Special Projects is the UF Medical Guild’s grant-funding philanthropic initiative which began in the mid 1990s. In May, grant applications are advertised and accepted. The Special Projects Committee accepts applications from UF, UF Health and local non-profit community health organizations for funding to support their programs.
100% of the money that is awarded is used only for the projects. The Guild does not fund administrative and overhead fees. We only fund not-for-profit (non-profit) organizations. If funded, please note that you will be asked to provide your 501C3 number and a report of how the funds were spent. Our most recent grant criteria can be found here.
In October of previous years, the grant recipients participated in a poster session where they presented their projects to the Guild members. In 2020 and 2021, the presentations switched to a Zoom teleconference format.
In October 2023, grant recipients made their presentations in-person and via Zoom teleconference. Forty-one grant applications requesting a total of almost $250,000 were reviewed by the Special Projects Committee. Thirteen grants were awarded totaling $55,000.
Typically in May of each year, the Special Projects Committee invites applications from UF Health and Gainesville/Alachua County community organizations to apply for these grants.
Coming soon this spring
2024 Special Projects Grant Application
Applications will be accepted beginning May 1 until midnight on May 31, 2024 from UF Health departments and local non-profit community health organizations.
Special Projects Grants Awarded in 2023 ($55,000)
UF Health Grants
- Brain Cancer in Kids & Adults: Controlling CINV When All Else Fails; Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology
- Fertility Preservation Support for Newly Diagnosed Males with Cancer; UF Health HOPE Network, UF Health OB-GYN
- Software and Surgical Education Models for Use at UF Health Shands; Dream Team Engineering, UF Corporation/UF Health
- Medication Compliance Tools for Chronic Dialysis Patients; UF Health Dialysis Center
- Oral Health Promotion for Children with Sensory Sensitivities; UF College of Dentistry, Saving Smiles Program
- Oral, Gastrointestinal, and Bloodborne Pathogen Treatment and Prevention Program; UF College of Medicine, Homeless Outreach and Street Medicine Program
UF Health Rehabilitation and UF Health Pediatrics
- Liver Transplant Mobility Initiative – Gait and Standing Device; UF Health Rehabilitation
- Updated Equipment for Training and Pediatric Patient Assessment; UF Health Pediatrics
- Video Frenzel Goggles for Vestibular Evaluation; UF Health Rehabilitation
- Innovative Biofeedback Device to Facilitate Recovery for Physical Therapy Patients; UF Health Rehabilitation
- Medical Plaza Oncology Patient Support, Compression Garments; UF Health Rehabilitation
Community Grants
- Nourishing Our Future: Feeding Alachua County Kids; Food4Kids
- Alachua Area Medical Reserve Corps Free Mental Health Clinic at GRACE; Grace Healthcare Services Corporation/Grace Clinic
Special Projects Grants Awarded in 2022 ($55,000)
UF Health Grants
- Safety & Comfort for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Bone Marrow Transplant; Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- LifeGlider; Department of Pediatrics/Child Health Research Institute
- Supporting Patients and Caregivers in the UF Health Pediatric Surgery G-tube Clinic; Pediatric Surgery Department/Pediatric Specialties
- Butterfly Cart; Pediatric Emergency Department
- Scooterboards for Pediatric Rehab; UF Health Rehab Center for Kids
- Alternative Load for Functional and Isolation Training; UF Health Adult Outpatient Rehab – Magnolia Park
- Updated Equipment for Novel Strength Training Methods; UF Health Rehab OSMI
- Reach Out and Read Program; UF Health General Pediatrics Primary Care
- MotionMgix Interactive Floor Games for Pediatric Burn Clinic Waiting Room; UF Health Pediatric Burn Clinic
- From First Contact: Minimizing Children’s Emotional Trauma Through EMS; UF Health Pediatric Trauma Services/Child Life
- Blaze Pods for Outpatient Physical Therapy; UF Health Rehab – Haile Plantation
Community Grants
- Bridging the Digital Divide for the Developmentally Disabled; The Arc of Alachua County
- Updating Dental Equipment for Low-Income Patients; Gainesville Community Ministry
- AAMRC Women’s Clinic; GRACE
- The Comfort of Food: Providing Nutrition with Familiar Foods; Forage Inc., DBA Working Food
- Gentle Carousel’s Family and Patient Visitations; Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses
- Foster Training Family Program; Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc.
UF Grant
- Virtual Reality Experiences for UF Inpatients; Florida Museum of Natural History
Special Projects Grants Awarded in 2021 ($55,000)
UF Health Grants
- Rifton Tram for Therapy Intervention; UF Heart Vascular Neuromedicine Rehabilitation
- Pediatric Clinic Positioning and Gross Motor Equipment; UF Health Rehabilitation for Kids
- Becoming the Best YOU Chronic Disease Self Management for Underserved Patients; UF Health Mobile Outreach Clinic
- Utilization of Mid-Upper Arm Circumference to Diagnose Pediatric Malnutrition; UF Health Food and Nutrition
- Phasing Out Phlebotomy Fear; UF Health Department of Pediatrics
- Care One Clinic Financial Assistance Co-Pay Program; UF Health Care One Clinic
- Care One Clinic Daily Diabetes Maintenance Project; UF Health Care One Clinic
- Rapael Smart Pegboard; UF Health Rehabilitation Occupational Therapy
- Therapeutic Horticulture Program for Patients; UF Health Psychiatric Hospital
- Homeless Outreach and Street Medicine Program; UF College of Medicine
Community Grants
- Girls on the Run of Alachua County; Girls on the Run
- Helping Seniors and their Caregivers Overcome Vaccine Hesitancy; Elder Options
- Seed-to-Plate Empowerment; Forage Inc. DBA Working Food
- Enhancing Dental Equipment Services for Low-Income Patients; Gainesville Community Ministry
- Art for Everyone, No Experience Needed; Gainesville Opportunity Center