Federal Funding Opportunities
On February 27th, the U.S. Department of Education is scheduled to release a grant application for the Carol M. White Physical Education Program, commonly referred to as PEP. This federal grant program provides funds for physical education programs, including after-school programs, for students in one or more grades from kindergarten through 12th grade to help students make progress toward meeting state standards for physical education. Local education agencies and community-based organizations are both eligible to apply. In the past, the majority of grants have gone to school districts; community nonprofits such as YMCA's and Boys & Girls Clubs have also been awarded PEP grants.
The due date for PEP applications will likely be April 12, 2006. Click here for more information about the program, including eligibility, technical assistance resources, and program contact people, among other things. Look for a link to the grant application in the March 2006 AFHK Funding Alert.
Funding Opportunities from National Foundations
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has allocated $11 million for a five-year national research program to identify, analyze, and evaluate environmental and policy strategies that promote healthy eating and prevent obesity among children. The first round of funding under the Healthy Eating Research initiative will support two types of research projects: (1) studies to identify and evaluate promising school food environment and policy changes and (2) studies to analyze macro-level policy or system determinants of school food environments and policies. The initiative may provide opportunities for partnerships among researchers, AFHK State Teams, and schools. Grant proposals are due on March 7, 2006. Click here for more information about the initiative and to access the foundation's on-line application system.
The National School and Business Partnerships Award, created by The Council for Corporate & School Partnerships, recognizes exemplary partnerships between schools and businesses around the country. The council presents six awards per year and award winners receive $10,000 to support partnership efforts. Partnerships involving kindergarten through 12th grade public schools and/or school districts and businesses are eligible to apply for the award. Applications are due by January 30th and will be accepted by mail, fax, e-mail, or on-line. Click here for more information about the award program and here to access the on-line application form.
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation provides grants to community groups and schools to support the growth of youth baseball and softball, as well as promote character growth and healthy lifestyles in children. Annually, there are three grant cycles with application deadlines on January 15th, March 15th, and October 15th. Click here for more information about the foundation's grant program and to download application guidelines and forms.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is currently accepting applications for its Community Access to Child Health Implementation Funds program. This program, commonly referred to as CATCH, provides grants of up to $10,000 to support pediatricians in the initial or pilot stage of developing and implementing a community-based child health initiative. Pediatricians and pediatric residents who are members of AAP are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to proposals addressing high-need populations and, within the Implementation Funds program, AAP is making grants available specifically to fund proposals addressing childhood obesity. The deadline for applications is January 31st. Click here for more information and to download application materials.
Corporate Funding Opportunities
The Mattel Children's Foundation is accepting applications for its second year of grantmaking in the U.S. Up to $25,000 in program grants or core support will be awarded to nonprofits working to serve children in need. The foundation's priorities include, among other issues, supporting the physical health and well-being of children, with particular emphasis on promoting healthy, active lifestyles.
The foundation's web site states that applicant "organizations may not be affiliated in any way with national organizations, regardless of whether funds are received from the national entity." The foundation also does not make grants to schools or school districts. While these requirements may limit the ability of AFHK State Teams and schools to apply directly, partner organizations that are community-based organizations may be eligible to apply for grants. There are two funding cycles annually. During the first cycle, applications will be accepted between January 1st and April 7th; during the second cycle, applications will be accepted between July 1st and September 30th. Click here for more information about the foundation's grantmaking program.
Fundraising and Grant Writing Resources
The Foundation Center is offering a new on-line course to help grant seekers master a key step in proposal writingconstructing a compelling statement of need. Five lessons walk you through describing the need, documenting the facts, and composing and revising your statement of need. The cost of the course is $39.95. Click here for more information.
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) works with the Foundation Center to identify public health-related funding resources from private foundations. Each month, NACCHO highlights one area of public health. In December, NACCHO's Foundation Funding Guide featured foundations that list chronic disease as a focus area for their grantmaking. To see your state's list of foundations interested in funding projects addressing chronic disease, click here.
