Opportunity Overview
Open now. CommonSpirit Health is accepting applications for its 2027 Community Health Improvement Grants through September 18, 2026. No specific closing time or time zone is published in the current controlling program materials. The program supports defined 9-12 month projects led by qualifying nonprofit organizations to improve community health, health equity, and local service systems for underserved or vulnerable populations in participating hospital service areas.
Nebraska Participating Hospitals and Award Ranges
- Grand Island, CHI Health St. Francis: $20,000-$23,500.
- Kearney, Good Samaritan Hospital: $20,000-$45,250.
- Lincoln, CHI Health Nebraska Heart Hospital and CHI Health St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center cluster: $20,000-$32,375.
- Nebraska City, CHI Health St. Mary’s: $16,000.
- Omaha/Papillion cluster, CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy, CHI Health Immanuel, CHI Health Lakeside and CHI Health Midlands: $20,000-$48,000.
- Plainview, CHI Health Plainview Hospital: $4,750.
- Schuyler, CHI Health Schuyler: $6,250.
Nebraska Funding Priorities
Local priorities vary by hospital or cluster and include access to healthcare; behavioral and mental health; substance use; chronic disease, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure; infant health; aging/lifespan health; specialty-care shortages; childcare; transportation; housing and other social determinants of health; nutrition, physical activity and weight; injury and violence; poverty; and related community needs identified in local CHNAs.
Eligibility and Project Rules
Applicants must be IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in good standing or use a qualifying 501(c)(3) fiscal agent capable of administering grant funds. Projects must address one or more significant needs in the participating hospital’s current CHNA or implementation strategy, serve underserved or vulnerable people in that hospital’s service area, and sustain activity for 9-12 months. Requests of $20,000 or more require at least two substantive collaborating partner organizations in addition to the applicant.
Proposal budgets may include equipment purchases up to $5,000 plus computer equipment up to $2,500, with total equipment not exceeding 50% of requested funds. Indirect costs may not exceed 10%. The program does not fund unrestricted operating support, capital projects, lobbying or political campaigns, event sponsorships, activities shorter than nine months, or contracts for services.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 87/100. Nebraska has multiple participating hospital service areas and clear alignment with access, chronic disease, behavioral health, maternal/infant health, and social-driver needs. The relatively short remaining application window and modest Nebraska award ceilings temper the score.
N9+ Fit: 30/100, conditional. The Nonagon N9+ remote physical examination platform can conceptually support access-to-care, chronic-disease, school/community outreach, and telehealth-enabled clinical encounters. However, the grant’s equipment caps are restrictive and contracts for services are ineligible. Applicants must confirm with the local grant leader that any proposed N9+ device, software, or related expense is allowable before budgeting it. N9+ should not be forced into this program.
Dr. Miltie direct-applicant fit: 0/100. The applicant must be a qualifying nonprofit or use an eligible nonprofit fiscal agent. Dr. Miltie may participate only in a compliant partner/vendor role when the applicant’s project, budget, and grant rules permit it.
Next Action
Eligible Nebraska nonprofits should identify the participating CHI Health hospital or cluster serving their project area, confirm local CHNA alignment and the applicable award range, line up at least two substantive collaborating partners for requests of $20,000 or more, and submit through the hospital-specific application portal by September 18, 2026.
Official sources: CommonSpirit Health Community Health Improvement Grants, the 2027 Program Overview, and the 2027 Hospital List for Grant Applicants.