Capital Funding Frequently Asked Questions
Question:
Where does money for capital funding come
from?
Answer:
Funding comes from a variety of resources, both private and public. Private funds come from charitable giving organizations, foundations, direct giving programs, community groups and voluntary agencies. Public funds come from the government such as federal, state, and local agencies.
Question:
What are the initial steps I should ask myself
regarding the funding process?
Answer:
Step 1: Identify the Need
- Create a Strategic Plan
- What is the funding need?
- How does my strategic plan address the need for assistance?
- Do I need to do a market study?
- Do I have a space plan?
- Do I need to do a feasibility study?
Step 2: Identify Funding Sources
- Who can I approach for funding?
- How do I obtain information about potential funders?
Step 3: Develop the Proposal
- What are the goals and objectives of the program?
- How will the program be carried out?
- How will the program be budgeted?
- What type of proposal format should be used?
Step 4: Submit a Proposal
- Can the funder's application deadlines be met?
- Is the proposal being sent to the appropriate contact?
- Is the proposal filled out completely and correctly?
Step 5: Follow-up
- Was the proposal accepted?
- If not, why?
- If not, should I submit a revised proposal?
Question:
What are some examples of private funding
foundations that support rural capital funding requests?
Answer:
Private foundations receive income from an individual, family or
group of individuals. Prominent private rural health foundations
are:
Local, state, and regional foundations should also be explored as possible sources of capital funding as they are often more inclined to provide capital funding than large national foundations.
Question:
What is an Essential Community Facility?
Answer:
Essential Community Facilities is a term used by USDA Community Facilities programs to describe the types of facilities it will fund. Essential Community Facilities must meet all of the following criteria:
- Provide an essential public service to the local community -
the service;
- Should be a service that is typically provided by a local unit
of government;
- Be needed for the orderly development of the rural community
and considered a public improvement;
- Does not include private, commercial or business undertakings;
and
- Must include significant community support.
Essential Community facilities are medical clinics,
hospitals, assisted living facilities, police stations, fire and
rescue stations, community centers, public buildings, transportation,
schools, libraries, and child care centers - facilities that are
essential to the quality of life in rural communities.
Question: What is a CDFI?
Answer:
Community Development Financial Institutions or CDFIs are financial institutions that have community development as their primary mission and that develop a range of strategies to address that mission. CDFIs provide comprehensive credit, investment, banking and development services. Some are chartered banks, others are credit unions, and many operate as self-regulating, non-profit institutions that gather private capital from a range of investors for community development or lending. CDFIs make loans and investments and provide basic services to people and institutions that, for various reasons, are unable to get these services from conventional financial institutions. CDFIs serve economically disadvantaged people and communities throughout the United States, such as affordable housing developers, small business owners, community groups, and other non-profits or social service providers. CDFI is the administrator of New Markets Tax Credits program. In 1994 the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act created a source of federal funding to fund community development financial institutions.
To locate a community development lender in your area and for further information please see the following:
The CDFI Fund
Opportunity Finance Network
The Calvert Foundation
Question:
Are grants available for capital funding?
Answer:
The first step that many communities research when undertaking a capital project is the availability of grant funds. Unfortunately, while many grant programs exist for which rural healthcare facilities are eligible, the majority of grants available are programmatic in nature and do not allow purchases of major equipment and even fewer are available for construction. Therefore, when searching for grants it is important to look for programs that specifically state that they will fund capital projects. Some grant programs that will fund construction or equipment are:
State level resources for capital funding are also available in some states. Contact your State Office of Rural Health to learn if any grant or loan programs are available in your state.
Question: Where can I borrow money to finance a capital project?
Answer: It is often necessary to utilize loan funds for capital projects. Local banks can often loan funds for a portion of the project costs. However, it can sometimes be difficult to acquire a loan, especially at a reasonable interest rate, due to the risk associated with lending to struggling rural healthcare facilities. Several federal loan and loan guarantee programs exist that can be very helpful to facilities in securing loans, often with lower interest rates than might typically be acquired.
• USDA Community Facilities Direct and Guaranteed Loan Program
• Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans
• Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant and Loan Program
• HUD 242 - FHA Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program
• SBA Certified Development Company (504) Loan Program
Bond issues are another option. Many states have agencies that act as the vehicle for providing financial assistance to public and non-profit healthcare providers through loans funded by the issuance of tax-exempt bonds. The diversity of the nature of facilities funded by state-based programs is dependent on the mission of the agency.
Question:
What else can I do if I can't get any funding?
Answer:
Local resources are a very important resource for financing capital projects. Community fund-raising campaigns can be a very effective way of raising funds with the proper strategy and a dedicated committee. Fundraising letters to individuals and businesses; special events; and planned giving are several strategies that can be employed. Another option may be to contact local government agencies to explore if grants or loans could be issued or a dedicated tax levy implemented.
Question: What is a State Health Facility Finance Authority and how are they used in capital funding?
Answer: State Health Facilities Finance Authorities issue tax-exempt bonds and pool loans as well as other programs, such as capital planning assistance. Those eligible are not-for-profit hospitals. Having a solid financial status improves bond rating.
For further information, contact your state health facilities finance authorities program. The National Association of Health and Educational Facilities Finance Authorities (NAHEFFA) provides a state-by-state listing of such member authorities. The council focuses its efforts on issues which directly influence the availability of or access to tax-exempt financing for healthcare facilities.
The history, role, and impact of state finance authorities are analyzed in the article, The Current State of the Hospital Industry and Its Impact on State Finance Authorities, by Mark McIntire and Charles Kim.
Credits
Last revised 03/17/2009
