Health foundation seeks applications for ‘Healthy Impact’ grants

Frontiersman.com

WASILLA — Mat-Su Health Foundation is seeking applications from eligible nonprofit organizations for its Healthy Impact grant program, which twice annually awards grants more than $15,000 to fund programs that improve the health and wellness of people living in the Mat-Su Borough. The application period for the current cycle of Healthy Impact grants is as follows:

• Project pitch: From Dec. 2 to 4 p.m., Jan. 10, 2014.

• Full application: From Jan. 20, 2014, to 4 p.m., Feb. 28, 2014.

MSHF uses a two-part application process for Healthy Impact grants. The first phase of the process is the project pitch phase. This is completed online at healthymatsu.org and includes information about the organization that is applying and a description of the proposed project. The foundation reviews all pitches and then invites projects that most closely align with the foundation’s funding goals to move forward to the full application phase.

Potential applicants are encouraged to review the “Grant Guidelines” section of the website for information on the grant process. MSHF supports organizations and activities that empower people, employ creative responses to problems, address root causes rather than symptoms, build upon community strengths and offer measurable improvements in health and wellness. MSHF is particularly interested in supporting organizations that:

• Expand access to health and wellness care, especially for people from low-income and otherwise disadvantaged communities.

• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusiveness in the targeting and delivery of services to reduce health disparities.

• Foster communication, cooperation and coordination among service providers.

• Build programs and services that are sustainable.

• Have a strong and engaged board, staff and/or volunteer leadership.

• Have a board of directors reflecting Mat-Su representation.

Although Healthy Impact grant requests must be in excess of $15,000, smaller grant amounts are considered continuously under the foundation’s Target Wellness grant program. As with Healthy Impact grants, Target Wellness grants are applied for online at healthymatsu.org.