Insight Grants

Featured Grant Opportunity: Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Healthy Kids, Healthy Families Grants

Organizations with the goal of improving the health and wellness of children and their families through nutrition, physical activity, disease prevention and management, or supporting safe environments, are invited to apply online for a Healthy Kids, Healthy Families grant offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield. Grants are offered in the following states with the following application periods: Illinois (TBA), Montana (April 1-May 31, 2016), New Mexico (August 1-September 9, 2016), Oklahoma (May 2-September 2, 2016), and Texas (March 1-April 1, 2016). Links to program details and contact information for each state can be accessed here: http://www.hcsc.com/grants.html. Award ranges vary by state, and that information is often not available until the specific state’s application window opens. Your requested amount must reflect the scope of your outcomes and impact. For complete information and examples of funded projects, visit www.hcsc.com/grants.html.

By Jen Adams

Featured Grant Opportunity: 2016 AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation’s Connections for Cardiovascular Health

AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation’s Connections for Cardiovascular Health grant program will be accepting applications from February 1st to February 25th, 2016. The program grants awards in the amount of $150,000 to $180,000 annually to U.S. based nonprofit organizations working to improve cardiovascular health in their communities.

“The program must address the Foundation’s Connections for Cardiovascular Health mission and meet four key criteria: 1.) Address patient cardiovascular health issues within the United States and its territories. 2.) Recognize and work to address an unmet need related to cardiovascular health in the community. 3.) Respond to the urgency around addressing cardiovascular health issues, including cardiovascular disease or conditions contributing to cardiovascular disease. 4.) Improve the quality of participants’ and non-professional caregivers’ lives in connection with the services provided and work done.”

For complete information, access the grant details and criteria here.

 

By Jen Adams

Featured Grants: Two Opportunities for Schools in the State of Vermont

There are two grant opportunities for schools and non-profit community-based organizations in the State of Vermont with deadlines coming up in February 2016.

21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant

VT 21CCLC grants support programs that provide rich, diverse high-quality afterschool and summer extended learning opportunities for students with a focus on improving achievement and graduation rates and high-need schools. For complete information and to access the application visit the 21st CCLC Grant Information page at education.vermont.gov  Applications are due February 5th.

2016 Dairy in the Classroom Grant

Dairy in the Classroom grants increase students’ appreciation and knowledge of dairy farming, dairy products, and healthy eating through Dairy in the Classroom education and Fuel Up to Play 60. K-3 teachers are invited to apply. Schools must participate and enroll in Fuel Up to Play 60 and participate int he National School Lunch Program. Grants are available for up to 40 classrooms. Awarded schools will be provided with in class programs, hands on activities, and $200 toward field trips to cow-based dairy farms. Applications are due February 8th. For complete information visit the 2016 Dairy in the Classroom Grant page here.

 

Grant Opportunity: Healthy Kids-Healthy Schools Grants (State of Washington)

In Washington (state), the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction recently released the Healthy Kids-Healthy Schools grants. These grants are specifically equipment and/or facilities upgrades for existing schools. Grants are available for Nutrition (kitchen, cafeteria, gardens, greenhouses), Physical Activity and Physical Education (indoor and outdoor equipment, covered play structures, playground equipment), and/or Access to and Appeal of Water (water bottle filling stations).

Applicants can apply for funding for one or more topic areas. Free/reduced lunch rate is one of the factors considered, so highest-need schools as defined by free/reduce lunch rate are likely to have some competitive advantage.

Award Amounts: Grants are available for up to $200,000 per district.

Application Deadline: Applications are due 2/19/2016.

For complete information visit the Healthy Kids-Healthy School grants page.

Featured Grant Opportunity: NYSED Extended School Day/School Violence Prevention Program

The New York State Education Department has announced a new grant competition, the NYSED Extended School Day/School Violence Prevention Program. The program’s primary purpose is “to provide support to students through extended school day activities and/or school safety programs which promote violence prevention.”

Extended School Day (ESD) programs must serve students in grades PreK-12, and a total of at least 50 students must be served. ESD programming may take place before or after school, Saturdays, Sundays, and/or during the summer. ESD programs must operate at least 3 days per week for at least 2 hours per day. The RFP states ESD programs must, “Provide extracurricular enrichment activities including but not limited to athletics, academic enrichment, art, music, drama, academic tutoring, mentoring, community services and related programs that will increase student achievement and contribute to school violence prevention.”

The RFP indicates, “School safety activities include goods and services to provide safe corridors, diversity programs, collaboration with law enforcement agencies or community-based organizations, metal detectors, intercom systems and other intra-school communication devices, devices to increase the security and safety of program personnel and students. School safety activities may also include comprehensive school-based intervention models that reduce violence and improve school safety.”

