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: Â 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:Â 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 1Â of the 4Â 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 RFPÂ 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)
Grant Opportunity: 2015/16 Fuel Up To Play 60 Grants!
Although the application period isn’t open yet (it is scheduled to open this Spring), now is a great time to put Fuel Up to Play 60 Grants on your radar.
Program Overview: Fuel Up to Play 60 provides a grant opportunity to K-12 schools to improve the healthy eating and physical activity opportunities in schools.
Awards: $300-$4,000 in funding.
Deadline:Â Applications will be due Tuesday, June 16th, 2015. Awarded applicants will be provided funds to use in the 2015/16 school year.
Who Can Apply:Â K-12 schools must be in enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60, have a registered program advisor, and participate in the National School Lunch Program.
Other Important Notes: Applicants must propose projects that include Healthy Eating and Physical Activity components that include Plays from the Fuel Up to Play 60 Playbook. There are several spending category thresholds within the overall request limit, so be sure to thoroughly read all application materials as you develop your project plan and budget.
Where to Get More Information:Â Visit the Fuel Up to Play 60 website where you can view a past application to start preparing for 2015/16. You can also learn more about the program, read through FAQs, and see past success stories.
In an effort to ensure cost-effective grants support options are available for all programs and all award sizes, Insight always offers editing services at very affordable rates. For information on our grant writing or editing services, please contact us.
January 2015 PEP Grant Program Update and Additonal Grant Opportunities
The 2015 federal budget was finalized in mid-December. The US Department of Education’s (ED) Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP grant program) was allocated $47 Million. In communications we recently had with the PEP Program Manager, Carlette KyserPegram, we learned that the amount appropriated by Congress for 2015 was NOT enough to make new PEP grants in 2015. So ED will not be holding a PEP competition in 2015 and does not expect to make any new PEP grant awards in 2015. Continuation awards for existing PEP grant winners are scheduled to be funded for 2015. It is far too soon to say what this means for PEP in 2016 and the future, but for this year, those who planned on applying for PEP will not be able to do so.
Although this is disappointing news, we would encourage potential applicants to consider other programs.
General Mills and the American Dietetic Association partner to offer the foundation-funded Champions for Healthy Kids grants which are specifically for nutrition and physical activity programs. These are smaller grants of $20,000 each. The application period has already opened, and applications are due 1/23/2015. You need to have a registered dietitian on board prior to application (that person will actually be the official applicant on behalf of your organization), although how the RD participates in your project is completely up to you, and he/she can be paid with grant funds for his/her role if needed. General Mills likes to see a wide reach, so if you go for that one, think about what you could do with $20,000 that includes at least one physical activity piece and one nutrition piece (with an RD serving at least as an advisor if not playing a more direct role) that would reach all of your kids and maybe even others. This grant focuses on ages 2-20, but you can have a secondary reach to families if you want to, as long as ages 2-18 are the primary audience. Champions grants are sometimes given to school-based programs operating during and around the school day but are most often given to programs operating at other times—programs that require support because they are clearly outside of the typical school budget.
AstraZeneca’s Connections for Cardiovascular Health is a foundation-funded grant program. AZ will accept applications February 2-26, 2015. This year, grants will range from $150,000-$180,000 for one year. One exciting element of the AZ grant is that, at least to this point, there hasn’t been an age range restriction. So you could focus solely on your kids, parents and community members, both, the elderly, or another population all together. Similar to General Mills Champions grants, though, AstraZeneca tends to be less of a fit for most PE class- and school-day-focused projects and more of a fit for out-of-school time and community-focused projects.
If you have out-of-school time aims and/or aims that touch parents, staff, and/or community members, General Mills or AstraZeneca grants may be options for you this year. Both grants are highly competitive, so definitely think of creative project activities you might propose to be as competitive as possible if you want to apply.
As additional news and opportunities surface throughout the year, we’ll be posting about them. As always, if you’d like to talk with us about a potential project or application and would like to inquire about our grant writing, editing, or evaluation services, please contact us.
Featured Grant Opportunity: Shape the State Tennessee
The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation is awarding up to 20 grants valued at $10,000 each to Tennesee middle schools as part of its Shape the State program. The grant funding is awarded to schools to purchase SPARK physical education curriculum, training, and materials in an effort to promote better health for students.
We’re providing basic information about the grant program on this site. For complete details, visit shapethestate.com
Award: $10,000
Who Can Apply? Tennessee middle schools
When is the Deadline? Applications are being accepted through April 18th, 2014
Something Cool or Unique About This Opportunity: The program utilizes SPARK physical education curriculum, training and materials specifically for middle schools. Read more information on the SPARK Middle School PE Program here.
