Special Projects is the UF Medical Guild’s grant-funding philanthropic initiative which began in the mid 1990s. The projects featured on this page demonstrate the Guild’s remarkable and wide-reaching impact on both the community and UF Health. These initiatives address diverse needs, from supporting grieving families with personalized keepsakes to empowering patients with chronic health conditions to better manage their wellness. Programs like the ACCESS Program and Healthy Heroes Day foster community engagement and education, while efforts such as Smoke Free Homes, Tobacco Free Lives contribute to healthier lifestyles for families.
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. The application period is May 1 to May 31 and awardees are notified in early to mid-September. Funds are available in mid October and are required to be spent within one year . A report of how funds were spent is due September 30 of the following year.
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. Please scroll down for lists of the past 3 years successful applicants.
2025 UFMG Special Projects Grant Application Criteria
2026 Special Projects Grant Applications will open May 1, 2026.
Special Projects Grants Awarded in 2025
UF Health Grants
- Compassion in Every Layer: 3D Printing Keepsakes for Grieving Families, UF Health Pediatric Emergency Department
- ACCESS Program (Assembling Community and Clinical Stakeholders to Empower and Strengthen FamilieS), UF Health Department of OBGYN
- Smoke Free Homes, Tobacco Free Lives, UF Health Pediatrics
- Palladium Series SPL-0300 Seated Leg Press Machine, UF Health Outpatient Rehab
- Equipping Care One Clinic Patients for Self-Management of Chronic Health Conditions, Care One Clinic
- Healthy Heroes Day, UF Health Pediatrics
- Enhancing Mobile Dental Services for Alachua County Children, UF College of Dentistry, Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science
- Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Clinic Equipment, UF Health Outpatient Rehab
- Video Frenzel Goggles for Vestibular Evaluation, UF Health Outpatient Rehab
- Cancer Chomp (2025) Wellness Corner, Dept of Neurosurgery
Community Grants
- Lincoln CARES (Career Awareness and Readiness in Essential Health Sciences),The Education Foundation of Alachua County
- Healing Through Connection: Supporting Wellness for Pediatric Burn Survivors, Embers of Hope Burn Foundation
- Community Dental Clinic at St. Patrick Catholic Church, St. Patrick Catholic Church
- Hand Camp Activities, Hands to Love
- Growing Good Habits: Combining Gardening Programs and Healthy Eating Curriculum To Grow Good Eaters, The Child Center
Special Projects Grants Awarded in 2024
UF Health Grants
- Easing the financial burden and improving QOL of children receiving home g-tube feedings; Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery
- Ergonomic Chair Implementation at Al’z Place; Al’z Place
- Keeping Up With Demand: Mobile Cancer Screening: Colposcopy, and Reproductive Health: Community Health and Family Medicine, College of Medicine
- Dental restorative care for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities; Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science
- Helping Other People Eat (HOPE) @HealthStreet ;PHHP, Epidemiology
- Adjustable Height Upper Body Ergometer; UF Health Rehabilitation Services
- Taking a STAND for Rehab;UF Health Rehabilitation Services
- UF Health Shands Bike Rodeo, Safety, and Health Fair ; UF Health Pediatrics
- Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) and Fun Program; UF Health Pediatrics
- Infant Scale for our patients with feeding problems; UF Health Rehabilitation Services
Community Grants:
- Providing Supplemental Educational Supplies to In-need Clients; Mid-Florida Agency on Aging, Inc.
- The We Care Network Dental Outreach Program; Alachua County Medical Society Foundation, Inc. We Care Physician Referral Network
- Mindful Eating – Nutritional Matters of the Mind; Pace Center for Girls, Inc. Alachua
Special Projects Grants Awarded in 2023
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