Deadline: 09/20/23 5:00 PM CST - Deadline for Access to Healthy Foods MATCH Grant applications only
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Grant Description
Grants to Iowa and South Dakota nonprofit organizations and government entities to improve community health. Funding is intended for activities that promote healthy lifestyles by ensuring access to healthy foods and by providing environments to encourage residents to be physically active.
MATCH grants support promising projects that can help individuals, families and communities achieve better health. Funding focuses on sustainable initiatives — projects designed to encourage healthy lifestyles for years to come — in two areas.
Built Environment MATCH Grant - Built environments to be physically active in. The Wellmark Foundation will consider built environment applications for:
Pocket parks
Public playground structures and spaces
Outdoor recreation areas
Outdoor fitness/exercise stations
Sport courts, fields and courses
Waterway access, including kayak, canoe or peddle boat launch
Water improvement projects for public swimming areas
Public swimming pools, splash pads or aquatic centers
Trails, including links, spurs and connectors
Bicycle repair stations
Hydration stations
Safe Routes to School plans and infrastructure
Accessible and safe walking paths or routes
Share-the-road plans and infrastructure, including safe crossing signs and lights
Bike-share programs and infrastructure
Wayfinding signage, trail makers
Access to Healthy Foods MATCH Grant - Access to and the consumption of healthy foods. The Wellmark Foundation will consider access to healthy foods applications for:
Aquaculture initiatives
Community gardens and greenhouses
Edible orchards and landscaping
Educational programming focused on agriculture, nutrition, science, food safety or food preparation
Equipment and materials needed to grow fresh fruit and vegetables, including growing benches, tents and lights
Farm/field/garden-to-table projects, including education
Food system transformations and action
Learning kitchens that provide cooking demonstrations and hands-on opportunities
Mobile food pantry, food rescue, gleaning programs
One-time expenses that will increase food access or distribution
Policies or councils working to create access to healthy foods and nutrition education
Programming to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills to be self-sufficient in maintaining healthy eating habits that contribute to positive health outcomes
Programs that address societal and social causes of hunger
Programs that induce change in eating habits through skill-building and recipe strategies that drive sustainable health outcomes
To be eligible to apply for a grant from The Wellmark Foundation, the primary applicant (fiscal agent) must meet all the following requirements:
1. Must be classified as a Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code or a governmental entity.
2. Must be an organization within the states of either Iowa or South Dakota or seeking funding support for grant funding restricted for use in Iowa or South Dakota.
3. Agrees with The Wellmark Foundation Inclusion Statement: “We are an inclusive organization accepting of all aspects of diversity. Examples of diversity include: race, color, age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, mental and physical abilities and sexual orientation.”
Ineligible
Applicants cannot have a contractual relationship with Wellmark, Inc., doing business as Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa, Wellmark of South Dakota, Inc., doing business as Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota, Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc., Wellmark Advantage Health Plan, Inc., Wellmark Value Health Plan, or Wellmark Synergy Health, Inc. This does not include having health insurance coverage through Wellmark.
The Wellmark Foundation will NOT consider built environment applications for:
• Administrative and organizational indirect costs (not solely related to the project)
• Ongoing programming
• Salaries for staff
• Programs operated by or for the benefit of for-profit organizations
• Annual fund drives or campaigns
• Endowment funds
• Fundraising events
• Debt retirement
• Reimbursement for cost of projects already completed or underway before grant is approved
• Exclusive membership or fee-based facilities
• Projects solely for the construction or renovation of restrooms, parking lots, shelter houses or
concession stands
• Sporting events, such as tournaments
• One-time speaker series or educational sessions
The Wellmark Foundation will NOT consider access to healthy foods applications for:
• Administrative and organizational indirect costs (not solely related to the project)
• Programs operated by or for the benefit of for-profit organizations
• Annual fund drives or campaigns
• Endowment funds
• Fundraising events
• Debt retirement
• Reimbursement for cost of projects or programs already completed or underway before grant approval
Built Environment MATCH Grant: Applications must be submitted by Feb. 15, 2023.
- Match requirement — Dollar-for-dollar. At least one-half of that amount must be cash.
- All applicants will be notified of funding decisions in May 2023, and selected grantees will have 12 weeks to certify their required match amount has been secured.
- The Wellmark Foundation will distribute grant dollars in September 2023.
Access to Healthy Foods MATCH Grant: Applications must be submitted by Sept. 20, 2023
- Match requirement — 50 percent of the amount requested. At least one-half of that amount must be cash.
- All applicants will be notified of funding decisions in December 2023, and selected grantees will have 12 weeks to certify their required match amount has been secured.
- The Wellmark Foundation will distribute grant dollars in March 2024.
Estimated Size of Grant
- Built Environment MATCH Grant: up to $100,000
- Access to Healthy Foods MATCH Grant: up to $50,000
Term of Contract
- Built Environment MATCH Grant: Grantees have until Dec. 31, 2025, to complete their project and use The Wellmark Foundation grant dollars.
- Access to Healthy Foods MATCH Grant: Grantees have until Dec. 31, 2026, to complete their project and use The Wellmark Foundation grant dollars.
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