Grant Opportunity: Kaiser Permanente Programs
One of America’s leading health care providers, Kaiser Permanente, offers multiple areas of grant opportunities. Grants are broken down to national and regional sections. National grants are made to programs that serve multiple Kaiser Permanente regions and/or have a national impact on health and policy. Complete details on the national grant program eligibility as well as the program application are available through Kaiser Permanente’s website. Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis throughout the year.
Regional grants are made available near the locations of Kaiser Permanente regional offices. The regions listed are Northern California, Southern California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Mid-Atlantic, and Northwest. From a broad perspective, the organization states that successful grant applicants fit within Kaiser Permanente’s funding priorities with work that examines social determinants of health and/or addresses the elimination of health disparities and inequities. Funding priority areas include community health initiatives, safety net partnerships, care for low-income people, and developing and disseminating knowledge but do differ by region and sub-region, so be sure to consult the region and sub-region relevant to your specific target population’s location.
With the RFP and grantmaking process different for each region, interested applicants within one of the listed regions should visit their regional page. Links to each regions grant section can be found under “Regional Grants” on the grants overview page. Additionally, we have broken out some information below:
- Central Valley (Organizations that meet basic eligibility requirements and seeking an unsolicited grant for a program that fits with current priorities may submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) application at any time.
- Diablo (Letter of Interest due March 2nd, 2015)
- East Bay (2015 information hasn’t been announced)
- Fresno (2015 application dates have passed)
- Greater Southern Alameda (2015 information hasn’t been announced)
- Marin/Sonoma (2015 information hasn’t been announced)
- Napa-Solano (2015 information hasn’t been announced)
- Roseville (Application due March 23, 2015–mandatory letters of interest were due in early February)
- Sacramento (Applicants who submitted required letters of intent due earlier in the year will be notified March 5th, 2015 if they are invited to submit a full proposal)
- San Francisco (Next solicitation is scheduled for Fall 2015)
- South Bay/San Jose/Santa Clara (Letters of Interest are due February 27th, 2015, Full applications due April 17th, 2015.)
- San Mateo (Applications due March 13th, 2015)
- South Sacramento (Applicants who submitted required letters of intent due earlier in the year will be notified March 4th, 2015 if they are invited to submit a full proposal)
Grant Opportunity: 2015 Healthy Kids, Healthy Families Grants (IL, MT, NM, OK, TX)
The Health Care Service Corporation is offering Healthy Kids, Healthy Families Grants in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Organizations that share 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. This is an exciting opportunity for organizations in these 5 states.
To apply, organizations must have a 501(c)(3) designation. If your organization has similar tax-exempt status and is interested in applying, the Foundation states, “Submit your tax status documentation with your funding request and we will review and determine if we are able to consider based upon the documentation you provide.”
There are no specific amounts listed for awards. Applicants should present responsible budgets that can reasonably support the projects proposed.
You can view past winners and projects on the Health Care Service Corporation grants page.
Grants will be accepted during the following periods in each eligible state:
Illinois –March 2 – March 30, 2015
Montana – April 1 – May 31, 2015
New Mexico – August 3 – September 9, 2015
Oklahoma – June 1 – September 11, 2015
Texas – March 16 – April 17, 2015
For more information and to access applications, visit the Health Care Service Corporation grants page.
Grant Opportunity: The Wellmark Foundation (Iowa and South Dakota)
The Wellmark Foundation is offering two grant programs in 2015, Healthy Communities Small Grant Program and Matching Assets To Community Health (MATCH) Grant Program. The program supports nonprofit organizations or community groups in Iowa and South Dakota that develop, implement and enhance local wellness and prevention projects with a focus on long-term sustainability.
Applications for the Healthy Communities Small Grant Program must be received by Monday, February 23rd, 2015. Grants are being offered for projects that address community-based wellness and prevention with a focus on access to nutritious foods and safe places to be active. Applicants may request up to $25,000. For complete details see the Healthy Communities PDF here.
A letter of interest for the MATCH grant program is due by Friday, May 15, 2015. The MATCH grant program supports projects that promote active living and built environments and increase access to and consumption of nutritious foods. Applicants must request up to $75,000 but need to offer matching funds and are encouraged to do so by leveraging local partners and/or sponsors. The most competitive applications will offer a dollar-for-dollar (or greater) match. For complete details see the MATCH grant program PDF here.
Interested in applying for the MATCH grant but need assistance determining where the matching funds will come from? Contact us to discuss your options, including but not limited to applying to other funders who may be willing to provide you with a matching grant!
Grant Opportunity: Spreading Community Accelerators through Learning and Evaluation (SCALE)
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement has announced the release of the Request for Applications for Spreading Community Accelerators through Learning and Evaluation (SCALE).
This program is made available by support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and is part of the 100 Million Healthier Lives initiative.
Program Overview: SCALE is for communities in the United States to “substantially accelerate their health improvement journey.” SCALE aims to help organizations improve their capacity to achieve significant health improvement outcomes by learning from one another. The funder indicates, “SCALE will support communities in their efforts to address factors that contribute to health, lead complex change, and advance equity.”
