Evaluating County Health Department Infrastructure Changes Intended to Improve Access to Federal Funding for Community-Based Organizations, Maricopa County, Arizona

In 2021, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health in Maricopa County, Arizona, modified its subcontracting process to engage more community-based organizations that serve populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The change allowed subrecipients to receive 40% of grant funding up front. An evaluation found that providing up-front funding engaged smaller-budget organizations. However, factors such as administrative requirements and formal policies associated with government partnerships limited the perceived benefits of up-front funding. These findings are relevant for entities seeking to improve access to federal funding. ( Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S7):S562–S565. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307740 )