Equity and Innovation Grant Application
The Equity and Innovation Grants (EIG), formerly Hearts Grants, embodies impactful philanthropy through dynamic partnerships. Since 2004, this program has blossomed into a high leverage force. By fortifying partnerships between ZSFG and the SFGHF, it has not only distributed over $14M, but also catalyzed trailblazing initiatives at ZSFG that improve the health and well-being of all San Franciscans.
In its growth, this grant program has become a pivotal nexus, fostering collaboration that extends far beyond its initial scope. The flexible funding and support provided over the years continue to evolve, addressing the diverse needs of patients and providers at ZSFG.
Priorities
The EIG priorities invest in the people and projects at the center of ZSFG’s foundational tenets of bringing innovation and compassion to all who walk through its doors. With a deeper understanding of the patients and each other, the Foundation, alongside subject matter experts at ZSFG, fosters new ways of tackling the city’s toughest health challenges.
For 2026, projects that are directly aligned with ZSFG True North Key Performance Indicators (see below), the SFHN Quality Incentive Program (QIP), or the CMS Hospital Star Rating will be given preference.
1. Care for All: Equity and Inclusion
Nurturing cross-sector community partnerships in order to strengthen the community’s safety net and supporting the hospital with integration of social determinants of health into its clinical care. Aim to apply the lens of equity to purposefully address those most impacted by structural inequities and meet them where they are.
Proposed projects may include, but are not limited to, initiatives aimed at reducing length of stay, optimizing cesarean section rates, and enhancing the inpatient experience for historically marginalized populations.
2. Transforming Health Care: Innovation and Leadership
Investing in the hospital’s efforts to test, innovate, and incubate new and transformative models of care with an emphasis on whole-person care, team-based approaches, and continuous quality improvements in care.
Proposed projects may include, but are not limited to, initiatives to improve turnaround times for common diagnostic tests and inpatient consultations, enhance revenue capture and/or reduce length of stay across a service line, and strengthen the timeliness and coordination of inpatient care transitions.
All projects falling under one of the above priorities and adhering to funding restrictions will be considered.
Grantmaking Goals:
Promote Health Equity: Ensure that all members of the community have access to high-quality healthcare services and resources, regardless of their socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, or other demographic factors.
Foster Innovation: Support innovative approaches and projects that address public health challenges and contribute to improving healthcare outcomes and delivery systems.
Build Community Partnerships: Strengthen partnerships within ZSFG, and between departments for multidisciplinary solutions and implement effective solutions.
HOW TO APPLY:
2026 Grant Request For Proposals (RFP) Instructions
Application Window: May 15, 2026 – June 30, 2026
Application Deadline: 11:59pm on June 30, 2026
All 2026 Equity & Innovation Grants (EIG) proposals are to be submitted directly to San Francisco General Hospital Foundation (the Foundation) through the submission link on the Foundation’s website and not through the UCSF Contract and Grants Office or other hospital departments. Applicants are required to seek approval of their proposed project with a ZSFG Executive and UCSF Service Chief* by June 16, 2026.
Please note the required Proposal Notification Form (PNF) as part of the application process. The PNF needs to be completed by your DPH sponsor and will be submitted with the application. Questions about the PNF and/or your DPH sponsor should be directed to James Glik (Senior Administrative Analyst/Grants and Gifts at ZSFG) at james.glik@sfdph.org and copy grants@sfghf.org. Please reference “2026 EIG PNF” in the subject line.
The EIG program will consider a range of support strategies, such as general support for new or existing initiatives, training and capacity building. Two Equity & Innovation Grants will be awarded in the amount of $100,000 each over a grant period of two years (2) years. Please plan accordingly and anticipate the project start date for January 1, 2027, and ending on December 31, 2028.
The EIG program will not consider requests for new personnel/salaries, new professional services / contracts, gift cards, or basic scientific and/or clinical research.
Completed applications that comply with the EIG guidelines will be submitted for review by hospital and Foundation leadership. Failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in a declined application.
* A UCSF Chief is not required to approve the proposal if it is focused exclusively on DPH-operated services.
To apply, you will need to complete the following:
- Complete the Proposal Notification Form (PNF) and leave in a Word document format.
- Complete the Budget Form and leave in an Excel document format..
- Gain approval from your ZSFG Executive and UCSF Chief by June 16th.
