Overview
National data show healthcare workforce shortages across the country. The Kenan trust invests in programs aimed at educating a healthcare workforce to reduce these shortages. We primarily focus our efforts on projects that educate individuals at the post-secondary degree stage.
Eligible Project Types
The Trust will fund projects that:
- Provide support for traditional or accelerated nursing programs;
- Offer scholarships for healthcare education programs;
- Incentivize students to practice in rural or other underserved communities; or
- Support individuals wishing to re-enter the workforce
Eligible Organizations
The Trust will consider proposals for the types of projects listed above from organizations working in post-secondary settings only, including:
- Colleges and Universities, including Community Colleges and career/vocational certification programs; or
- Organizations training new healthcare workers or re-credentialing individuals who have a degree but who have left the workforce.
Size and Duration of Grants
Grants in this focus area will generally begin at $500,000 and may reach more than $1M for larger organizations demonstrating large-scale impact. Grant durations typically range from 1-3 years.
Please note, the grant size and duration listed here are meant as a general guide. A Kenan Grant Officer will work closely with organizations advancing to later stages of our grant process to tailor grant requests if needed.
Featured Grant in Healthcare Workforce: Elon University
In 2024, the Kenan Trust funded new Nursing Fellows at Elon University. The Nursing Fellows are offered four-year, merit-based scholarships to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This pre-licensure program provides students with a foundational knowledge base and promotes an ethos of patient-centered care across the lifespan and the health-wellness-illness continuum.
