2024 Advancing Community Advocacy Fellowship RFP

Request for Proposals

Deadline to Apply: October 8, 2024

About the Foundation

The Horizon Foundation is the largest independent health philanthropy in Maryland. We are committed to a Howard County free from systemic inequities, where all people can live abundant and healthy lives. We fight for equitable and compassionate health and mental health care, access to affordable and safe homes, a community where healthy food is accessible and affordable and where all residents can generate and pass down wealth. Our mission is to work side by side with community to build power, advocate for policy change and dismantle structural racism to achieve better health for everyone in Howard County and greater Maryland.

Context

The Horizon Foundation envisions a Howard County free from systemic inequities, where all people can live abundant and healthy lives. Centuries of racism have defined and created many of the inequitable structures that exist in our society today and have led to significant health disparities. We view health disparities through the lens of racial equity, because it is the most persistent and difficult to address. We are committed to working to remove structural, institutional and systemic racism that continues to exist in the health, social and economic systems in our community. This includes, for example, racism that is embedded in laws, regulations, policies and governmental agency budgets.

We are seeking partners to join the Foundation and others involved in racial equity work to make Howard County a healthier and just place to live for all residents.


2024 Advancing Community Advocacy (ACA) Fellowship Overview

The purpose of this strategic opportunity is to build the organizing and advocacy capacity of individuals who live in and/or serve Howard County, by helping them use their power to advance issues that matter most to them and their community. The person selected will become a key partner in one of the new Foundation’s focus areas. They will learn essential organizing and advocacy skills by working alongside Horizon Foundation staff and its partners.

Through this RFP, the Foundation is seeking to partner with a total of two individuals that:

  • Are passionate about the Foundation’s mission, vision, values and at least one of the following strategic campaign areas including**:
  • Maternal & Infant Health
  • Mental Health
  • High-Quality Housing
  • Food & Nutrition Security

**Please note that the Foundation went through a strategic planning process in 2023 and has yet to identify and finalize policy opportunities in these new focus areas. The Foundation and selected fellows will work together to build out these new focus areas and advance potential policy campaigns. 

  • Is relatively new to policy work and/or wants to further develop their advocacy and organizing skills;
  • Has experience serving and working with communities of color;
  • Has commitment to and understanding of racial equity principles;
  • Has time and capacity to commit to at least 20 hours per month for this fellowship experience; and
  • Is willing to advocate and mobilize community members for needed community change.


Fellow Expectations

Two (2) fellows will be awarded $30,000 per year for 2 years.  Selected fellows will:

  • Support community outreach, organizing and mobilization for a mutually agreed to Horizon Foundation focus area.
  • Attend virtual or in-person bi-weekly check-ins with key Horizon Foundation staff.
  • Participate in scheduled quarterly trainings or meetings and complete the assignments/tasks that supplement the learning process.
  • Commit at least 20 hours per month to this fellowship opportunity.
  • Share information with community members about our work together and help develop and share social media content around the focus area.
  • Engage with other partners and build a base of partners and community members that will help accomplish the development and completion of a future successful campaign
  • Complete quarterly reports about each of the trainings and campaign learning to date, along with a midyear and final report.


Eligibility Criteria

  • Applicants must be an individual (not a nonprofit) who lives and/or works in Howard County with an established community base in the County (i.e. – a group of community members who share common goals and values who you rely upon to support your efforts, show up at in-person activities and take requested action.) The Fellowship term is from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026. This is a multi-year grant. The selected Fellow will be awarded a $30,000 contract per year for 2 years. Funding may be used to cover your time and creativity in support of advancing the work.


How to Submit Proposals

All proposals must be submitted using our online grants system. Preview the grant application questions in this PDF. The deadline to submit the application is October 8, 2024.  

Please use this New User Instruction Guide to understand how to create an account for an individual in our online grants system.


Selection Process and Timeline

After an initial review of applications, Horizon Foundation will select finalists to participate in a 30-minute interview to learn more about their background, passion, capacity, and readiness for the Fellowship opportunity. Communication from Horizon Foundation will go out to all applicants about the status of their application and/or logistics for a finalist interview. Please see below for the full timeline of the decision-making process.

  • October 8, 2024: Application closes at 11:59:59 EST
  • October 11 – 21, 2024: Application Review
  • October 28 – November 1, 2024: Finalist Interviews
  • November 8, 2024: Funding Decision Communicated


Interested in learning more? Attend our info sessions.

We will host two information sessions to explain the Request for Proposals and answer any questions you may have. View the recording of the information session here.

For questions on the grant opportunity, please contact Policy and Community Engagement Director, Jennifer Holland at jholland@thehorizonfoundation.org. For assistance with the grant system, please contact Program Director, Kenitra Fokwa at kfokwa@thehorizonfoundation.org.