The problem of programmatic funding: flexibility challenges for community health centers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Community Health Centers (CHCs) are a vital part of the health safety net, providing high quality care to underserved communities with complex health and social needs. Yet, despite their crucial role, CHCs operate on slim financial margins, relying in part on grant funding streams. Little is known about the role that grant requirements have in directing the functioning of CHCs.

Methods

We conducted qualitative thematic analysis, based on 56 semi-structured interviews of CHC leadership and staff in New York City.

Results

Three overarching themes described ways that CHCs are hampered by the designs and requirements of grant funding: 1) narrowness of available funding, 2) lack of access to operational funding, and 3) inability to utilize available funding to a

SUBMITTER: Burroughs E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11823083 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature