Priority communities

Place-based funding for community health improvement

The Quest Diagnostics Foundation identifies high-need metropolitan areas across the United States for intentional, multi-year funding. By supporting local, community-driven coalitions, we work to dismantle systemic health disparities and build sustainable pathways to clinical wellness.

Our funding philosophy: Collective impact

Improving community health requires moving beyond isolated programs.  Priority Community grantees focus on systemic, place-based change with funding for collaboratives that work at the intersection of clinical care and community support.

We design our localized grant cycles around two core expectations:

• Multi-sector coalitions: We strongly encourage applicants to apply as cohesive coalitions (combining community organizations, healthcare clinics, academic researchers, and social service providers) to build strong community-clinical linkages
• CHNA Alignment: Funded initiatives must align directly with the priorities identified in their area's most recent Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). This ensures our investments address the community's self-defined health needs

Successful proposals will demonstrate the capacity to drive meaningful, measurable outcomes across 1 or more of these foundational areas:

Who can apply?

To qualify for our place-based Priority Community grants, lead applicant organizations must meet the following criteria:

• Tax-exempt status: Must be a recognized tax-exempt organization as defined by the IRS, a 501(c)(3) public charity, or a US public entity (such as Federally Qualified Health Centers [FQHCs], public hospitals, universities, school districts, or public health departments).

• Local leadership: While national non-profits may apply as lead coordinators, the coalition must include and directly fund community-based organizations (CBOs) operating inside the targeted Priority Community geographic boundaries.