Grant Information
The 2027 Letter of Inquiry submission window is now closed.
Supporting HIV Prevention
We fund programs that focus on HIV prevention strategies, including syringe exchange, condom distribution, and PrEP, PEP and TaSP education.
Bridging Gaps in HIV Care
We address unreimbursed gaps in supportive services to ensure people living with HIV remain in continuous care.
CARES Foundation 2027 Grant Cycle Informational Webinar Slides
- Only organizations that submitted a Letter of Intent are invited by the CARES Foundation are eligible to submit full proposals.
- Interested applicants are encouraged to review the resources on this website for additional clarity about the grant application process and alignment with the Foundation’s strategic funding priorities
2027 Grants Cycle Timeline
May 1, 2026 | 2027 Grants Cycle Opened |
May 29, 2026 | Letters of Intent (LOIs) Submission Deadline |
June 30, 2026 | Invitations to agencies to submit grant proposal based on Foundation review of LOI |
July 31, 2026 | Grant application due 5:00 pm PST |
October 2026 | Notification to agencies of grant funding decisions |
November 2026 | Memorandum of Understanding Negotiations |
January 1, 2027 | 2027 Grants Start Date |
The CARES Foundation Overview
The CARES Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides grants to organizations in California’s Sacramento region that serve the needs of people living with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), prevent the transmission of HIV, and/or raise social awareness to end discrimination and stigma against those living with or at increased risk of contracting HIV. These grants may include funds for specific programs, or for general operating support.
The CARES Foundation is committed to improving the health of the Sacramento region by supporting nonprofit organizations that share in its mission and work with a variety of higher risk populations to reduce the impact of HIV and associated co-occurring conditions.
Unlike other chronic diseases, HIV is unique in the need to not only care for the patient, but to do everything possible to prevent transmission to others. Finding those infected with HIV as early as possible also means that HIV testing is a major focus for the Foundation. Equal consideration is given to grant proposals that address either HIV prevention or treatment and support for People Living with HIV (PLWH).
More Information
Eligible Organizations
An applying organization must meet all of the following requirements:
- Nonprofit agency with evidence of tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code with or without 509(a) designation as a non-private foundation 501(c)19, 501(c)8, or 501(c)10, or a local, state, or federal government agency or a public school; and
- Located within and primarily serving residents of the greater Sacramento area. An exception may be made for regional, statewide, or national public policy efforts that are of benefit to a substantial segment of the population of the greater Sacramento region; and
- Operated and organized so that it does not discriminate in the hiring of staff or in the provision of services on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, blindness, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, among other protected classes under state and federal law; and
- Agree to fully participate in any CARES Foundation event that involves its grantees.
The CARES Foundation Strategic Funding Priorities
1. HIV Prevention such as:
- Outreach, education and engagement associated with:
- Risk reduction supply distribution (e.g., safer sex and injection drug use)
- Pre- and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis distribution
- Prevention education for youth (schools, parent/youth workshops, etc.)
- Partner services
- Other
2. HIV Testing with Linkage to Care, such as:
- HIV testing with linkage to confirmatory testing
- Client follow up to ensure client is aware of status and linked to medical care and case management
- Community resources education for medical care and support services
- Community testing events
- Mobile testing
- Other
3. Filling Unreimbursed Gaps in Supportive services to keep People Living with HIV (PLWH) in Care, such as:
- Outreach, education and engagement to keep PLWH in Care to reach viral suppression (Treatment as Prevention – TaSP)
- Mobile medical care
- Substance Use Disorder Treatment
- Transportation
- Case management including benefits enrollment
- Housing navigation
- Peer support services
- Other
4. Innovative projects that decrease impact of HIV in the Sacramento region:
- Pilot projects (i.e., service expansion, infrastructure development, etc.)
- Provider collaboration to increase service impact, continuity of care, and decrease service duplication
- Other
Grant Funding Exclusions
Examples of funding requests the CARES Foundation will not fund include the following:
- Funding for goods or services that could be reimbursed by third-party payors; unless any of the following conditions exist: a) services are provided to patients who do not have healthcare insurance that covers those services and/or b) services are provided to patients that do not to use their health care insurance due to confidentiality concerns; or
- Distributions to any foreign organization, political organizations, or campaigns, or for any Sectarian purposes (i.e., programs that promote or require a religious doctrine); or
- Projects that require the CARES Foundation to directly provide goods, services, or funds to individuals.
- Benefits Expenses are capped at 30% of personnel costs.
- Indirect/Overhead Expenses are capped at 15% of personnel plus non-personnel costs.
