Funding Opportunities

Healthy and Active Communities:
Support for Local Policy Change

This Request for Applications (RFA) is to support projects that seek to advance local obesity prevention policies in Missouri by increasing physical activity and encouraging healthy eating.

Timeline: This RFA is ongoing, and applications are reviewed in the order received. The program will remain open until 5 pm CST on Wednesday, September 5, 2012, assuming funds are still available.

View the RFA

To start a new online application, click here:

To return to a previously saved online application, click here:

Links and Resources

Missouri Leads the Way with First of Its Kind Website for Obesity Prevention

Policy Lift (http://policylift.wustl.edu) is a free online policy resource that helps local policy makers and leaders develop and strengthen obesity-related policy for schools, after-school and childcare facilities, staff wellness, and local governments and communities. Developed by the Missouri Foundation for Health and the Center for Obesity Prevention and Policy Research at Washington University in Saint Louis, Policy Lift is the only resource of its kind that helps Missourians assess and create obesity-related wellness policy designed specifically for their environment.
See the press release here or visit the Policy Lift website for more information.

Healthy & Active Communities Team has Article in Preventive Medicine

The MFH Healthy & Active Communities team has an article in Preventive Medicine detailing MFH's response to the obesity epidemic. See the article here.

Healthy Youth Partnership

A growing coalition of over seventy community organizations, the Healthy Youth Partnership is designed to be the one-stop shop for healthy activities, tips, resources, current research and policy changes for all those committed to improving the health and wellness of youth and families in the Bi-State region.

MFH Resource Directory

View the MFH Physical Activity/Obesity/Nutrition Resource Directory

Healthy & Active Communities Three Year Evaluation now available. This is a PDF of the University of Missouri Institute of Public Policy report.

For More Information

For more information on the Healthy & Active Communities funding program, contact:

Amy Stringer Hessel
Program Officer
314.345.5540
astringerhessel@mffh.org

Healthy & Active Communities

MFH has identified the increase in the prevalence of obesity among Missourians to be a serious public health issue affecting the residents of the entire MFH service region.

MFH has determined that the scope of the problem requires focused funding to support direct program implementation, community education, improved community access and development of local public policy that addresses obesity prevention.

Healthy & Active Communities Information

HISTORY

Missouri Foundation for Health established the Healthy & Active Communities Initiative (H&AC) in 2005 to respond to increased obesity rates in the state. Since its inception,nearly $15 million has been distributed to 40 organizations across Missouri to combat obesity through various innovative methods, including direct programming, built environment, advocacy and policy change. The vision of H&AC is:

Through the convening oftraditional and non-traditional partners, we will serve as a catalyst to empower communities to increase access to physical activity and nutrition and influence individual and societal attitudes toward maintaining healthy lifestyles.

Missouri currently has the 15^thhighest rate of overweight youth in the United States and the 12^thhighest rate of adult obesity. Obesity rates are disproportionate among populations; those at increased risk of developing obesity include women and children, minority racial and ethnic groups, and low-income individuals and families. Therefore, H&AC has developed a targeted funding portfolio, supporting programs, policies and environmental change efforts that address the barriers and risk factors associated with an increased risk of obesity.

GOALS

Grantee organizations framed their project plans around one or more of the following goals:

Goal 1: The Initiative has a sustained impact on healthy eating/active living for communities in Missouri by supporting promising environmental and policy change strategies.

Goal 2: The Initiative cultivates strong local/regional and state partnerships which support the development and sustainability of healthy and active communities in Missouri.

Funding Opportunities