Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Grants $51 Million to Address Nursing Shortage Across New York

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Grant Overview

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation (MCHF) Nursing Initiative is a $51 million program launched in May 2025 to address New York’s nursing shortage. It funds 13 safety-net hospitals with $1–$5 million grants over five years to strengthen training, retention, volunteer engagement, and workforce development. Since 2019, MCHF has awarded over $1 billion in grants to hospitals, clinics, and nonprofits advancing healthcare access and workforce growth.

Rome Health Secures $5M Mother Cabrini Grant to Advance Nursing Excellence in 2025

Rome Health, a nonprofit healthcare system in Rome, New York, operates Rome Memorial Hospital, a skilled nursing facility, and outpatient centers. An affiliate of St. Joseph's Health since 2017, it delivers care across Central New York.

In May 2025, Rome Health was awarded nearly $5 million over five years through the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation's Nursing Initiative. The grant supports Magnet® recognition, virtual nursing models, and expanded nurse residency programs, with funding for consulting, certifications, education, technology, and new nursing roles. romehealth.org

This grant was announced on May 14, 2025, as part of the foundation’s first-of-its-kind $51 million Nursing Initiative aimed at strengthening the nursing workforce and improving patient care in underserved communities across New York State. Mother Cabrini Health Foundation

Rome Health’s Path to a $5 Million Nursing Grant

1. A Competitive, Strategic Selection Process

• Competitive Application
  The Mother Cabrini Foundation opened the Nursing Initiative with a rigorous Request for Proposals (RFP). Over 50 hospitals statewide applied, and only 13—including Rome Health—were selected based on their demonstrated need and capacity to benefit high-impact nursing standards like ANCC Magnet® or Pathway to Excellence™. Mother Cabrini Health Foundation+1
• Alignment with Foundation Criteria
  Rome Health stood out by serving a high-need, vulnerable population, which matched Cabrini's priority for supporting safety-net hospitals. Mother Cabrini Health Foundation

2. Capacity & Vision Delivered Results

• Operational Readiness
  Rome Health presented a strong case that included specific, actionable plans: expanding virtual nursing, nurse residency programs, and pursuing Magnet accreditation. Leadership, staffing plans, and infrastructure upgrades were all central to their proposal. romehealth.org
• Community Commitment
  Their CEO, AnneMarie Czyz, Ed.D., RN, emphasized that this funding was transformative for a regional safety-net hospital—enabling professional development, virtual care solutions, retention mechanisms, and pursuit of national nursing excellence standards. romehealth.org
• Leadership Reinforces Value
  CNO Ashley Edwards, MSN, RN, NE-BC, highlighted that Magnet® recognition would strengthen Rome Health's ability to attract and retain top nursing talent, thereby fostering a stronger culture of collaboration and caring. romehealth.org

3. What the Grant Makes Possible

• Targeted, Multi-Year Investment
  Awarded as part of the Foundation's $51 million Nursing Initiative, Rome Health received nearly $5 million over five years. romehealth.org
• Key Institutional Upgrades
  The funding supports consulting, certification fees, educational expenses, technology improvements, and new roles—including a virtual nurse coordinator, virtual registered nurses, a nurse informatics specialist, and an ambulatory educator.romehealth.org

4. Why It Matters

• Statewide Nursing Workforce Challenge
  This initiative responds to persistent workforce shortages, burnout, and staffing gaps across New York, especially in underserved areas. Rome Health reflected these challenges and presented credible, scalable solutions.

The application procedures and the steps required to apply

Organizations applying for MCHF grants should follow these steps:

1. Review Available Programs — check current offerings through the MCHF website, including Nursing Initiative and broader Healthcare Workforce grants.
2. Submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) — via MCHF’s online portal.
3. Prepare a Full Proposal if invited, incorporating a needs assessment, volunteer integration approach, evaluative metrics, and a detailed budget.
4. Submit Required Documentation — including IRS determination letter, board list, audited financials (or exemption), and relevant compliance policies.
5. Submit and Confirm — Align narrative and budget, proofread, and submit before deadlines; confirm receipt.

Qualifications needed for organizations to be considered.

Eligible applicants should:

• Be New York State-based nonprofits (501(c)(3), IRC 509(a)(1/2), or operating foundations)
• Address healthcare workforce development, access, or nursing support.
• Demonstrate sound governance, financial health, and alignment with Catholic ethical principles where applicable.
• Clearly structure volunteer programs with recruitment, training, and retention processes

Driving Measurable Outcomes with GridPolaris Solutions

Volunteer management and staff support are central to MCHF's funding priorities, making GridPolaris a strong fit. By integrating the software into proposals, applicants can:

• Demonstrate capacity : Track volunteer training, mentorship, and deployment.
• Measure impact : Log hours, retention, and reach to align with MCHF’s outcome focus.
• Foster collaboration : Support communication across coordinators and partners.
• Ensure compliance by using structured workflows that are aligned with HIPAA and safety standards.

Integrating GridPolaris into proposals demonstrates accountability, delivers measurable outcomes, and ensures scalability that is directly aligned with MCHF’s core funding priorities.