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Glossary
The terms defined here are not intended to represent a definitive glossary of terms for the health care industry or for the nonprofit community in New Hampshire, the United States, or those visiting our website from other countries. We selected terms that can have ambiguous meanings, and that we use in our mission statement and in our grantmaking goals. Some of the terms defined here may help an organization in the composition of a Letter of Inquiry, and when the organization is formally invited by the HNHfoundation to apply for a grant.

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access
The timely use of personal health services to achieve the best possible health outcomes.

advocacy
Taking part in efforts to create or effect change in policies or systems. Advocacy efforts can take many forms, including education, media, direct action, and lobbying. Funding from the HNHfoundation may not be used to influence specific legislation; to influence the outcome of, or participate in, any public election; or to carry on—directly or indirectly—any voter registration drive.

--- B ---

barrier
Any obstacle that restricts or prevents enrollment and retention in New Hampshire's Children's Health Insurance Program. Examples include language, transportation or economic barriers.

best practices
Strategies, programs, and initiatives that have been formally evaluated and documented as consistently producing positive, desired results.

bridge grant
A term used when monies awarded through a HNHfoundation Grant are used to fill an urgent, short-term gap in the funds needed to provide essential services. An application for this type of funding must provide descriptions of current need and provisions for long-term funding.

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capacity
The organizational structure, management and staff skills, technical resources, and operating methods of an organization that determine its ability to solve problems, create and sustain services and programs, and generate resources and support.

collaboration
A group of organizations working together to achieve a common goal by planning, designing, and implementing a project. In this effort, all organizations involved exchange information, share resources, enhance the capacities of each other, and alter their normal activities to achieve the goal.

community needs assessment
Documented research that demonstrates the needs of the target population of a project, as opposed to the needs of the applicant organization. Research includes consulting with members of the public, community organizations, service providers, and local government officials to identify and prioritize community health and health care needs.

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data
Information collected to support a decision or describe an outcome.

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education
Initiatives that provide skills or knowledge that help fulfill the HNHfoundation mission to evaluate and promote access to health care insurance in New Hampshire, and promote healthy lifestyles.

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fiscal agent
An organization that serves as the financial agent for an applicant organization, if that service is necessary. The fiscal agent of an applicant organization may, or may be not, accountable to the HNHfoundation for the financial outcomes of the grant. The responsibilities of the fiscal agent depend upon the agreed-upon responsibilities of the fiscal agent.

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goal
A broad, measurable statement that describes the desired long-term (5 to 10 years) impact of a project. For example, a goal might be to reduce the number of children in the greater Nashua area who have no health insurance from 10% to 3%, over a five-year period.

grant
Money awarded to an organization to support a project.

--- H ---

health
The state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This is the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of "health".

health insurance
Financial protection against the health care costs arising from disease, accidental bodily injury, or the direct provision of health care.

Health insurance usually covers all or part of the costs of treating the disease or injury. Such insurance may be obtained on either an individual or group basis. Charity care or direct provision by safety net providers is not considered a form of insurance coverage.

Although the term is often used by policy makers to refer to comprehensive coverage, insurers and regulators also use it to refer to other forms of coverage, such as long-term care insurance, supplemental insurance, specified disease policies, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.

healthy lifestyles
The adoption of behaviors—such as eating nutritious foods, being physically active, and avoiding tobacco use—that prevent or control the devastating effects of chronic disease.

--- I ---

innovative projects
A project that will facilitate systemic change in the health care system-projects with a potential for broad impact and measurable, long-term benefit.

--- L ---

letter of inquiry
A letter to the HNHfoundation that reflects a project idea, and an organization's request that the HNHfoundation consider this idea/project for funding. A Letter of Inquiry may lead to an invitation from the HNHfoundation that the organization apply for a grant.

leveraged funds
Monies to be received from sources other than the HNHfoundation if the applicant receives an award from the HNHfoundation. Potential (or secured) leveraged funds should be identified in the project budget.

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project
A description of the total effort to be undertaken by the applicant organization in order to achieve the goals set forth in the Letter of Inquiry, including specific activities for which funds are sought from the HNHfoundation.

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sustainability
The ability of the outcomes of a project to become integrated into the health system(s) that impact a target population, and that no longer require HNHfoundation funding.

systemic change
A permanent change to any of the underlying system(s) that impact a target population. Ultimately, systemic change may require a change in public policy.

--- T ---

target population
The group of persons whose health status is expected to be directly improved by the project.

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underserved population
A group of people, who for a variety of reasons, do not have equal access to health care insurance, and/or knowledge or skills that would otherwise enable them to have access to the health care system, and live healthy lifestyles.

underinsured population
Individual and family situations in which the health insurance policy or health benefits plan is less than complete and comprehensive. For example, the family may lack coverage for specific services, have a maximum benefits limit or cap on covered services, or have a high copayment or coinsursance rate.