Between 75% and 99% of the organizations we talk to face the same challenge—securing funding for a mobile medical unit. Grants from governments and politicians can make or break these projects, but let’s be honest—navigating the process feels overwhelming.
Your organization might be wondering:
- Where do we start?
- Who do we contact?
- What if we get turned down?
These concerns are valid. Without funding, your vision for a mobile health clinic—bringing care to underserved communities—could stall. And the cost of delay? People go without care, and health gaps stay open. But here’s the good news: grants for mobile medical vehicles are within reach.
At AVAN Mobility, we’ve spent over 10 years helping organizations break barriers to healthcare and transportation. Our mobile medical units are designed to save lives and bring care where it’s needed most.
We know finding funding feels like a mountain to climb. And while we’re confident in our expertise, we also know we’re not the only manufacturer out there. Our goal is to inform and help answer some of the questions you might have. Keep reading to learn some actionable tips to approach governments and politicians for mobile medical grants.
Butterflies of Joplin: How a community’s resilience took flight with a mobile medical grant
The Community Clinic of Southwest Missouri is proof that even small towns can bounce back stronger after a disaster. When a massive tornado hit, the community refused to give up. Instead, they rebuilt—and the butterflies of Joplin became a symbol of hope and strength. Check out the video below to learn more about their story
That same determination led to something even bigger—a Mobile Clinic Van from AVAN Mobility that’s now helping people get the care they need. But it didn’t happen overnight. Four years ago, Joplin set a big goal—get a mobile medical vehicle to serve people who couldn’t afford healthcare. It was a challenge, but they made it happen.
Here’s how they did it:
They teamed up with two local hospitals. The hospitals supported the project because it helped keep people out of crowded ERs.
They secured a community development block grant. This funding gave them the boost they needed to get started.
They worked with city leaders and politicians. They showed how a mobile health clinic would help the whole town.
And the results? Instead of losing 25% of their population after the tornado, Joplin only lost 2%. Their mobile medical unit also gave the community a way to prepare for future emergencies.
How mobile medical clinics fill gaps and save lives
Joplin didn’t stop at rebuilding. Their mobile medical clinic tackled another big problem—healthcare gaps. Many people in the town made too much money for Medicaid but couldn’t afford insurance. Without help, they’d fall through the cracks.
The mobile health clinic changed that. It brought:
- Affordable primary care to people who needed it most.
- Disaster readiness, so the town could respond faster in future emergencies.
- A stronger sense of community, built on partnerships and shared goals.
This was about building stability—something every town needs. And now, when disaster strikes, Joplin’s mobile medical unit is ready to roll out and deliver care fast.
So what’s the message for politicians and government leaders? Funding mobile medical grants doesn’t just help people—it leaves a legacy. It shows leadership, builds stronger communities, and saves lives.
The butterflies of Joplin remind us that even small towns can make big changes. With the right funding, partnerships, and determination, other communities can do it too.
3 tips to approach the government/politicians for mobile medical grants?
Now that you’ve seen how Joplin turned a vision into reality with a mobile medical grant, you might be wondering—how can we do the same? The good news is, it’s possible. The even better news? You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Like Joplin, your organization has a mission—to provide healthcare to people who might otherwise go without it. And that’s exactly what government officials and politicians need to hear. They want to know how your project will make an impact, save lives, and prepare your community for emergencies.
The key to success is showing them the bigger picture—how your mobile medical clinic can reduce ER visits, fill healthcare gaps, and create long-term stability. Here’s how to start the conversation.
1. Build partnerships that prove your impact
Politicians want to back projects with community support. That’s why Joplin teamed up with local hospitals—they showed how reducing ER visits benefits everyone.
How you can do the same:
- Find local partners like hospitals, clinics, or nonprofits.
- Gather support letters from these organizations to prove your idea has backing.
- Share data and stories about who your mobile medical unit will help—people caught between Medicaid and private insurance or those in rural areas without care.
When you approach politicians, lead with facts but follow up with stories. Numbers matter, but stories stick. Show them what’s at stake and how your project will save lives and strengthen the community—just like Joplin’s did.
2. Focus on local needs and emergency preparedness
Politicians care about what affects their voters. You can gain their attention by highlighting gaps in healthcare coverage in the areas you’re thinking of providing mobile healthcare
How to make your case:
Point out underserved populations: Share stats about people who are uninsured or live in rural areas far from medical care.
Talk about emergencies: Show how your mobile medical vehicle can respond quickly during disasters like floods, power outages, and even bigger disasters like tornadoes.
Highlight cost savings: Explain how treating minor issues in a mobile clinic can prevent expensive ER visits.
Joplin rebuilt after the disaster, and their mobile clinic even prepared them for the next one. Make it clear that your project is about long-term solutions, not quick fixes.
3. Make it easy for politicians to say yes
Politicians have busy schedules, so the easier you make it for them to understand your project, the better.
How can you simplify your pitch?
Create a one-page summary: Focus on the problem, the solution, and why it matters now.
Offer clear funding options: Show them how similar grants, like Joplin’s community development block grant, made a difference.
Paint a legacy picture: Emphasize the lasting impact of supporting innovative healthcare—better health outcomes, disaster readiness, and stronger communities.
People in leadership roles want to make a difference—and they need success stories to share. Give them the tools to see your project as their next big win.
Turn challenges into opportunities with mobile medical grants
You probably came to this article because you’re wondering how to get funding for a mobile medical clinic and make a real difference in your community. Maybe you’re feeling stuck on where to start or how to get government leaders to listen.
Now you’ve seen how a small town like Joplin, Missouri, made it happen. You learned how they worked with hospitals, secured grants, and proved their mobile medical unit could save lives and close healthcare gaps. And you’ve got a step-by-step plan to do the same—building partnerships, focusing on local needs, and making your pitch easy for leaders to say yes to.
At AVAN Mobility, we’ve spent over 10 years helping organizations turn big ideas into action. We know what it takes to break down barriers to healthcare and bring care to the people who need it most. Our mobile medical vehicles are built to save lives—and so is our team. If you’re ready to take the next step, click the button below to talk to a mobility expert who’s ready to help.
Not ready to chat just yet? That’s okay. We’ve got more resources to help you learn about mobile medical grants and building your clinic. Check them out and let us know when you’re ready!
Start by checking out the video below on the cost of a mobile medical vehicle. This will give you a better idea of how much to budget.
After that, check out our video series on how to start a mobile clinic for a complete look at what’s involved!