Where Can I Get More Information? Visit the official website at shapethestate.com where you can get the application, read more information about the program and SPARK, as well as see past grant recipients.
Featured Grant Opportunity: ING Run for Something Better
ING U.S. has partnered with the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD, now also known as the Society for Health And Physical Education or SHAPE America) to offer schools nationwide a unique opportunity to help students discover a passion for running and living a healthy lifestyle. The ING Run for Something Better Program will award at least 60 grants in 2014.
We’re providing basic details about the program below, for complete information visit the ING Grant Program Information at the AAHPERD website.
Program Overview: The program seeks to increase physical activity in students through school-based running programs in order to fight childhood obesity nationwide. Schools must design a new or expand an existing before, during and/or after school program which will be offered to the best of the school’s ability to all students in eligible grades (K-8). Programs can even be conducted during PE!  Programs must be at least eight weeks in length and include a culminating event which takes place on or before 12/31/2014. All awardees must agree to administer pre- and post-project FITNESSGRAM/President’s Youth Fitness Program PACER cardiovascular fitness testing to participants and report anonymous results. PACER testing materials will be provided to all awardees.
Award: Each award will be $3,500. Funds will be distributed in two portions. The first portion of funds ($1,750) will be dispersed upon award notification. The remaining balance of funds ($1,750) will be dispersed after final PACER testing data and proof of completion of the culmination event have been submitted to the funder.
Who Can Apply?: Running programs that target Kindergarten through 8th grade students in elementary or middle schools are eligible to apply. Each program must propose to serve at least 25 students in grades 4 through 8. While students in grades K through 3 can be served as well, those students cannot count toward the 25-participant minimum and will not participate in PACER testing.
When is the Deadline? May 15th, 2014 by 11:59 pm EST.
Something Cool or Unique About This Opportunity: The program requires a culminating event, such as a 1 mile or a 5k (3.1 mile) event. These events can include families and community members and are a terrific way to bring the students, school, and community together for an empowering fitness event. Through the program website, OrangeLaces.com, pictures and stories of past runs and successes are featured. Also, AAHPERD provides a range of Recipient Resources that potential and existing awardees can use while designing and implementing their projects!
Where Can I get More Information? Visit the ING Run for Something Better Grant Application Page. See sure to see the FAQ and online application pages.
Featured Grant Opportunity: The Colorado Health Foundation Healthy Schools
The Colorado Health Foundation offers a grant program with community outcome areas of Healthy Living, Health Care and Health Coverage. The Foundation looks for integrated approaches that take full advantage of each and every opportunity to improve the health of all Colorado residents.
We’re providing basic information about the grant program, for complete details visit The Colorado Health Foundation Grantmaking Page.
Program Overview: In more detail, the three outcomes are: to ensure access to the key components of Healthy Living, increase the number of Colorado residents with Health Coverage, and ensure access to quality, coordinated Health Care. The section of the grant program that we will be focusing on is the Healthy Schools outcome under Healthy Living. This outcome provides funding for programs that make Colorado’s schools healthier. Nutrition, activity, education, access to health services, and community support are all funding areas mentioned by the program.
Award: The Foundation does not provide minimum, maximum or average request information. Instead, the Foundation notes that award sizes vary based on multiple factors and also states, “We favor proposals that include other funders and that show how proposed activities will be continued after the grant term is completed.” Insight’s review of grants awarded by The Colorado Healthy Foundation for the Healthy Living outcome area between January 2007 and January 2014 showed grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $8,748,005, with 74.8% of awards falling in the $20,000 to $400,000 range. Request the amount you need and can justify in order to launch a high-quality, sustainable project.
Who Can Apply: Colorado organizations classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3), Colorado public agencies, including state and local governments, and new or emerging organizations without 501(c)(3) status with a tax-exempt organization acting as fiscal sponsor. On occasion, grants are made to organization with 501(c)(4) status.
When is the Deadline? Upcoming deadlines are June 15th, 2014 and October 15th, 2014. The application deadline for February 15th, 2014 has passed.
Something Cool or Unique About This Opportunity: The Foundation provides examples of grants for each of the funding strategies. This great resource can help you understand the types of programs that have been funded in the past. See some of the grant examples for Healthy Schools here.
Where Can I Get More Information: Visit the Grantmaking section of The Colorado Health Foundation website.
