RHEF Rapid Response Grants
About RHEF Rapid Response Grants
RHEF Rapid Response grants are the first of two funding cycles for the Reproductive Health Equity Fund (For more about Systems Change Grants, see this page). Rapid Response grants provide funds to address short-term and immediate needs related to barriers to reproductive healthcare, including to ease the burden on Oregon healthcare providers.
Definition and Examples of Short-Term and Immediate Needs Funding
In the first funding cycle, the Fund will invest in immediate needs and short-term projects whose goals are to rapidly expand access to abortions and other reproductive health services.
Minimum Grant Amount: $25,000
Maximum Grant Amount: $500,000
We define immediate-needs projects as those that:
- Expand reproductive health equity and access
- Can be accomplished within 6 months (e.g. purchased, implemented or hired – not necessarily that projects are completed)
- Are one-time projects and have fixed costs
Examples of immediate-needs projects
- Patient assistance funds at health centers: Patient assistance funds for those seeking abortions and other reproductive care at health centers so needs can be met where patients seek support.
- Patient navigation: Funds for providers and community organizations to help assist folks in getting immediate care.
- Equipment for expanding care: Funds for purchasing equipment, such as:
- Ultrasound machines and anesthesia monitoring
- Security cameras, reception chairs
- Examination tables and supplies
- Workforce development:
- Signing Bonuses and funds to pay for non-licensed staffing right now
- Administrative costs for getting medical licenses and privileges faster
- Emergency funds to cover childcare or transportation needs of staff so they can sign on
- Investment and funding clinical training programs: ready-to-go training for post-abortion care and/or piloting birth control care.
- Facility and infrastructure upgrades or renovations
- Investment and funding clinical training programs that still need to be developed and/or where partnerships need to be formed
- Operating funds and ongoing staffing: Overall compensation structures for staffing
Eligibility for Immediate-Needs Funding
To be eligible, organizations and providers must be physically located in Oregon and/or serve Oregonians that experience barriers to reproductive health care access.
Organizations applying to this fund must certify that their program provides comprehensive, science-based, reproductive healthcare including information about abortion care, birth control, and gender affirming care.
The following types of entities and organizations are eligible for these funds:
- Non-profit organizations that are 501(c)(3) exempt
- Community based organizations with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor
- Tribal governments and organizations
- For-profit organizations that provide contractual services like outreach and education
- For-profit reproductive health care providers
If organizations do not fall into one of these categories but are interested in applying for projects that they believe align with the goal of the fund, please contact Seeding Justice at rhefgrants@seedingjustice.org.
Priority Populations RHEF Hopes to Serve
Because of systemic exclusion from reproductive health services, the Fund will prioritize investing in organizations and providers that:
- Led by Black, Indigenous, Latino/a, Asian Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, immigrant populations, and other marginalized communities in Oregon (ie. LGBTQ+, disabled, etc.)
- Are culturally specific and provide participant culturally responsive programming
- Are expanding or starting reproductive health programming and outreach to rural, Tribal, LGBTQ+, disabled, immigrant communities, and communities of color.
Distribution of Awards
Applicants will be informed of the Steering Committee’s decisions at the end of March 2023. If they receive an award, applicants will have until March 31, 2024 to spend the funds and complete their project.
Grantees will be asked to submit a report every six months including number and demographics (i.e. RHEF priority populations) of clients or patients served and an update on grant spending. Grantees may be asked to participate in other evaluations as needed.
Apply to the Reproductive Health Equity Fund
Rapid Response Grants are now closed
Glossary and Sample Application
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, organizations are welcome to submit more than one application for a Rapid Response grant.
Yes, organizations that apply for rapid response grants are also welcome to apply for Systems Change grants once that grant cycle is open. You can find more information about Systems Change grants here.
Yes, organizations are invited and encouraged to partner together to advance reproductive equity in Oregon.
