H2HC 2025 Prizes for Innovation FAQs
Why is H2HC focusing on youth health equity this year?
There are too many young people in the U.S. facing profound food and nutrition challenges that impact every aspect of their lives.
- Nearly 1 in 5 children in the U.S. live in food-insecure households
- More than 1 in 4 American Indian and Alaska Native households with children are food insecure
- 48% of Native American households reported living >10 miles from the nearest grocery store
How do you define health equity?
Health equity means ensuring that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to achieve their highest level of health and well-being. Learn more about the social drivers of health (SDOH) that affect health equity.
What type of organizations can apply for the Prizes for Innovation?
The following types of organizations are eligible to apply:
- 501(c)(3) public charities
- Federally recognized tribes
- Federally recognized Urban Indian Organizations
- Indian tribal governments (IRS, section 7871)
- U.S. public schools and school districts
- U.S. governmental entities or affiliated organizations that are eligible to receive 501(c)(3) funding
- Organizations may also apply via a 501(c)(3) Public Charity Fiscal Sponsor
Please note that we do not fund:
- Organizations that discriminate on the basis of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political beliefs, disabilities, or any other protected categories
- Lobbying or political activities
- Major research projects
- Any commercial business
- Any litigation that is under way, contemplated, or completed, or organizations that use litigation as a primary tool to carry out their mission
- Private foundations, Type III supporting organizations, or other organizations that require expenditure responsibility by H2HC and the Foundation
- Direct grants to individuals
- Organizations that do not comply with all laws and regulations, including those related to the USA Patriot Act, Executive Order 13224, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury Anti-Terrorist Financing Guidelines: Voluntary Best Practices for U.S. Based Charities. In this regard, the USA Patriot Act prohibits willfully providing funds for terrorism.
- Specific religious activities or beliefs or organizations that require adherence to a specific religion or belief
- Any other organization that does not meet the IRS funding requirements for a private foundation
What are the prize categories?
- Food and Nutrition Policy Work Advancing Health Equity for Youth
- Nutrition Education and School Food
- Indigenous Food Justice for Youth
What type of work will be considered for the H2HC Prizes for Innovation?
H2HC is seeking innovative, novel work in food and nutrition that has the capacity to make a significant contribution to advancing health equity for youth. H2HC is particularly interested in uplifting models that take an upstream approach to making systemic, long-term change.
What distinguishes work eligible for $100,000 prizes versus $25,000 prizes?
The $100,000 and $25,000 prizes will recognize projects that meet all the same criteria but may differ in scale and impact. The two (2) $100,000 Prizes for Innovation are designed to recognize innovative, collaborative, systemic food and nutrition policy work, at any level, that advances health equity for large populations of young people. We anticipate these programs will showcase efforts that involve state and federal policies and practices. This work may involve researching, analyzing, and developing policies and programs, leading to meaningful change by influencing how governments and organizations make decisions.
The four (4) $25,000 Prizes for Innovation are designed to recognize innovative, collaborative, and systemic work in two categories (school nutrition and nutrition education, and Indigenous food justice for youth) that may be relatively smaller in scale and impact, and that likely involve local and community policies and practices.
If you select one category and reviewers find that your application may be more competitive in another category, H2HC will move your application so that it is best positioned. See Rules for more information.
Are there specific populations the work should target?
This year, the H2HC Prizes for Innovation are focusing on work that advances health equity for youth within the three categories specified. H2HC is also interested in work that centers lived experience and is led by individuals who represent the communities they serve.
What type of policy work is eligible for consideration?
H2HC is interested in supporting innovative, collaborative, systemic policy work, at any level, that advances health equity for youth, with a preference for work that results in positive change for large populations of youth. We anticipate these programs will showcase efforts that involve state and federal policies and practices. This work may involve researching, analyzing, and developing policies and programs, leading to meaningful change by influencing how governments and organizations make decisions.
What types of projects fall into the category of nutrition education and school food?
We encourage projects that:
- Support children learning about, growing, gathering, or cooking healthy, nutritious, and culturally relevant foods
- Shift school policy, practices, and/or systems so that children have access to healthy school meals
- Support nutrition education and/or nutritious food in schools
What types of projects fall into the category of Indigenous food justice?
We encourage projects that:
- Support access to, advancement of, and rematriation of traditional, nutritious, and affordable foods
- Shift control and stewardship of food resources to Indigenous communities to benefit children
- Enhance the ability of Indigenous children to respond to their needs for healthy, culturally relevant Indigenous foods
- Helps your community create new pathways to support food justice for Indigenous children.
Are clear goals and outcomes required?
Yes, clear measurable objectives, including goals and outcomes, are critical.
Will multiple applications increase an organization’s chance of winning?
No, prize recipients are determined by eligibility criteria, not by the number of applications received, so please do not submit more than one application.
Can I apply again if I applied in previous years?
Yes, organizations may reapply if they were not selected as Prizes for Innovation winners in previous years. We recommend reviewing our past winners to see what sets them apart from other organizations to improve your application.
Will I be notified of my application status?
Prize finalists will be notified and may be invited to a virtual interview in August-September 2025. H2HC will notify all applicants as soon as possible after prize winners have been selected in September-October 2025.
Who will be evaluating the prize applications?
H2HC and Newman’s Own Foundation have recruited a distinguished national panel of reviewers with diverse backgrounds to evaluate applicants and identify finalists.
What is expected of the Prize winners?
All Prize winners are asked to attend the 2025 H2HC Fall Summit in Boston on November 6. Winners of $100,000 prizes, disbursed over two years, will also be invited to report on Prize-related activity at the 2026 H2HC Fall Summit. Economy travel will be reimbursed for one representative from each winning organization.
All awardees will also be invited to participate in learning community activities, media relations, and other related efforts that mutually support the shared goal of advancing health equity and food justice for youth.
In 2026, at the one-year mark, Prize winners will be expected to share written information related to their use of Prize funding to serve as a learning opportunity for other organizations.
Are the prize funds restricted in any way?
The H2HC prizes have no use restrictions other than what is delineated in the Rules and are meant to uplift and amplify innovative efforts in the food and nutrition space to advance health equity for youth.
How will the prizes be distributed?
Up to two (2) $100,000 prizes will be distributed to recipients in two equal disbursements of $50,000 in fall 2025 and fall 2026. Up to four (4) $25,000 prizes will be disbursed to the prize winners in a one-time payment in late October 2025.
What will happen to my organization’s application if I don’t win?
H2HC is eager to help amplify the promising work of applicants and is consistently building a collection of innovative models from around the country in its H2HC Directory of Innovation. H2HC will be in touch if your work is selected for inclusion in the Directory.
Who should I contact about questions regarding my application?
JustFund will answer technical questions about using their portal. Email info@h2hcollaboratory.org for questions about the eligibility of your application or other content-based questions.