Health-care group seeks grant proposals

The Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County has issued a request for proposals. In its first grant-making year, the foundation anticipates awarding about $500,000 in grants for programs designed to improve access to quality health care for Lake County's low-income, uninsured and under-served residents.

The foundation will make grants only to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations that provide direct medical, dental, vision and mental health care; community health education; and post-secondary education that prepares Lake County residents to pursue health-related careers and to work in under-served Lake County communities. Grants will range from $25,000 to $100,000.

The Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County was incorporated in June 2006. It was created following the sale of St. Therese and Victory Memorial Hospitals in Waukegan to Community Health Systems. The proceeds from the sale will be used to support, benefit, promote, fund and arrange access to health-care services and health education focused primarily on residents of northern Lake County, the service area is the former not-for-profit hospitals.

For program guidelines and application procedures, write Ernest Vasseur, executive director, Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County, 408 Birch Ave. Lake Bluff, IL 60044, or call (847) 775-1056. Letters of inquiry must be postmarked by Saturday.