Twenty Pacesetter communities will be selected to participate in SCALE, a 20-month intensive “learning and doing” program. Pacesetter communities will receive support and training as well as $60,000 (plus up to $8,000 travel budget) over 20 months to support their programs. See the Pacesetter application for details on the awards as well as the program in general.
Up to 10 additional communities will be chosen to serve as part of the SCALE technical assistance team for Pacesetter communities. Mentors will take an “all teach, all learn” approach that will empower them to both share what they have learned with others who are at an earlier point in their process as well as learning from other mentors and even the Pacesetter communities. Mentor communities will each receive a $5,000-per-year stipend for their time and effort. See the Mentor application for details on the awards as well as the program in general.
The funding cycle begins May 1, 2015 and goes through December 31, 2016.
Who Can Apply: SCALE is open to community organizations from a defined geographic area with a shared governance structure, and a shared plan for improving health. The funder explains, “An ideal applicant would be a coalition that is representative of the community and is composed of at least three partnering organizations capable of addressing the determinants of health (across health care, public, education, public health, social services, etc.) Organizations must be linked to a coalition member with municipal or 501c(3) status and capable of receiving funds and accounting for how funds are spent.”
Application Deadline: March 4th, 2015
Where to Get More Information: Visit the SCALE Initiative page of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement website.
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: 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: 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: 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.
Grant Opportunity: Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Awards (Upstate NY)
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is making awards available to support the financial needs of health and wellness programs within 31 counties of Upstate New York.
What type of activities might be supported? Award are intended to focus on:
- Activities to improve improve the health status of the community or to reduce the incidence of specific diseases
- Community wide health education
- Group-specific health education
- Wellness
Programs must promote a safe and healthy lifestyle. They must fund direct services, not staff salaries or benefits.
Who can apply? To be eligible, the organization must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in the 31 counties of upstate New York and primarily serve a population within one or more of the listed counties. The 31 counties include: Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Cortland, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Otsego, Oswego, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, St. Lawrence, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne and Yates. Public Schools are eligible to apply.
How much is available? Not specified.
When is the application due? Applications must be received by February 9th, 2015.
How much can I request? Through a competitive application process, the awards provide financial support of up to $4,000 each to 501(c)(3) nonprofit groups that have set clear goals to improve the health or health care of a specific population in the community
Do I have to offer a match of any kind? No
How long is the project period? Programs must begin within 12 months of the date the award is delivered
When will the awards be made? Awards will be distributed in March 2015
Is there anything else I should know? Application should be submitted to the appropriate regional contact:
• Central New York region (Cayuga, Cortland, Jefferson, Lewis, Onondaga, Oswego, St. Lawrence and Tompkins counties): Email application to Community.Health.Awards.CNY@Excellus.com
• Rochester region (Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne and Yates counties): Email application to Community.Health.Awards.ROC@Excellus.com
• Southern Tier region (Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Schuyler, Steuben and Tioga counties): Email application to Melissa.Klinko@Excellus.com
• Utica region (Clinton, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida and Otsego counties): Email application to Community.Health.Awards.Utica@Excellus.com
How can I find out more? Visit the BCBS website.
For additional information, contact:
Central New York region: Community.Health.Awards.CNY@Excellus.com
Rochester region: Community.Health.Awards.ROC@Excellus.com
Southern Tier region: Melissa.Klinko@Excellus.com
Utica region: Community.Health.Awards.Utica@Excellus.com
If you are looking for assistance with your application, Insight would be pleased to help you! For information on pricing for grant writing or editing for this program, please contact us.
Grant Opportunity: The Smart from the Start Awards
Smart from the Start Awards are an incredible opportunity for preschool teachers, and the grant competition is now open.
Grant Overview: The Smart from the Start Awards are designed to encourage preschool teachers to create practical, long-term improvements in nutrition and physical activity at their preschool. By the end of this school year, Smart from the Start will have awarded almost 50 grants helping families, community members, students, and faculty make life-changing decisions for a healthier lifestyle.
Award Goals: The Smart from the Star Awards are designed to reward preschool teachers who:
- Identify and improve authentic nutrition and physical activity needs at their preschool.
- Set an Energy Balance Goal and create an action plan to meet their goal.
- Encourage involvement from school and community stakeholders.
- Utilize their creativity.
Deadline: The deadline for applications is Friday, February 27th, 2015 at 8pm EST.
Awards: The Grand Prize is a $20,000 grant for the preschool as well as a prize pack of books. 10 runners up will receive a $2,500 grant and a prize pack of books.
Who is Eligible: Residents who are 21 years of age and older who are employed at an early childhood education center, Head Start Center, or elementary school in the United States that offers a Pre-K program are eligible.
Where Can I Get More Information: Visit the TogetherCounts.com website for complete details on the program and to get started.
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.
