Because supportive cancer care services are not reimbursed by payers, cancer programs and practices fund most of these patient-centered services from the bottom line of their budget. But COVID-19 has made that practice increasingly challenging, and many organizations are scrambling to identify other funding sources. In this blog post, we offer practical tips and strategies for writing a successful grant.
ACCC President Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW, chose “Real-World Lessons from COVID-19: Driving Oncology Care Forward” as her 2021-2022 President’s Theme. The theme focuses on three critical lessons learned that call attention to the urgent and emerging needs of oncology programs and practices fueled by the ongoing effects of the pandemic. One lesson is that “the escalating need for high-reach, high-impact psychosocial and supportive care services require innovative care delivery models that demonstrate measurable value to the oncology ecosystem.” But during this time in which supportive cancer care services including social work, navigation, financial advocacy, and mental health services are needed the most, financial losses from the global pandemic threaten the ability of organizations to provide these critical services.
Because supportive cancer care services are not reimbursed by payers, cancer programs and practices fund most of these patient-centered services from the bottom line of their budget. But COVID-19 has made that practice increasingly challenging, and many organizations are scrambling to identify other funding sources. Philanthropic funds and federal, state, and local grants are two options. In this blog post, we offer practical tips and strategies to help.
How to Distinguish Yourself From Your Competitors
Grants are a source of financial aid given to help specific programs and projects. For cancer programs and practices, grants can help fund patient transportation, navigation, and survivorship efforts. Grant-writing for cancer programs in rural America, where many communities must find creative solutions to unique health issues, is particularly challenging, since the amount of funding allocated to rural organizations is considerably smaller per capita when compared to their urban counterparts. Rural organizations must compete for funding alongside well-prepared, well-funded organizations with experienced grant-writing teams.
For busy cancer programs and practices, the key to finding grant funding opportunities and writing successful grant proposals is identifying what organizations want to read—and fund. The Iowa Institute of Public Health Research and Policy is currently hosting a monthly Rural Cancer Collaboratory Educational webinar series, the first of which focused on grant writing for rural communities. Grant writing experts Matt McGarvey, executive director of Telligen Community Initiative, Rachel Schramm, senior outreach specialist for the Iowa Cancer Consortium, and Jason Semprini, a pre-doctoral NIH fellow at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, shared key guidelines on grant writing.
When researching grants, said the presenters, identify programs or services that align with the funder’s objectives by perusing lists, databases, and donor websites. This will also help you determine which grants are worth—and not worth—pursuing. The next step is to understand applicant eligibility and identified needs.
When writing grant proposals, you will need to gather a variety of documents, including a cover letter, project narrative, and supporting information. Letters of endorsement from members of the community explaining why a program or service is important, and an explanation of how funds will be used are key. Describe your previous, current, and future planned activities to the funder. Follow the grant organization’s guidelines to the letter and ensure that you meet all eligibility criteria. Finally, you will need to develop and provide a budget outlining how the grant money will be spent.
Once your grant proposal is submitted, respond to funder questions or requests for additional information in a timely manner. Many grants are multi-year and fund ongoing programs or services, so it is critical to develop relationships with current and prospective funders and donors. Finally, as with any transaction where money and resources are involved, it is important to show return on investment, so measure and document the grant’s impact at the conclusion of a project.
The webinar offered these additional “insider” tips to improve your chances of getting approved for funding:
The purpose of grant-writing is to not only request funding for programs and services, but also to build long-term, sustainable programs and funding relationships.
To help you get started on your grant writing journey, here are a few national grant opportunities, including some focused on funding for rural communities:
Although success is not guaranteed with any grant application, the primary focus is to share a story that will compel a funder to support your work. It is important to note, however, that most funders prefer organizations with a track record of success—including money raised—before they invest in programs or services. Therefore, the better an organization is at fundraising, the better it will be at successfully applying for a grant.
At the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting, the Louisiana Oncology Society received the ASCO Jeffrey C Ward Affiliate Advocacy Award for advancing critical advocacy priorities that have translated into meaningful legislative victories. The Iowa Oncology Society and Washington State Medical Oncology Society were also recognized for their advocacy efforts in 2025 at the meeting, receiving second place awards.