Additional Details:

  • Applications are due January 8th, 2016.
  • Public school districts and not-for-profit organizations working in collaboration with a public school district(s) are eligible to apply.
  • Maximum annual request is $350,000.00 per year.  There is a per-student cap on Extended School Day activities that could reduce the individual applicant’s maximum request amount. There is no per-student cap on violence prevention activities.
  • The grant period is 5 years – from July 1st, 2016 to June 30th, 2021.
  • A total of $24.3 Million is available per year.
  • Funds will be allocated to geographic areas across NYS at: 55% to NYC, 15% to Buffalo/Rochester/Syracuse/Yonkers, and 30% to the rest of the state.
  • Applications must be submitted electronically through the new FluidReview portal at https://nysed-esdsvp.fluidreview.com/and hardcopies must also be submitted.

For complete details and grant documents visit the NYSED Extended School Day/School Violence Prevention Program page.

Featured Upcoming Grant Opportunities

Here are three upcoming significant grant opportunities:

Whole Kids Foundation Healthy Kids Innovation Grant

Program Information: The program supports the next generation of innovative ideas in children’s healthy eating and nutrition. Whole Kids aims to bring together multi-sector leaders in food, health, fitness and technology in support of the next big idea. Projects must proposed to scale up a concept that has been piloted in at least one classroom.

Who Can Apply: Open to educators, individuals, and non-profit organizations. Each application must have a partner school or district that will provide a letter of support for the programming.
Award: Grants will range from $15,000 to $25,000
Deadlines: Letters of interest due 11/30/15, full applications for invited applicants due 12/15/15

For complete information visit the Whole Kids Foundation

Build it with KaBOOM!

Program Information: KaBOOM! has ongoing grant opportunities for community partners to transform their community spaces into dream playspaces for kids.

Deadlines: Grants are ongoing and applicants are invited to apply in advance. Notifications are made as opportunities present themselves.
For complete information visit Build it with KaBOOM!

2016 Environmental Solutions for Communities Grant Program (National Fish and Wildlife Foundation)

Program Information: “Wells Fargo and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) seek to promote sustainable communities through Environmental Solutions for Communities by supporting highly-visible projects that link economic development and community well-being to the stewardship and health of the environment.”
View the Project Priorities and Project Metrics here.

Who Can Apply: Non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Indian tribes, and educational institutions.
Award: Each grant will range from $25,000 to $100,000.

Deadline:12/10/15
For complete information visit the Environmental Solution for Communitites section of NFWF

Some Upcoming Grant Opportunities: Fall 2015

Here are some featured upcoming grant opportunities:

Fuel Up To Play 60 Grants (All States)

Program Information: Up to $4,000 per year is available to qualified K-12 schools enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60 to kick start healthy changes. Grants are for approved physical activity and healthy eating “plays.”

Deadline: November 4th, 2015

2015 National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants (California)

Program Information: This grant will allow school food authorities (SFA) to purchase the equipment needed to serve healthier meals, meet the new nutritional standards with an emphasis on more fresh fruits and vegetables, improve food safety, and expand access. Awards will be up to $100,000

Deadline: November 2nd, 2015

Straight A Fund (Ohio)

Program Information: Applicants may select one of the following goals: (1.) Increased student achievement; (2.) A spending reduction in the five-year forecast or positive performance on other fiscal measures established by the Straight A Fund Governing Board; (3.) Greater share of resources directed into the classroom; and (4.) Use of a shared services delivery model that demonstrates increased efficiency and effectiveness, long-term sustainability and scaleability. Individual applicants my request up to $1 Million, and consortia may request up to $15 Million; although because only a total of $15 Million is available this year, requests for under $1 Million may receive preference/priority.

Deadline: December 1st, 2015

NYS Health Foundation 2016 Special Projects Fund (New York)

Program Information: The Special Projects Fund provides grants for projects outside of the Foundation’s two priority areas of (1) Building healthy communities and (2) Improving transparency and affordability to empower consumers. Projects serving vulnerable populations and that are expected to have large-scale or statewide impact tend to be more competitive.

Deadline: There are two cycles. The required online inquiry form deadlines are November 4th, 2015 and April 7th, 2016. Full application deadlines are December 29th, 2015 and Wednesday May 25th, 2016. Applications in which the Foundation is interested following review of the online inquiry form will be invited to submit full applications and sent information on how to do that at that time.

Colorado Health Foundation’s Out-of-School Time Physical Activity Grants (Colorado)

Program Information: This funding opportunity will support organizations to provide quality, structured physical activity in out-of-school time settings (including before school, after school and summer programs). Applicants must propose to add or expand physical activity in an existing out-of-school time program. Projects must focus on grades K-8 and serve a high proportion of students from high-need/low-income communities. The funder also requires proposed programs, “Provide a minimum of 90 minutes of structured physical activity per week, for no less than two days per week. Children must be engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) a minimum of 50 percent of the structured physical activity time.”

Deadlines: February 15th, 2016 and June 15th, 2016

Saucony Run for Good Grants (All States) 

Program Information: The Saucony Run for Good Foundation is committed to reversing obesity rates by offering children the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of running and a healthier lifestyle. Maximum award size is $10,000 to initiate, expand, or improve running programs for children and/or teens.
Deadlines: Deadlines are on February 1st and August 1st annually.

