FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For Further Information Contact:
Glennda MoragneEl
Quality Health Foundation Program Director
410-872-9632 or moragneelg@dfmc.org

Quality Health Foundation Announces Call for Proposals
Grant-Giving Organization to Provide Funds to Eligible Groups

Easton, Maryland - November 5, 2009 — The Quality Health Foundation (QHF), a national not-for-profit organization committed to improving the quality of healthcare, announces a call for proposals for the 2010 grant cycle, which will award grants to eligible organizations that work to improve healthcare for Maryland and the District of Columbia individuals and communities through measurable outcome improvement projects.

In 2009, QHF awarded $245,000 to six different organizations.  For 2010, QHF will fund various projects, including service, demonstration, education and clinical programs producing high impact results on health outcomes.  Funding will be prioritized based on a project’s potential impact on healthcare improvements and access for individuals and communities, particularly the uninsured and under served population, and/or projects that can be replicated.

Award Size and Duration
Awards are for one year and may be up to $50,000.  Funds are released on a quarterly basis and reports must be submitted and approved before checks are issued.

Dr. Sheldon Goldgeier Award
To honor the memory of longtime board member and supporter, Dr. Sheldon Goldgeier, QHF will award one grant for a program particular focused on pulmonary and/or lung disease, i.e. but not limited to smoking cessation, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.  A high priority will be given to applications that reach underserved populations.

Funding Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be from Maryland or the District of Columbia. All organizations focused on improving the health of individuals at the community level are encouraged to apply.
Examples of organizations that may apply for funding are:

• Faith-based
• Non-profit
• State and Local Government
• Hospital/Provider
• Educational Institution

An applicant who has received project funding for one year may not apply for more than one continuation grant.

Funding Priorities
Our focus is on a program that demonstrates improved health care delivery, quality, and measurable outcomes from a consumer perspective.

Priority areas include:

• Improved treatment through the use of “best practices”
• Improved access to health care services
• Improved communication of health knowledge

Types of projects QHF might fund include:

• Promotion of healthy lifestyles and quality of life
• Promotion of culturally and linguistically appropriate care
• Promotion of consumer centered care and decision making
• Improvements in dissemination of health related information
• Promotion of patient safety
• Promotion of “best practices”
• Programs that reach under-served populations (rural, homeless and uninsured)

QHF will not fund:

• Reimbursable direct patient care services
• Facility construction/remodeling of facilities
• Lobbying
• Fundraising activities

Application and Submission Information
Applications are available at www.qualityhealthfoundation.org.  The deadline for 2010 applications is January 20, 2010. For more information contact Glennda MoragneEl, Quality Health Foundation Program Director, 410-872-9632 or moragneelg@dfmc.org.

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About Quality Health Foundation
The Quality Health Foundation is the mission arm of Quality Health Strategies Group, a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality in over 40 states. Formed in 2003, the mission of the Quality Health Foundation is to improve the health of individuals and communities.  To achieve this goal, we provide modest charitable grants to organizations that wish to undertake improvement projects to impact access to and quality of healthcare and human services to individuals and communities.  For more information, please visit the Quality Health Foundation on the web at www.qualityhealthfoundation.org