make money grow on trees: health related grants for schools
TRANSCRIPT
Make Money Grow On Trees:
Health Related Grants For Schools
Think you can’t write grants, think again! In six years, my school and community have received
over six million dollars in health related grants.
I write the grants. (Who would have ever guessed a dumb blonde like me could ever pull this off?) Before this, I had ZERO experience in the grant writing world.
I have never been to a grant writing class.
If you want to develop programs in your community, but don’t have the money to, you can start by writing grants.
Do you really want to be a CHAMPION?
#1. You have to make some new friends. 1). The lunch lady, the school nurse, and the people in charge. 2). Join your local Hometown Wellness Coalition.
#2. You have to know your school and community. 1). Data, data, data! 2). Ride on a bus route.
#3. Love what you do. 1). If you don’t, no one else will either!
Wave Your Magic Wand
There are so many misconceptions about grants.
Grants really aren’t that complicated!
You’ve got to start with something easy.
Celebrate your success. Toot your own horn.
And remember, you can do it!
Blue and You Grant
Blue and You Mini Grant $1000
Where can you find it?
http://www.blueandyoufoundationarkansas.org/grant_guidelines/
We have received this grant at each campus to start up Biggest Loser Clubs, equipment for afterschool aerobics, and worksite wellness activities.
Walmart Community Grant
Walmart Community $1000
Where can you find it?
http://foundation.walmart.com/apply-for-grants/local-giving
We have received this grant to assist our food pantry.
Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Grant
Amount determined by number of students, we get around $30,000 for the FFV Grant
Where can you find it?
Always comes out in the Commissioner’s Memos.
We use these funds to provide a fresh fruit or vegetable snack for our elementary students each day, all year.
Action For Healthy Kids Grant
Action for Healthy Kids Grant Range $2000-$5000
Where can you find it?
http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/
We used these funds to start up Grab and Go Breakfast at the high school.
Lowes Toolbox for Education Grant
Lowes Grant $5000
Where can you find it?
http://responsibility.lowes.com/apply-for-a-grant/
We have received this grant several times. We have used it to build an outdoor classroom, add activity stations to the walking trail, and restore areas of the playground.
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission Grants
Schoolyard Habitat Grant $5000Archery in Schools Program Grant $3000Aquatics Education Grant $1000
Where can you find these?
http://www.agfc.com/education/Pages/EducationPrograms.aspx
We have used these funds to build outdoor classrooms, to purchase archery equipment including bows, arrows, and targets. You can also apply through AGFC to get aquariums.
Fuel Up to Play 60 GrantHas changed over the years.
FUTP60 Grant $4000
Where can you find it?
http://www.fueluptoplay60.com/
We have received this grant several times. It covers physical activity and nutrition.
ARCOP Growing Health Communities Grant
ARCOP GHC Grant $2000
Where can you find it?
http://www.arkansasobesity.org/ghc/
We used this grant to create a 24-Hour Fitness Room for our staff and parents that includes exercise bikes, treadmills and a home fitness gym.
Joint Use Agreement Grants
FUTP60 Grant up to $30,000
Where can you find it? Always released on Commissioner’s Memos.
http://www.arkansascsh.org/apply-it-in-your-school/funding-opportunities.php
We have used these funds to revamp a soccer field and a walking nature trail, restore a gymnasium into a community fitness center, and asphalt a walking track.
Joint Use Agreement Grants
Joint Use Agreement Grants
Where else can I find grants?
• Arkansas Department of Health: http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/
• Go to Grant & Bid Opportunities.
• Our community has received numerous grants from this site including a grant for our Community Tobacco Prevention Coordinator & our School Tobacco Prevention Coordinator.
Where else can I find grants?
• Center for Healthcare in Schools
• http://www.healthinschools.org/news-room/grant-alerts.aspx
• This site stays updated regularly & it’s free.
Federal GrantsComplete a Grants.gov Account
Where can you find it?
http://www.grants.gov/
It takes 3-5 days to begin the process & can take up to 4 weeks to complete.
You can do it!
Should I subscribe to a grant alert?
• NO! It’s a waste of money.
• I’ve kept myself busy for years & never subscribed.
• Once you set up a grants.gov account, you can search federal grant opportunities for free.
How has this impacted my community?
Meet Jennifer Hughes.
She works at the local gas station.
Before JUA, Jennifer was overweight, depressed and tired.
She could not afford a nutritionist or gym membership or much less the gas to get her out of her rural community to drive to a nutritionist or workout facility.
Joint Use Agreements made nutrition education/weight management classes and organized physical activity affordable and accessible to Jennifer.
And Jennifer changed her life
How has this impacted my community?
Meet Jennifer Hughes now.
In her nutrition education classes, Jennifer learned how to cook healthy meals on a budget.
In her weight management classes, Jennifer learned to log her food intake and daily exercise. She was given advice from a nurse each week as she weighed in to check her progress.
In her organized physical activity classes, Jennifer sweated off pounds.
Jennifer is no longer overweight, depressed and tired.
Jennifer has lost over 60 pounds, made friends in her support group and has more energy than she ever has.
Why would I bother?
Grants can improve your community.
A little bit of good, goes a long way. It’s contagious.
My school and community are living proof.
If I can do it, you can do it!
Do you haveany questions????
Contact Information
Susi Epperson,Elementary School Principal & District Grant Writer
Email: [email protected]
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/susi.epperson
Twitter: @susiepperson
Phone: 870-307-9379