Insight Grants

Featured Grant Opportunity: The Highmark Foundation’s Creating a Healthy School Environment Grants

The Highmark Foundation is building lasting change in schools through their Creating a Healthy School Environment grant program.  The grants are available to schools in central and western Pennsylvania and in West Virginia who present programs within three categories in order to improve health and wellness in their schools: Building Sustainable and Lasting Changes in Schools; Advancing Excellence in School Nursing Awards; and Meeting Health Needs Through Supportive Services. Creating a Healthy School Environment grants fall under the Building Sustainable and Lasting Changes in Schools focus area. Priority Areas for the grant program are Bullying Prevention, Child Injury Prevention, Healthy Eating and Physical Activity, and Environmental Health. Applicants must select one and only one priority area on which to focus their funding requests.

In Pennsylvania, grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to 20 districts implementing programs that improve access to quality school-based health and wellness programs. Mini-grants up to $5,000 will also be awarded to 20 non-public (private, parochial and charter) schools in Pennsylvania. Schools in West Virginia are only eligible to apply for $5,000 mini-grants; awards will be granted to 15 schools.

Applications due Friday, March 18, 2016.  You can find more information at the Highmark website www.Highmarkfoundation.org or follow this link for complete program guidelines:  http://www.highmarkfoundation.org/pdf/2016 CreatingHealthySchoolEnvironmentGrant.pdf.

By Jen Adams

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 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: PHIT America Go! Grants

The grant competition for PHIT America Go! Grants is now open. This program funding is designed to “Jumpstart more movement at your elementary school with the Go! Grant.”

Projects Supported: Grants support more minutes on the move before, during, and after school through funds and gear for new classroom and playground programs.
Who Can Apply: Public or charter schools enrolled or willing to enroll in Let’s Move! Active Schools with little to no organized physical activity offered to students at present. Projects must serve students age 5-12. A list of complete project guidelines is available here.

Awards: Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000.

Deadline: Applications are due June 1, 2015.

Please note that while some information sources refer to these grants as “mini PEP grants,” this grant program is NOT the Carol M. White Physical Education Program grant–or PEP grant–program. Go! Grants are an entirely separate opportunity being offered by PHIT America, NOT the US Department of Education.

To get the application and see complete program information including resources and tools, visit the grant page at the Kids in the Game website.

 

Grant Opportunity: The Colorado Health Foundation’s Out-of-School-Time Physical Activity Grant

Who is offering this grant? The Colorado Health Foundation

What is the purpose? Provide high quality, structured physical activity in out-of-school-time settings. Specifically, the foundation is interested in receiving proposals for: implementation or enhancement of quality, structured physical activity opportunities in out-of-school-time settings (school- or community-based programs).

What types of activities might be supported? Funds can be used to start new or to maintain/expand existing effective physical activity programs in established out of school time settings (out-of-school-time includes before school, after school, school breaks and summer programs). The Foundation will fund the following: Purchase of curriculum, Equipment for structured activity time, Staff development/training costs, Personnel costs for staff directly implementing the program, Sport specific activities if embedded in existing out-of-school time program, Evaluation costs.

Who can apply? Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and public agencies that currently implement an out-of-school-time program targeting youth in kindergarten through eighth grade. Proposals to support establishment of entirely new out-of-school-time programs will not be funded. Applicants must demonstrate that they serve a high proportion of youth from low-income families; percentage of children eligible for free and reduced school meals, average family income or other indicators of low income will be considered to determine low-income status.

When is the application due? June 15, 2015.

How much can I request? Award range not specified; but past grant awards have ranged from $30,000-$300,000.

Do I have to offer a match of any kind? No.

How long is the project period? They will consider proposals for up to two years of funding. Programs must be at least six weeks in length.

Is there anything else I should know? Associated Measurable Results: Applicants will be asked to indicate how their work will numerically: Increase number of children and adults who engage in moderate or vigorous physical activity.

  • Preference will be given to proposals serving children from families living on low incomes in the top 10 regions with high rates of childhood obesity (as defined by CDPHE’sHealth Statistics Regions). These regions have rates of childhood obesity ranging from 13.6 to 26.2 percent and include the following regions: Region 4 (El Paso County); Region 6 (Huerfano, Las Animas, Crowley, Otero, Bent, Kiowa, Prowers and Baca counties); Region 7 (Pueblo County); Region 9 (Dolores, Montezuma, San Juan, La Plata and Archuleta counties); Region 12 (Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin, Grand, and Summit counties); Region 13 (Lake, Chaffee, Fremont and Custer counties); Region 14 (Adams County); Region 15 (Arapahoe County); Region 20 (Denver County); Region 21 (Jefferson County).
  • Program must dedicate at least 20 percent or at least 30 minutes of program time to structured physical activity for a part-day program (60 minutes for a full-day program), most days of the week. Children must be engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) a minimum of 50 percent of the structured physical activity time.

How can I find out more? Visit the Colorado Health Foundation’s website to view application guidelines and online application at http://www.coloradohealth.org/yellow.aspx?id=6803.

