Insight Grants

Carol M. White PEP grant competition opens Monday, 3/21/2016!

The Federal Register Notice that will officially open the 2016 PEP grant competition will  be posted MONDAY, 3/21/2016. This is very likely to be the final PEP grant competition ever, so this is particularly exciting.

 

The grant deadline will be 60 days from the Notice publication date and will be listed in the final publication on Monday.

The full RFP may be available Monday, or it may take a few days. The release is not always immediate. Grants.gov submission is required, and the grants.gov application package will be available for download by Tuesday.

A few quick notes:

  • Recommended award range is now $200,000 – $800,000 per year, with average size expected to be $500,000 per year.
  • Total amount available for new awards is $23 Million.
  • Awards are still for 1, 2, or 3 years. Forward funding will apply as anticipated. This means funds for all years of each awardee’s grant will come out of this year’s $23 Million since this is the last year of funding.
  • Anticipated number of awards is 15—this could go up or down some depending on the size of the requests of the applicants chosen for awards.
  • There are three opportunities for bonus points via Competitive Preference Priorities. The first involves partnerships. The other two are related to student achievement.
  • There is an Invitational Priority (not required and not attached to any additional points) for discussion of Evidence of Promise–research showing program elements are proven to work.

If you’d like assistance, please contact us today. Good luck to all applying!

2016 Carol M. White PEP grants coming soon!

The Carol M. White Physical Education Program–also know as the PEP grant–will be holding what is almost certain to be its last competition this spring. This is because the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which goes into effect in 2017, did not include PEP as an authorized program. Congress did, however, appropriate $47 Million to PEP for 2016, and PEP is still authorized for this year. Insight was able to confirm with US ED PEP Program Manager Carlette KyserPegram a little over a month ago that US ED does plan to hold a PEP grant competition in 2016.

For months now the US Department of Education’s Forecast of Funding Opportunities has indicated PEP may open on or around 3/15/2016 with applications due on or around 5/13/2016. While those dates could change at any time, and we won’t know for certain when the application period will be until the actual RFP is released, this information suggests the application period could open as soon as this coming Tuesday. Therefore, organizations interested in applying should begin preparing immediately, if they aren’t already doing so.

PEP is always very competitive, with just 5-18% of applicants nationwide receiving awards depending on the competition year. Here are a few reasons why PEP is expected to be even more competitive than usual in 2016:

  • Due to PEP not being included as an authorized program under ESSA, 2016 will almost certainly be the last time ever that PEP will be funded. Many districts will be looking to apply this year since it will be their last chance.
  • Since PEP cannot receive funding after 2016, US ED was considering applying a forward funding approach to this year’s awards. If that happens, that would mean that the applicants selected through the competition would have all of their grant years funded out of the 2016 appropriation, rather than just the first year which is the usual approach. This means each award would cost the 2016 PEP appropriation the full project period cost rather than the just the first year cost. Ultimately, this would mean fewer total awards could be made.
  • Fewer funds are available in total than in previous years because the Congressional appropriation was lower than in most PEP years at $47 Million total compared to the $70-80 Million total for most of the program’s past years.
  • The last PEP competition was held 3 years ago in 2013. The last set of new awards were made 2 years ago in 2014, but only high-scoring but non-winning applicants from the 2013 were eligible for consideration. Many districts have literally waited years for a chance to apply, and some of them have been preparing for most of that time.

Preparation will be critical to applications being highly competitive!

If you’re not too familiar with PEP, here are the basics:

PEP exists to support physical activity and nutrition education programs that help K-12 students meet or exceed state PE standards.

As of the most recently concluded competition, PEP grants could be 1, 2, or 3 years in length with award sizes of up to $750,000 per year. Matching is required at 10% of the total project cost in Year 1, and 25% of the total project cost per year in Years 2 and 3. Matching may be inkind and/or cash. PEP grants must adhere to a supplement not supplant rule.

 

Will your district be applying for PEP this year? Don’t miss out! For 16 years, PEP has been the biggest and best-fit funding source for PE, physical activity, and nutrition programming for schools and community-based organizations serving school-age kids. While the competition will be tough, this year’s competition is your “last chance” opportunity to obtain a PEP grant. So start preparing now to submit a stellar application.

