Public health and community prevention efforts often face funding challenges. Flexible funding approaches can help organizations respond more effectively to community needs, especially factors outside of healthcare like education, food access, and transportation. These approaches also support piloting new ideas and building long-term infrastructure.

This collection of resources introduces key concepts for moving beyond traditional funding silos. It explores strategies such as braiding, blending, and layering funding to support more coordinated, sustainable work. 

The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) designed the resources for state public health departments, but the strategies also apply to community-based organizations. They highlight both the benefits (like flexibility and sustainability) and the challenges (including administrative complexity).

These materials are most helpful for nonprofit and public health leaders involved in fund development, budgeting, and long term planning.

Start with the report: Driving Impact with Flexible Funding

Additional resources:

• Report: Flexible Funding to Support Public Health Innovation
• Resource Hub: Braiding and Layering Funding to Address the Social Determinants of Health
• Public Health Review Morning Edition Podcasts: Flexible Funding Episodes
• E-Learning Module: Braiding & Layering Funding to Sustain Cross-Cutting Efforts that Benefit Multiple Programs and Funding Streams (also available in Spanish)