Grant Opportunities: Digital Wish Technology Grants and Teaching Resources

By Jen Adams

Who is offering this grant? Digital Wish is a nonprofit organization that believes that every child deserves a technology-rich education that will provide them with the skills necessary to excel in the global economy.

What is the purpose? Digital Wish is a non-profit on a mission to help teachers solve technology shortfalls in their classrooms. Apply for grants, create a wish list of technology your classroom needs, and share lesson plans and fundraising ideas with fellow educators across the country. Digital Wish also provides a searchable library of grants and a myriad of ideas for fundraising. The entire site is designed to empower teachers to find funding for technology for their classrooms.

What types of activities might be supported? Digital Wish supports specific technology initiatives each month. By submitting a lesson plan that responds to the targeted material, educators have an opportunity to receive curricula and associated materials free of cost. After registering at the Digital Wish site, you can login and submit a technology-based lesson plan for a chance to win over 50 different technology grants. In addition to serving as your grant application, every lesson plan you enter will be automatically added to your classroom’s profile, allowing you to share technology integration ideas with colleagues and fellow educators across the country! Examples of current grant opportunities are listed below.

·         Digital Citizenship and Cyber Safety – April – Digital Citizenship IT Curriculum Unit Package ($199.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015
Submit a lesson plan on cyber safety or digital citizenship and qualify for a Digital Citizenship IT Curriculum Unit Package awards. Students will be well-prepared to use technology every day in a safe, respectful, and responsible way. Digital Citizenship Unit contains an instructor preparation checklist and four important lessons: Digital Citizens and the Internet; Cyber Safety; Safety Skits for Reinforcement; Copyright in the Classroom.
·         Autism Awareness Month – Tool Factory’s Autism Software Bundle for Interactive Devices ($249.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015
Create and submit a unique lesson plan on inclusive teaching techniques with autistic elementary students. Lesson plans utilizing tablets and interactive devices are encouraged. Award: Tool Factory’s Autism Bundle that offers tools to: Encourage collaboration; Develop concentration and attention; Inspire imaginative play; Promote reading / early literacy; Teach emotional literacy.
·         Mobile Devices in the Classroom – April – 1 Dell Venue Pro Smartphone ($399.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015
·         Let’s Get Podcasting – Simple Guide to Podcasting Book/Cd Set and the Adventures in Podcasting! Incredible Lesson Plans for Your Classroom Book/CD Set! Plus Tool Factory Podcasting w/Video Software ($100.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015 11:59:59 PM
·         Collaborative Writing and Debating – April – Classroom Collaboration and Debate Curriculum Unit Package ($199.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015
Write and submit a lesson plan on collaborative writing or debating and you may be awarded a Classroom Collaboration and Debate Curriculum Unit Package. Using the Classroom Collaboration and Debate Curriculum Unit Package students will become editors of their own classroom wiki or other collaborative website. The right wiki program will allow students to post questions, pictures for analysis, or documents for group editing. They will also be able to see their classmates’ work and give feedback digitally, creating a classroom environment that gives all students a voice and nourishes and fosters fresh ideas. Moreover, it is an excellent opportunity to practice good digital citizenship.

Who can apply? Teachers and educators from private and public schools across the nation. Find your school and register here: http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/grant_awards.

When is the application due? There are specific deadlines associated with technology initiatives which change on a monthly basis (see sample grants and deadlines above).

How much can I request? Grants are awarded in the form of technology and/or associated curricula and materials. See examples above.

When will the awards be made? Grants will be awarded on the 15th of every calendar month after the grant application deadline

Is there anything else I should know? Lesson plans may cover any subject area. For monthly recurring grants, you don’t have to reapply to be considered. Relevant lesson plans will be stored and reevaluated each month.

Judging Criteria

  • Guideline adherence. Lesson plans must follow the directions outlined in each grant’s description.
  • Coherency. Lesson plans must be well-organized and well-written.
  • Proper Grammar Usage, Punctuation, and Spelling. Lessons should contain no grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors.
  • Curriculum Relevance. Lesson plans must be curriculum-oriented.
  • Creativity and Fun. Lesson plans must be unique and exciting to implement.
  • Student Involvement. Lesson plans must encourage student participation.
  • Technology Integration. Lesson plans must incorporate technology.

How can I find out more? Visit the Digital Wish site at: http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/grants and view the full grants calendar.

Grant Opportunity: Aetna GoLocal Cultivating Healthy Communities Grant Program Presents: Local Roots: Supporting Community Gardens, Urban Farms, and Farmers Markets

By Jen Adams

Who is offering this grant? The Aetna Foundation–their mission is to promote wellness, health, and access to high-quality healthcare for everyone, while supporting the communities they serve.

What is the purpose? Through this RFP, the foundation will fund the creation and expansion of community gardens, urban farms, and farmers markets in underserved neighborhoods so that fresh fruits and vegetables are locally available, accessible, and affordable.

