition building, communications, nonpartisan voter engagement and lobbying that advances eligible systems-level change. Funds may support community organizing or other personnel contributions, advocacy campaign activities, resident leadership development, research and policy analysis, communications and public education, coalition coordination and community engagement events.
The Foundation generally will not fund direct-service delivery, clinical or health care services, emergency financial assistance, individual case management, unrelated scholarships, charitable activity without a systems-change component, hiring new staff positions, or organizations without an established Greensboro presence or track record.
Submission requirements
Applications must be submitted electronically through the designated Blackbaud application portal. The official RFP lists application questions covering the priority area, proposed advocacy initiative, systems or policy target, community leadership and equity, advocacy strategy, outcomes, partnerships, organizational capacity, budget and use of funds, and sustainability. Required uploads include a project budget, organizational budget, and an IRS determination letter or fiscal sponsorship agreement when applicable. Late, incomplete or ineligible applications will not be reviewed.
Contact: Luke Wallace, Finance and Grants Manager, foundation@conehealth.com. No separate amendment or addendum is identified on the current official opportunity page as of September 12, 2026.
Atlas fit
Atlas Opportunity Score: 76/100. N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. The opportunity has clear health-equity relevance, but the RFP is intentionally focused on advocacy and systems change and generally excludes clinical or health care services. A Nonagon N9+ device and platform deployment or QC Healthcare clinical-services project would therefore be forced fit. Atlas classifies this as publish-only and does not recommend applicant outreach for Dr. Miltie or QC Healthcare.