The Kresge Foundation, a rare foundation that provides grants to nonprofits for capital expenses, has announced a pair of new initiatives benefitting community health organizations that address the critical health needs of underserved populations.

Public-health clinics, free clinics and other health centers that address both the immediate and long-term needs of communities can apply for support from the Health Clinic Opportunity Fund, while the Safety-Net Enhancement Initiative funds demonstration projects showing how community health centers can address health disparities, enhance service delivery and care, and improve outcomes through collaboration and regional partnerships.

Both projects are part of Kresge's existing Safety-Net Facility Improvement program. “While the economic impact of the recession has affected virtually every segment of society in the United States and worldwide, its devastation has been felt most dramatically by residents of lower-income and minority communities,” said Kresge Foundation President Rip Rapson. “These new initiatives are two examples of how we are responding by directing resources where they can do the most good, most immediately.”

The next deadline for proposals is March 1, 2010.