If you’re interested in grant writing or editing-only assistance, please contact us. Insight has a strong track record with PEP. The Insight Team includes several writers who have each won many PEP grants over the years. I myself have written 24 and edited an additional 46 winning PEP grants (70 total) for districts around the country.

Good luck!

-Rosalie Mangino-Crandall

Featured Grant Opportunity: Be Healthy Schools Grant Program/BCBS of Alabama

This funding competition is available to school across the state of Alabama, serving grades K-6, who plan to implement school-based health and wellness programs. Public and private schools are eligible. Programs should emphasize increased levels of physical activity, nutrition education, and parental involvement during the school year. A total of $250,000 is available in 2016, and schools may apply for grants up to $10,000 each. Applications are currently being accepted online and the application period will close March 18, 2016. For more information, visit the BCBS Alabama website at https://www.bcbsal.org/web/be-healthy-school-grants.html or contact them at CommunityRelations@bcbsal.org.

 

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

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 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.

 

Grant Opportunity: Shape the State Grants for SPARK in Tennessee Due THIS Week!

Leticia Gonzalez at SPARK wanted to be sure our readers were aware of a terrific opportunity due this week for schools in Tennessee. Please see below. Good luck! 🙂

Shape the State Grant Application Due THIS Week!

Tennessee Middle Schools:  Apply now to transform your physical education program with SPARK through the Shape the State Middle School PE Grant!

Funder: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee Health Foundation

In an effort to promote better health for Tennessee students, the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation will award up to 20 grants valued at $10,000 each to Tennessee middle schools as part of its Shape the State program. The grants will be used to purchase SPARK physical education curriculum, training, and materials.

Grant Deadline: April 17, 2015

Award Amount: SPARK Middle School PE curriculum, training, and materials valued at $10,000

Click Here to visit the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation website to learn more and apply for this grant.

 

Highmark Foundation Creating a Healthy School Environment Grants are Now Open! (PA and WV)

The Highmark Foundation is currently offering Creating a Healthy School Environment grants to schools in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Applicants may be public or private schools located within the Highmark service area, which includes 49 Pennsylvania Counties and all 55 West Virginia Counties.*

Applicants must select 1 of the 4 priority areas on which to focus their projects: (1) Bullying Prevention, (2) Child Injury Prevention, (3) Healthy Eating and Physical Activity, and (4) Physical and Environmental Health. Projects must be based on and inclusive of evidence-based programs. The RFP provides a list of suggested evidence-based programs and resources for each priority area, as well as checklists to support baseline and progress data collection and project evaluation. The specifically suggested evidenced-based programs and resources are not required for the Child Injury Prevention, Healthy Eating and Physical Activity, and Physical and Environmental Health priority areas–other evidenced-based options may be proposed. Applicants applying for funds through Bullying Prevention, however, MUST select from the list of programs and resources provided.

Eligible applicants and allowable award sizes for 2015 are described in the RFP as follows:

PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOLS

1. PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS (Individual school buildings are not eligible to apply.)

a. Grants up to $10,000 will be awarded to 15 school districts implementing programs that improve access to quality school-based health and wellness programs. We are interested in public schools applying as districts for implementing programs.

b. If awarded, school districts should identify and select schools within their district to receive funding.

2. PRIVATE, CHARTER, VOCATIONAL AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS (Grades K-12)

c. Mini-grants up to $5,000 will be awarded to 20 non-public school buildings.

d. Private, parochial and charter schools may only apply for the $5,000 mini-grants.

WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOLS 1. PUBLIC, PRIVATE, CHARTER VOCATIONAL AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS (Grades K-12)

a. $5,000 mini-grants will be awarded to 15 schools.

b. West Virginia schools may only apply for the $5,000 mini-grants.

 

Potential applicants should note the funder indicates, “Grants will not be awarded exclusively for equipment such as treadmills, bikes, etc. Equipment will only be considered if necessary for the implementation of an evidence-based physical activity program such as SPARK.”

 

All applicants must apply online by the May 8, 2015.

 

*Highmark service area:

Western Pennsylvania Counties served: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Erie, Elk, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Somerset, Venango, Warren, Westmoreland and Washington

Central Pennsylvania Counties served: Adams, Berks, Centre, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Mifflin, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Union and York

West Virginia: All counties in West Virginia are eligible to apply.

 

Good Luck! :o)

 

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