Featured Grant Opportunity: Grants to help schools serve healthier meals to students!
The USDA and NFL’s Fuel Up to Play 60 are partnering to award $35 Million in grants that support healthier meals and better nutrition in US schools. Based on the fact that 88% of schools who utilize the USDA’s National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs lack the equipment to serve healthy meals, this partnership aims to help schools upgrade their kitchen equipment and infrastructure in order to offer students better access to nutritious foods. Grants will help schools meet updated national nutrition standards, serving meals with more grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein and low-fat dairy, and less sodium and fat. All US schools who participate in the National School Lunch Program are eligible to apply. Schools can apply individually, or districts may apply for multiple schools within their district. Each school involved in the application, whether applying as part of a district or as an individual school, can apply for up to $5,000 in school nutrition equipment. The online application will open in early March 2016. You can sign up to be notified when the application is open by entering your email address here. The deadline for all applications is Thursday, June 30, 2016. Interested in more information about these grants? Find out more and download the application materials here: https://www.fueluptoplay60.com/funding/nutrition-equipment-grant.
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.
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
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.
