Frequently Asked Questions
Charitable Medical Care Grant Program
General
What is the goal of the funding?
What can the grant support?
How can I get information about the clinics supported by the IBC Charitable Medical Care Grant Program?
Eligibility
Who is eligible to apply for a grant from the IBC Charitable Medical Care Grant Program?
I reviewed the grant eligibility guidelines, but I am still not sure if my organization fits the scope of the IBC Charitable Medical Care Grant Program. Where can we find more information about the program’s requirements?
Grantmaking restrictions
Does the program provide grants to individuals?
Can an IBC Charitable Medical Care grant fund 100 percent of a program’s cost?
Is there a limit on the duration or size of a grant award?
Application process
What do you look for in evaluating a grant application?
How does a clinic or organization apply for a grant through the IBC Charitable Medical Care Grant Program?
How will I know if you received my proposal?
How long does it take to review a grant proposal?
May I submit attachments with my grant proposal?
Who reviews and approves the grant requests?
Where do I send my completed application and supporting documentation?
General
What is the goal of the funding?
IBC provides grant funding that will help clinics increase health care access for the uninsured and underinsured as defined by IBC’s Social Mission.
What can the grant support?
Grants are available to support such areas as general operating expenses, medical supplies, specialty care, diagnostic tests, or other pertinent needs critical to the delivery of service.
How can I get information about the clinics supported by the IBC Charitable Medical Care Grant Program?
To find out more about the clinics and programs supported by the IBC Charitable Medical Care Grant Program, please visit our Supported Clinics page.
Eligibility
Who is eligible to apply for a grant from the IBC Charitable Medical Care Grant Program?
To be considered for a grant through the IBC Charitable Medical Care Grant Program, a clinic must be privately funded and provide direct medical care for free or for a nominal fee to uninsured and/or underinsured residents in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Clinics may receive public funding as part of part of its revenue.
Clinic organizations are eligible to apply for a grant if they have been classified as tax-exempt nonprofit under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Applicants must be able to provide a certified public accountant audit with their proposal.
A complete list of grant eligibility requirements can be found within our list of eligibility guidelines.
I reviewed the grant eligibility guidelines, but I am still not sure if my organization fits the scope of the IBC Charitable Medical Care Grant Program. Where can we find more information about the program’s requirements?
If you have reviewed the grant eligibility guidelines and still have questions about the Charitable Medical Care Grant Program, you may email us.
A member of the Social Mission team may help clarify the proposal guidelines and application, but he or she will not tell you whether your organization will be awarded a grant or how your proposal fares against other proposals. Discussing your proposal with a team member does not guarantee that your organization’s grant request will be approved.
Grantmaking restrictions
Does the program provide grants to individuals?
No. The IBC Charitable Medical Care Grant Program does not provide grants to individuals.
A complete list of all grant eligibility requirements can be found within our list of eligibility guidelines.
Can an IBC Charitable Medical Care grant fund 100 percent of a program’s cost?
No. IBC prefers to serve as a funding partner along with other sources of revenue. Thus, an application is strengthened by seeking multiple sources of support (as this is a key indicator of sustainability).
Is there a limit on the duration or size of a grant award?
Yes. Grants are limited in scope and duration based on the parameters of the grant. We will generally consider proposals requesting between $10,000 and $100,000 annually.
Application process
What do you look for in evaluating a grant application?
In assessing an organization’s grant request, some key areas of consideration include (but are not limited to):
- current activities and impact;
- potential impact of grant funding;
- population served and accessibility of services;
- volunteers and donated goods and services;
- free or discounted specialty services;
- fundraising efforts;
- organizational sustainability.
For more information, please see our eligibility guidelines.
How does a clinic or organization apply for a grant through the IBC Charitable Medical Care Grant Program?
Clinics and organizations are required to complete a grant application and provide all supporting materials requested. All applications are subject to a thorough review and evaluation process prior to approval or denial.
Please see the 
IBC Charitable Medical Care Grant application for detailed instructions on the application process.
How will I know if you received my proposal?
IBC will contact your organization within ten business days of receiving your application to acknowledge its receipt.
How long does it take to review a grant proposal?
Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no set deadline, so the length of the review process will depend on the total number of grant proposals under review and the approval date of the most recent grant cycle.
A member of the Social Mission team will contact you directly upon receipt of your application.
As part of the grant evaluation process, IBC may conduct an on-site visit at your clinic.
May I submit attachments with my grant proposal?
Yes. Please submit only the attachments requested with the grant application. Please see page 6 of the IBC Charitable Medical Care Grant application for the complete list of required supporting documents.
Who reviews and approves the grant requests?
The IBC Charitable Medical Care Grant Committee reviews the grant requests and makes all final funding determinations.
Where do I send my completed application and supporting documentation?
Please email your completed CMC grant application to us.
Any supporting documents in hard copy may be sent via regular postal service addressed to:
Courtney Smith
Social Mission Program Analyst
Independence Blue Cross
1901 Market Street
28th floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Still have questions?
If you have additional questions, please contact us.