Grant Opportunity: Learning Technology Grant (NYS)

The New York State Education Department is offering funding through the 2015-2018 Learning Technology Grant Program.

“The Purpose of this grant is to help transform learning environments through the integrated use of instructional technology in classrooms and school libraries, and to provide sustained professional development to increase the skills of teachers and school librarians in the use of instructional technology in coordination and implementation of the Learning Standards of New York State ( http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/standards.html), and the New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards, ( http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/common_core_standards/). The goals of this grant are to integrate instructional technology in classrooms and school libraries to help students attain higher levels of performance in the State Learning Standards of NY and NYS Common Core Learning Standards to ensure that all New York students graduate from high school ready for college and careers.”

Examples of Learning Technology programs given include: Professional development for the integration of instructional technology purchase through the Smart Schools Bond Act, One-to-one computing programs, closing the digital divide, flipped classrooms, online and blended learning initiatives including creation or completion of course models for use in online or blended learning environments, increased broadband access, computer-based testing readiness, online learning as accommodations for students with disabilities, and school librarians as educational technology leaders.

Who Can Apply? Public school districts and BOCES. Big Five Applicants – New York City, and Big 4 – Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers –must include a primary focus on at least one school identified as “Priority” in the application to be considered for funding. Rest of State (ROS) applicants must include primary focus on at least one school identified as “Priority” or “Focus” in the application to be considered for funding. Applicants must give nonpublic schools within their boundaries the opportunity to participate. In NYC, the districts/applicants are the Community School Districts (CSD) within NYC DOE.

Awards: Maximum amount is $50,000 per project year. The grant period runs December 1, 2015 to June 30, 2018.

Deadline: Friday, September 18, 2015

To get complete information and to access the application, visit the Learning Technology grant page at NYSED.gov.

Grant Opportunity: Skills for Success (New Program Through ED)

A new grant program through the U.S. Department of Education titled “Skills for Success” is opening this week (6/11/15).

“The Skills for Success Program supports Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and their partners in implementing, evaluating, and refining tools and approaches for developing the non-cognitive skills of middle-grades students in order to increase student success. Grants provide funding for the implementation, evaluation, and refinement of existing tools and approaches (e.g. digital games, growth mindset classroom activities, experiential learning opportunities) that integrate the development of students’ non-cognitive skills into classroom-level activities and existing strategies designed to improve schools.”

The program has two absolute priorities:

Developing Non-Cognitive Skills in Middle-Grades Students and Supporting High-Need Students

Deadline: July 29th, 2015

Awards: 4 to 5 awards are expected to be made, with awards having an average size of $500,000

For complete information, look for the RFP to be available through the ED.gov Forecast of Funding Page under the Office of Innovation and Improvement. The Federal Register announcement can be viewed here.

Sharing Great Ideas in Action (NY)! Insight Sponsored Mini-Grants

Insight Grants Development has been proud to work with many NY schools to obtain funding and evaluate successes for AWESOME physical activity and healthy eating projects since 2006! We know that there are many schools out there who are doing terrific work – with and without outside funding. We know that funding sources are limited, and sustainability is always a critical challenge. In 2015, we’d like to play a part in helping spread the word about cost-effective strategies and activities that are working in NY schools.

Please join us in submitting your best projects and activities!

  • Submitted projects and activities will be featured on our blog this Fall.
  • The top 3 will receive awards of $200 each to continue making or sustaining improvements at their schools!

Interested in participating? Email a submission of no more than 2 single-spaced pages (font size 11+) that includes the information below to info@insightgrants.com by July 1, 2015!

1. Full name, address, phone number for the school, and grades served. (Up to two submissions may be sent for an individual school.)

2. Full name, title, phone number, and email address of the individual sending the submission (Teachers, principals, other school staff, parents, and coaches are all eligible to participate!)

3. Full name, phone number, and email address of the school principal and assurance the principal has been made aware of the submission.

4.   An explanation of the strategy, activity, or program you have participated in putting in place to increase physical activity and/or healthy eating at your school. Up to three strategies/activities/ programs may be included in each submission. Be sure to include for each:

a.    Name of the strategy/activity/program and date of initial implementation
b.    Whether it promotes physical activity, healthy eating, or both
c.    How it works
d.    When it is offered
e.    Who uses the strategy/activity/program (ex: PE teachers, classroom teachers, cafeteria aides, etc.) and for which participating audiences (ex: students, staff, families, etc.)
f.    Your role in putting the strategy/activity/program in place
g.    Who partnered with you to put the strategy/activity/program in place and how
h.    Why you chose to do this. Be clear about the challenges or problems at your school that needed to be addressed. If you looked at data to determine your need for the strategy/activity/program, please share that.
i.    Results you’ve seen since implementing the strategy/program/activity (IMPORTANT)
j.    If outside funding was needed, how much was received, when, and from which funder
k.    Your plans for sustainability, including any ongoing funding, equipment, training, and/or staffing needs in order to sustain these efforts and their impact

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Insight Grants