Last May I spent one hectic afternoon trying to find a care clinic to take my 7-year old who was holding his arm after a fall on the school playground. Every nearby center we stopped at was closed for an hour or so until the evening shift began. We eventually got in and discovered my son had a fractured arm. Even with the inconvenience I felt lucky I had choices and insurance to cover part of the cost. Thinking back on it, I wondered how people cope in rural areas or places that are simply underserved. Even with insurance a trip to a care clinic can be extremely expensive. Hopefully, the grant source I am showcasing today can lend a hand to those clinics who need additional resources for providing affordable health care to their communities.

Today’s pick: The Healthier Minnesota Community Clinic Fund is an independent foundation that provides “grants to safety net providers throughout Minnesota to continue, improve, expand, or develop new essential services; upgrade and support the infrastructure of the community clinic system; and improve community clinics' interaction with the rest of the healthcare system.” The foundation’s fund is currently accepting proposals for its 2008 Traditional Community Clinic grant category. The foundation funds proposals improving provision of direct primary care clinical services, program or project development, and capital projects.

There is a standard application form which must be submitted by September 5th to be considered. Grants of up to $300,000 in up to three-year grants will be available to the 2008 grant period. Visit their website to learn more.