What types of activities might be supported? Programs that aim to make fresh fruits and vegetables locally available, accessible, and affordable will be considered. Beyond the garden, farm or farmers market itself, projects must also include one or more of the following:

  • Nutrition education or cooking classes focused on the health benefits of fresh produce
  • Growth or distribution of produce that reflects the food traditions of the target area
  • Opportunities to learn job skills or entrepreneurship within the context of gardens, farms or farmers markets
  • Opportunities for community service or volunteer work with the project

Who can apply? To apply, you must be a nonprofit organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or a state or local government agency. State government agencies, such as public universities, are eligible. Local government agencies eligible to apply include towns/cities or public schools. However, federal government agencies, such as national parks, are not eligible to apply.

How much is available? In 2015, the GoLocal Cultivating Healthy Communities Grants Program is expected to award a total of $1 million through this RFP.

When is the application due? Proposals will be accepted until May 6, 2015 (5 p.m. ET).

How much can I request? Grant awards will be a minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of $50,000 over two years. Projects will receive a maximum of $25,000 per year.

Do I have to offer a match of any kind? No.

How long is the project period? Projects must be 12 – 24 months long and start after October 15, 2015.

When will the awards be made? By September 15, 2015.

Is there anything else I should know? Programs for matching funds for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits doubling programs and programs that focus only on food distribution will not be funded. We will consider programs that focus on food distribution only as part of a larger program.

In previous years, organizations had to serve specific geographic areas to be eligible to apply. That is NO LONGER the case. In 2015, the program was opened to organizations in all 50 states.

You can submit your application and supporting documents through the Aetna Foundation’s online grant application portal.

How can I find out more? Visit the Aetna Foundation’s website at: http://www.aetna-foundation.org/foundation/index.html. The Local Roots RFP and program details are available here: http://www.aetna-foundation.org/foundation/apply-for-a-grant/regional-grants/index.html. You can ask questions about the RFP by e-mail at aetnafoundation@aetna.com, with the subject line “Aetna Foundation Local Roots grant program inquiry.”

Grant Opportunity: HEROES Grant Program (IN, IL, KY)

Who is offering this grant? Welborn Baptist Foundation, Inc.

What is the purpose? The HEROES (Healthy Energetic, Ready, Outstanding, Enthusiastic Schools) initiative supports schools in select counties in Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky in making healthy changes to eating and physical activity habits by implementing the CDC’s research-based and proven Coordinated School Health (CSH) model. The aim of this program is comprehensive school wellness improvement.

What types of activities might be supported? HEROES funding supports implementation of the Coordinated School Health (CSH) components pertinent to healthy weight. Five of the eight of the CSH components pertain to healthy weight, and activities that support these areas will be eligible for funding. The components are: Health Education, Physical Education, Nutrition Education, Health Promotion for Staff, and Family and Community Involvement.

Who can apply? In 2015, the competition is open to elementary and middle schools with food services located in the following states and counties (only):

  • Indiana: Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick Counties
  • Kentucky: Henderson County
  • Illinois: Gallatin, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, and White Counties

Applications for high schools may be accepted in 2016—watch for more information at a later date.

Individual schools rather than districts are encouraged to apply. Past experience with this program has revealed to the funder that bottom-up efforts are more successful than top-down efforts.

When is the application due? The deadline is April 30, 2015 at 12 pm.

How much can I request? Schools are eligible to receive up to $17,750 in Year 1, up to $17,450 in Year 2, and up to $25,200 in Year 3. Please note that funder provides limits for each budget category and several line items that must be included in the budget to ensure a high-quality project aligned with its mission and priorities that is likely to succeed based on past experience.

Do I have to offer a match of any kind? No.

How long is the project period? Three years. *The expectation of WBF, Inc. is that the school will permanently continue its commitment by sustaining the wellness coordinator position, maintaining an active wellness council, and preserving the aims of the HEROES initiative.

Is there anything else I should know? Completion of School Health Index is required but can occur prior to application or after an award has been made. If the school has already completed the School Health Index, the results of that assessment (score card) should be attached to your application.

All applicants must also attach letters of support from the following entities stating how their positions will assist in the implementation of healthy school policy and environmental change: Superintendent, School Principal, School Food Service Manager, School PTO/PTA/Booster Organization President, Physical Education Department Head, School Athletic Director (if applicable).

The funder is looking for schools truly committed to and ready for comprehensive positive changes and improvement related to school, student, and staff wellness, and the program’s rules, requirements, and budget stipulations reflect this. This grant is ideal for schools with strong support from the administration and commitment from staff for school wellness changes. It is probably not the best fit for a school just looking to address one area of school wellness or only to obtain equipment.

How can I find out more? Visit the official program site and read the RFP. If you have questions regarding the application, you may contact: Rhonda Meade rmeade@welbornfdn.org Welborn Baptist Foundation, Inc. 812-437-7803 (cell: 812-881-7523). Please note Ms. Meade encourages interested schools to set up a meeting in person or via phone to discuss their current and planned programs and resources prior to applying to help the school ensure they are in a strong position to apply for this program at this time.

 

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Insight Grants