Monday, Feb. 1, at 5 p.m., is the deadline to apply for a 2016 Allina Health Neighborhood Health Connection™ Grant.
Allina Health will award grants to community nonprofits and local government organizations who submit ideas for bringing people together through healthy activities.
The purpose of a Neighborhood Health Connection Grant is to support on-going activities that promote social connections through healthy eating and physical activity for groups of adults, older adults and families.
“Over the past 3 years CMC has funded over 20 local organizations with grant dollars to build strong community connections,” said Nicole Klanderud, manager of Community Engagement and Wellness at Cambridge Medical Center. “By offering support and funds for healthy activities, we can make a difference in the health of our communities.”
Projects must offer a minimum of six healthy activities for the same group of neighbors to participate in.
Groups can include adults, older adults and families. For example, a group could include residents on a neighborhood block or members of a faith community. Projects that focus on children are not eligible.
Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Expanding a community garden to provide opportunities for community members to grow their own food and share a weekly meal together.
• Hosting a series of healthy cooking classes for a diabetes management and support group.
• Starting a book club where participants cook healthy foods inspired by the books they’re reading.
• Starting a walking club that incorporates a buddy system for residents of an assisted living home.
All grant-funded activities must take place during the grant period of March 7 through Dec. 31, 2016 and must begin by Sept. 1, 2016. Online applications will be accepted from Jan. 4 through 5 p.m. on Feb. 1.
Grantees will be notified of decisions via email on Feb. 19. To learn more, visit neighborhoodhealthconnection.org.