Health Initiatives RFP: Keep New York Covered (KNYC) 2026
Thank you all for applying to the Keep New York Covered (KNYC) program. After carefully reviewing all applications received, CSS has selected the organizations below to participate in next year’s KNYC program. CSS is working hard to secure additional funding for this project. If additional funds become available, we will revisit proposals in the spring and will be in touch if selected for a KNYC grant. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns at outreachrfp@cssny.org.
Awardees:
Arab-American Family Support Center
Council Of Peoples Organization, Inc.
Emerald Isle Immigration Center
Health and Welfare Council of Long Island
Healthy Community Alliance, Inc.
Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, Inc.
Make the Road New York
Maximizing Independent Living Choices
Mothers & Babies Perinatal Network of SCNY, Inc.
William F. Ryan Community Health Center, Inc.
South Asian Council for Social Services
The Community Service Society (CSS) invites non-profit community-based enrollment organizations to participate in a unique opportunity to receive funding for outreach and marketing of enrollment services through the grant-funded Keep New York Covered (KNYC) project.
In March 2023, CSS launched the KNYC project in partnership with a consortium of eight private foundations to promote awareness about the need for New York consumers to renew their coverage once the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) ended. The KNYC project funded 36 community-based organizations (CBOs) that were able to conduct nearly 69 million outreach touchpoints with New Yorkers through in-person events, social media posts, and paid advertising. This marketing effort led to the renewal of more than 103,000 people since March 2023.
While the PHE unwind has come to an end, many New Yorkers still need help with understanding how to maintain their coverage during their next recertification process, navigating benefit and programmatic changes, and preparing for possible shortfalls in federal premium assistance funding. The passage of H.R. 1 further underscores the urgency of these challenges, as federal policy changes may affect eligibility and coverage for vulnerable communities. You can view the RFP here.
Q&A
Q: Will you be selecting a smaller number of CBOs for Y4?
Yes, due to limited funding, we anticipate selecting between 6 to 10 CBOs to ensure that each receives adequate support and resources.
Q: Can my agency apply for less than $20k?
Yes, you are welcome to request less than $20,000. We encourage applicants to request the amount that best aligns with their proposed scope of work and organizational capacity.
Q: We are very interested in applying, but we are no longer health navigators; we are currently just Certified Application Counselors (CAC). Would a CAC work for this contract as well?
Due to limited resources, CSS is strongly prioritizing Navigator and FEABD organizations for this grant.
Q: Can we use the media content (ads, video, radio) that was already used previously in our KNYC campaigns, or will we need new material to reflect a different message or phrase for the new contract year?
There is not a specific message or phrase required in new outreach materials. However, if awarded, we ask that all previously used KNYC marketing materials be adjusted as necessary for the new contract period and submitted to CSS for approval.
Q: Are you planning to award new contracts in this upcoming round?
CSS plans to prioritize applications from previous KNYC applicants, but new applications are definitely welcome. Immigrant serving groups are strongly encouraged to apply. We’ve seen a high interest in this grant and anticipate that many previous KNYC grantees will submit applications.
Q: The RFP indicates the 2nd page of the Cover Form is not needed if not using a Fiscal Conduit. Is it correct that organizations NOT using a fiscal conduit do not need to submit this signature page (i.e., no signature needed from Board Chair and CEO)?
Correct, organizations not applying fiscal conduit do not need to submit this signature page (Cover Form Page 2).
Q: We struggled to meet our enrollment deliverables during our previous participation in the program. What are the deliverable expectations for this grant?
Enrollment deliverables are set by each agency. We ask everyone to estimate how many enrollments they anticipate resulting from the KNYC-funded outreach. We then use those self-reported metrics to help measure progress.
Q: What is the financial invoicing process for this grant?
We only request an invoice at three different times during the grant; no backup is required.
