Program Overview

Launched in 2011, this humanitarian program helps new and existing free clinics to care for the uninsured in areas of need across the United States by providing grants for the purchase of tangible items, such as exam tables, EHR systems, and medical equipment. Family Medicine Cares USA also gives AAFP members, residents, and students the opportunity to volunteer their time and talents.

There are over 30 million uninsured people in the United States. Existing free clinics have seen a dramatic increase patient demand with the majority of these patients coming from working households. The need far exceeds existing capacity. There is and  will continue to be an underserved population of people, both adults and children, who simply fall through the cracks of the healthcare system.

Our Partner: National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics

The AAFP Foundation does not directly start and maintain free clinics, but collaborates with a non-profit organization, the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC), and its Volunteers in Medicine Program which has a tested model for developing and supporting sustainable, locally supported free clinics.

Application Details

Applications are accepted from March 15 until July 15 11:59 p.m. (CDT). If you're interested in applying for a grant, please read the requirements and guidelines.

Clinic application and guidelines tab: Family Medicine Cares USA (FMC USA) provides monetary grants of up to $25,000 to help new free clinics open their doors. Applicants for a new clinic FMC USA grant must have opened or will open within six months of the application deadline, received or are in the process of receiving the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics Seal of Excellence, has an AAFP member in a leadership role within the clinic, and met the specified criteria as stated in the Grant Guidelines and Requirements below.

The priority of FMC USA is to support the opening of new free clinics. However, if funds are available, FMC USA also provides grants up to $10,000 to existing clinics to help care for the uninsured in their communities. Grant applications are accepted from clinics who have an AAFP member in an active leadership role within the organization and meet the specified criteria as stated in the Grant Guidelines and Requirements below. Priority will be given to clinics with an AAFP member serving as medical director and to those who have Family Medicine residents and/or medical students involved as volunteers. 

Please read the Clinic Guidelines and Requirements(4 page PDF) before applying. Application examples are available for new and existing clinics.

How to Apply

Clinic Application

We encourage all to apply and are committed to supporting new free and existing clinics in the areas of need who reflect the rich diversity of the specialty and the patients served.

Application opens March 15 and closes July 15 at  11:59 p.m., Central Time. 

Questions? Contact Sharon Hunt or call (800) 274-2237, ext. 6006.

Family Medicine Cares USA: Grant Award Recipients

As of 2024, Family Medicine Cares USA has awarded over $2.1M to 131 clinics in 38 states and one U.S. Territory. To view the locations of grant award recipients, please refer to the map.

*New clinic

2024 Award Recipients

• Compassionate Care, Corpus Christi, TX*
• Philadelphia College of Osteopedic Medicine – South Georgia, Moultrie Georgia*
• Horizons Community Clinic, Cleveland, OH*
• The Edward R. Leahy Jr. Clinic for the Uninsured, Scranton, PA*
• MY Project USA Hilltop Free Clinic, Columbus, OH*
• Hartville Migrant Ministry, Hartville, OH
• Heritage Community Clinic, Athens, OH
• Seager Memorial Clinic, Ogden, UT
• Harrisburg Family Health Care, Augusta, GA
• The Luke Clinic, Whitmore Lake, MI

Make a Donation

If you would like to be part of this rewarding work in the U.S., but do not feel like you can commit the time to volunteer, please consider making a donation. Please know that through your donation you are making a difference by helping those in need.