- Complete the Application and upload PNF and Budget attachments to application.
Grant Period
January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2028
Application Window
May 15, 2026 – June 30, 2026
Application Deadline: Monday, June 30, 2026 by 11:59pm
For more guidance about how to respond to the application questions, participate in the Applicant Webinar on June 2nd (or watch the recording available afterwards) and/or Office Hours on June 17th or 23rd. Doing so will help to ensure a more successful application process.
Applicant Informational Webinar
Tuesday, June 2, 12pm – 1pm
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6442397948
Meeting ID: 644 239 7948
DPH Sponsors are also strongly encouraged to attend the webinar. If it is not feasible to attend, a recording will be available on this page.
Applicant “Office Hours”
Wednesday, June 17, 1pm – 2 pm
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6442397948
Meeting ID: 644 239 7948
Tuesday, June 23, 11am – 12pm
Microsoft Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/29717155639700?p=o1eDCBuyipHFXlOfwJ
Meeting ID: 297 171 556 397 00
Passcode: pq6SH9gg
Registration is required for Office Hours and can be done by emailing grants@sfghf.org.
Reference “2026 EIG Office Hours” in the subject line and include your name and department/program in the body of the email. If no RSVPs are received up to 24 hours before the session, Office Hours will be cancelled.
After participating in the webinar and/or office hours, potential applicants can email questions directly to grants@sfghf.org with “EIG 2026” in the subject line.
Important Dates:
May 15, 2026 – Online application opens
June 2, 2026 – Informational webinar via Zoom
June 17 and 23, 2026 – Office hours via Zoom & Teams
June 30, 2026 – Application deadline
September 21, 2026 – Applicants notified of grant awards
October 2026 – Equity & Innovation Grants Award Ceremony
October 2026 – New grantee orientation
January 1, 2027- Grant period begins
December 31, 2028 – Grant period ends
January 31, 2029 – Grant recipients submit final evaluation reports
* All dates subject to change.
Restrictions:
The EIG program will not consider requests for:
- New personnel / salaries
- New professional services / contracts
- Gift cards
- Basic scientific and/or clinical research
Additional restrictions may be in effect and shared in the informational webinar. Please join the webinar for more details. Questions can also be sent to grants@sfghf.org in advance of submission to clarify any restrictions.
Grant Selection Criteria:
- Alignment with Hospital Goals: Aligns with ZSFG True North Key Performance Indicators, the SFHN Quality Incentive Program (QIP), or the CMS Hospital Star Rating.
- Impact on Health Equity: Preference will be given to initiatives that demonstrate a clear commitment to ensuring equitable access to healthcare services and resources for all members of the community, particularly those in underserved areas.
- Innovation Impact: Assess the potential impact of the proposed innovation on patient care, operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and overall healthcare outcomes. Consider whether the innovation addresses a critical need or challenge within the hospital setting.
- Feasibility and Sustainability: Evaluate the feasibility of implementing the innovation within the hospital’s infrastructure, resources, and regulatory requirements. Consider the scalability and long-term sustainability of the innovation beyond the grant period.
- Collaboration and Partnerships: Assess how much the proposed innovation promotes collaboration within the hospital community, including interdisciplinary teams, external stakeholders, and community organizations.
- Patient Centered: Consider the extent to which the innovation prioritizes patient-centered care, including patient satisfaction, engagement, safety, and health outcomes.
- Innovation and Creativity: Evaluate the level of innovation and creativity demonstrated in the proposal, including the uniqueness of the approach, and novel solutions to existing healthcare challenges. Innovation defined as introducing new ideas, methods, technologies, or approaches to improve patient care, enhance operational efficiency, and address healthcare challenges
- Evidence-Based Practice: Assess the extent to which the proposed innovation is grounded in evidence-based practice, scientific research, and best practices in healthcare delivery.
- Scalability and Replicability: Consider the potential for scaling the innovation to other departments or healthcare settings within the hospital, as well as its replicability in other healthcare institutions.
- Resource Utilization: Assess the efficient use of resources, including budgetary considerations, resource allocation, and cost-effectiveness of the proposed innovation.
- Risk Management and Mitigation: Identify potential risks associated with the implementation of the innovation and evaluate the strategies proposed to mitigate these risks effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please refer to this document for the most up-to-date answers to frequently asked questions.
FAQs
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