Grant Opportunities

Summary

The Policy Campaign Grant awards grants to support strategic issue advocacy campaigns supporting Voices for Healthy Kids policy priorities. Applications must be specific to an individual campaign for public policy change in one state, local, or tribal geographic location. We do not award regional grants, multi-location funding, multi-issue area, or support for technical assistance-based strategies. 

Applications can be submitted for up to $250,000 with a duration of up to 18 months and can support non-lobbying and lobbying tactics. Voices for Healthy Kids values authentic community engagement and equity-building tactics in all aspects of supported campaigns. Voices for Healthy Kids has a two-step application process in the online grant management system. First, all interested, eligible applicants must submit a letter of intent. Then, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application for consideration in a competitive review process. 

All application instructions and the application form are located in the online grant management system. 

Letters of Intent Timeline

Invited Applicants Timeline

**All applicants awarded are required to attend the New Grantee Onboarding and All Grantee Meeting on October 4-7, 2020 in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico.

Summary

Advancements in public health have relied upon a thriving and engaged democratic process that supports innovative policy making at the local level. Broader social justice movements – including those focused on achieving equity – also often start locally. Local policy-making is currently under threat by an onslaught of policies that stop, limit, or discourage local communities from enacting policy solutions. Referred to as preemption, these policies occur when a higher form of government (such as a state legislature) limits a lower form of government (such as a city council) from taking action on an issue. Preemption is becoming an increasingly common state legislative tactic and is extending to a greater number of policy issue areas. In many cases, pro-preemption lawmakers are acting as agents of special interests often more intent on protecting corporate profits and power than improving community health or wellness. These harmful preemption actions can perpetuate disparities, prohibit policy action on the social determinants of health, and hurt local democracy. 

To continue to ensure success in advocacy at the local level, we are currently accepting letters of intent from applicants focusing on preemption efforts: preventing states from blocking local actions that promote health, well-being, and equity. Specific policies include: 

• Preemption Repeal: Support the repeal of existing state laws limiting the ability of cities and counties to regulate, tax, or otherwise enact legislation stronger than state law related to building healthy, equitable communities
  
  
• Preemption Defense: Oppose legislation limiting the ability of cities and counties to regulate, tax or otherwise enact legislation stronger than state law regarding issues related to building healthy, equitable communities

All interested, eligible applicants must submit a letter of intent. Select applicants will be invited to submit a full application for consideration in a competitive review process. 

All application instructions and the application form are located in the online grant management system.

Letters of Intent Timeline

Invited Applicants Timeline

**All applicants awarded are required to attend the New Grantee Onboarding and All Grantee Meeting on October 4-7, 2020 in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico.

Rapid Response Funding

Rapid Response Funding grants are designed to fund strategically targeted needs of campaigns in push-for-passage mode. Funds may be requested up to $60,000 for a time period of weeks to a few months. Rapid Response grants are open to campaigns not currently or previously funded by Voices for Healthy Kids for the requested policy lever. These grants are designed to fund strategically targeted needs of campaigns in push-for-passage mode and range from award period of weeks to a few months. Interested applicants need to contact voicesforhealthykids@heart.org to request a pre-screening call with a State and Community Advocacy Manager. 

Finish Line Funding

Finish Line Funding supports short-term, critically timed requests during the final push-for-passage of policy. Voices for Healthy Kids provides the finish line funding opportunity to current grantees nearing the end of their grant or past grantees continuing their grant related work. Requests up to $50,000 with a duration of weeks to a few months will be considered. Applicants should discuss the need with their State and Community Advocacy Manger to determine eligibility and gain access to an application.

All applications are submitted through the Voices for Healthy Kids online grant management system, and registration is required. Please follow these simple steps to register: 

• If you are a returning user to the system simply log into the Grant Management System. If you need to reset your password, please use “forgot my password,” enter your email address, and submit. You will receive an email with a link to update your password. 
  
  
• If you are new to the Grant Management System, read the New to the Grants Management System instructions and click on “Create an Account Now.” You must register to access the application materials. It may take up to 2 business days for your registration to be approved. 

If you have any questions on the Voices for Healthy Kids Grant Opportunities, please contact Shannon Melluzzo, Grants Manager. 

Applicants must be nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under of the Internal Revenue Code and are not private foundation or non-functionally integrated Type III supporting organizations (no government agencies). 

Applications must be specific to an individual campaign for public policy change in one state, local, or tribal geographic location supporting Voices for Healthy Kids policy priorities. 

Grant requirements include the ability to conduct lobbying activities as defined by the IRS code. If your organization is restricted to conducting educational activities and prohibited from conducting lobbying activities, you are not eligible for this grant. 

Please consult your legal counsel for guidance on lobbying; however, in general, lobbying includes: communicating directly with legislators on specific legislation concerning your views on such legislation, or, communicating to the public on specific legislation concerning your views on legislation and asking them to take action. 

Preference is given to organizations that are led by and/or are of the underserved communities that are at greatest risk for obesity, including lower-income communities and communities of color.