IEHP Foundation — 2027–2028 Champions for Vibrant Health Leadership Network
IEHP Foundation is accepting applications from eligible Inland Empire 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations for the second Champions for Vibrant Health Leadership Network cohort. The program provides direct financial support along with required two-year leadership development, policy education, and collaboration activities. Applications opened October 20, 2026 and close Friday, November 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT). It is a nonprofit grant, not vendor procurement or a federal Rural Health Transformation Program competition.
Individual organization funding
Each of the 20 selected nonprofit organizations receives $50,000 per year for two years ($100,000 total per organization), scheduled for the 2027–2028 cohort. A portion of $10,000 from each year’s award must remain flexible so participating leaders can implement strategies and emerging capacity needs. Eligible capacity uses may include systems, processes, staffing, data infrastructure, and organizational resilience linked to the funder’s goals. The RFA does not describe a universal percentage match or reimbursement-only structure. The aggregate program pool is not separately stated as an awarded pool; do not confuse a per-organization award with aggregate funding. Award-year payments and travel stipends are expected beginning January 2027.
Strict applicant eligibility
Applicants must have IRS 501(c)(3) public-benefit nonprofit status; at least three years’ operation; annual operating budgets over $400,000 for each of the past three years; a headquarters or significant presence in Riverside or San Bernardino County, California; and a 2026 Candid GuideStar Gold or Platinum Seal of Transparency. Applicant programming must meaningfully serve Inland Empire children, youth or families from the Medi-Cal community, with relevant emphasis on low-income, rural or low-Healthy-Places-Index populations. Eligible areas span healthcare and behavioral health access, food/basic needs, housing, education, workforce pathways, social services, Medi-Cal navigation, and policy advocacy. Direct support to communities affected by evolving Medi-Cal and CalFresh changes is an important selection factor.
Not eligible: fiscally sponsored organizations, private foundations, 501(c)(4) organizations, and organizations that participated in the 2025–2026 Champions Leadership Network. The RFA mentions very rare possible eligibility exceptions, but no organization should presume an exception without the funder’s written decision.
Two required leaders and participation
Every applicant must designate one Executive Leader and one Emerging Leader; each must have worked for the organization for at least two years and have Inland Empire-focused responsibilities. Both must commit to six in-person gatherings per year (four local convenings, one Sacramento advocacy trip, one retreat), intersession activities, and required impact reporting. Estimated commitment is 8–15 hours per month. Required 2027 and 2028 activities must be accommodated in staffing and travel plans. The RFA contains a 2026 calendar-year typo in the list of purported Year 1 session dates; applicants should verify the corrected 2027 session schedule with IEHP Foundation rather than relying on those printed session-year dates.
How to apply
Read the official seven-page 2027–2028 Request for Applications in full. Complete the required initial eligibility quiz, then submit the full online application through the IEHP Foundation Grants page and its linked grant-management portal by November 20, 2026, 5:00 p.m. PT. Late applications are not accepted. IEHP Foundation hosts a virtual information session October 27 and expects selection notices in mid-December 2026. Applicants should review the portal’s form and attachments for all response fields; the funder’s page also links a full application preview.
Controlling sources verified October 24, 2026: IEHP Foundation official grant opportunity and application announcement; 2027–2028 Leadership Network RFA. Funder-issued instructions, not aggregators, control eligibility and deadlines.