Get Active Mini-grant Program

Posted by on August 20, 2010

Governor’s Council of Physical Fitness and Sports

GET ACTIVE! MINI-GRANT PROGRAM

Sponsored by the Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

The Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is pleased to announce the 2010-11 GET ACTIVE! Mini-Grant Program.  The Council’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians by providing leadership that promotes physically active lifestyles and links families, communities, schools, worksites, health care and media.  This grant is focused on supporting new physical activity initiatives or increasing current and/or additional physical activity programming.  Programs and resources supported through this grant must create an environmental, policy and/or systems change and be sustained once the grant process is completed.  Up to 20 grants may be awarded at up to $3,000 each.

Enclosed is the “GET ACTIVE!” Mini-Grant application form and other related materials needed to be considered for funding through this program for the Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.  The applications must be postmarked by Friday, September 15, 2010.   No applications will be accepted after this date.

A broad range of activities/supplies are eligible, as long as they support the purposes of introducing or increasing physical activity opportunities or amounts of physical activity in a specific setting.  Proposals demonstrating program sustainability contributing to systems or policy changes with measurable outcomes or increase in physical activity will be given first priority.  You can find examples of evidence based programs in the Guide to Community Preventive Services (http://www.thecommunityguide.org). The Guide to Community Preventive Services is a free resource to help you choose programs and policies to improve health and prevent disease in your community.  Monies from the grant can be used for the following items:

– Planned physical activity programs that might need equipment, such as: exer-gaming (technology-based games), exercise balls, jump ropes, scooters, bikes, bike racks, basketball hoops/nets, volleyball nets, etc.;

– Social support networks such as exercise or walking groups to encourage behavior change;

– Community/school gardens;

– Policies that will instill and/or provide opportunities and access for physical activity  at events or in various settings

– Programs that will increase the number of people who will participate in physical activity

Successful grantees will be notified after December 1, 2010.  All grant awards must be expended and activities implemented by June 30, 2011 and final reports completed and submitted by July 30, 2011.

Please read the enclosed materials carefully before completing your application.  We look forward to your participation and challenging Pennsylvania to Get Active!  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jessica Zilka at jzilka@state.pa.us.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Department’s web page (http://www.health.state.pa.us) and search Physical Activity Program, then Governor’s Council Mini-grant for additional information and links to informative websites.