Grant Tips and Discussion: From Implementation to Evaluation
In recent years I’ve had the privilege of working on various projects for Insight Grants Development. Back in 2006 I was a senior in college and was helping my sister-in-law, Rosalie, double check and prepare budgets for PEP Grant applications. Since that time Rosalie’s company has grown with all kinds of grant related success. From helping clients win tens of millions of dollars in grant funding to providing thorough evaluation services, I’ve seen firsthand Insight standing by the statement on our homepage “Dedicated to Making Positive, Measurable, and Sustainable Changes in Communities Through Grant Programs.” Rosalie has a tremendous team that works to deliver the best possible work and most competitive applications for clients.
Although I don’t have anywhere near the expertise, knowledge, and experience of some of the members of the Insight Team, I wanted to try my hand at sharing some of what I’ve learned while helping Insight. The following commentary is related to implementation and evaluation of a grant.
Grant Tips and Discussion: From Implementation to Evaluation
Winning a grant and knowing you will be able to implement your project is a very exciting time. You’ve put a ton of effort into the application, had challenges and successes along the way, and all of a sudden you receive the notification that your application will be funded. The work doesn’t end here. For your grant project to be truly successful, it is not just about getting funded. It is just as important for you to implement and execute your plan.
The majority of grant funding goes to causes or efforts that improve something. The funding pays for things like equipment, training, or even personnel. The funding is meant to take a problem, a shortcoming, or a need and fill that gap to ultimately solve a problem or advance the greater good in a specific area.
Nearly all grant programs require evaluation reports in order to establish a detailed analysis of the project. Projects may have outcomes, measures, or goals that the awardee needs to report on so that the funder can see what worked, what didn’t, and the best use of funds going forward. Often times these reports can shape future funding opportunities. For example, an organization that was lacking proper equipment to successfully serve the public might get the funding to purchase that equipment. The funder wants to see how it was used and what effect it had for the grantee in fulfilling its purpose or need for funding. If a school is given grant funding for nutrition education and fitness equipment, the funder needs to see the impact of the project and the funding. To show this, awardees will measure data based on where they started the project and progressing throughout the project as new equipment, curriculum, and initiatives are taken.
Grant funders also look favorably on projects and initiatives that are sustainable after the grant funding runs out. If equipment can be used for years to come, training and education provides life-long value, or long-term problems are solved by the funding, the funder is getting better value for and having larger influences with their resources. The lifetime value of a grant can be very high when sustainable measures are put into place. As a funder, this is exactly what you would want your resources to do. Resources that turn into important changes, valuable resources, and long term benefits are resources well spent.
From the time you start working on your project through implementation it’s important to have your organization and key stakeholders “buy in” to your project. To accomplish this, it is best to communicate clearly with all participants. These participants need to know what is going to happen, why it is happening, what is expected of them, and how the plan is going to be implemented. Most importantly, these participants need to know the bigger picture of the project. Educate them about what issues are being solved and what the long term goals of the project are.
It is unfortunate but in many organizations there will be participants who are not as excited about the project as you. Some people simply do not like change or anything coming their way that resembles extra work. Don’t let these participants get you down. If they are in the way of a project you and your funder knows will provide positive outcomes then in the big picture they are not important and are just another challenge to overcome in the way of successful implementation.
As your hard work pays off and your project progresses, just as important as making sure everyone knows the details and purpose of the project at the beginning, keep them updated along the way. And if you are having successes, highlight and celebrate them. If you’ve fixed a problem, are making solid progress, or in general are seeing marked improvements, then show off this positivity. Let your community know more about your project and what it has done. Show your funder through reporting and other information that their funding is being put to good use, and give them exact data on what it has done.
General Session Sponsorship at NYS AHPERD Conference
We’re proud to be sponsoring a general session again at the 77th Annual NYS AHPERD (New York Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance) Conference. The conference is taking place November 19th-22nd at the Turning Stone Convention Center in Verona, NY.
We’ve participated in the conference many times in the past and have presented on PEP and other grant opportunities for attendees. Due to scheduling conflicts we will not have team members at the conference this year, but we will have a table with business cards, company signage, and an ad in the program. We are also making some fresh fruit available immediately following the general session we are sponsoring. That session is taking place on Thursday from 9:25 A.M. to 10:40 A.M. in the Showroom. The speaker during the session is Dr. Joe Martin, an award-winning motivational speaker, author, professor and educational consultant. Get more information on Dr. Joe Martin here.
For attendees interested in discussing our grant writing, editing, or evaluation services please contact us via email at info@insightgrants.com, by phone (716) 474-0981, or fill out our easy online form here.
Our program ad is below. We hope all attendees have a successful conference and come away with a lot of great ideas!
NYSED STLE 4/D Awards Announced, Insight Client Alden Central School District (NY) Awarded $217,000.
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) recently posted a list of preliminary awardees for the Strengthening Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Dissemination Grant: Principal Leadership Competitive Grants Program (STLE 4/D): Congratulations to all of the winners, including Insight Client Alden Central School District, NY. The Insight team worked with Alden in writing their grant which is scheduled to be funded in the amount of $217,000!
To learn more about the program view the New York State Education Department press release here.
