Voices for Healthy Kids funds coordinated tribal, state and local public policy issue advocacy campaigns with a focus on health equity.
Our current funding opportunities are listed below.
Preemption Funding Opportunities
Preemption
Voices for Healthy Kids funds campaigns that support efforts to protect health and well-being and build thriving, equitable communities by promoting and defending local government power.
What is preemption? “Preemption” refers to the parameters that are established when a higher form of government dictates what a lower form of government can or cannot do. Historically, preemption was a neutral policy tool to help avoid conflicting regulations across levels of government. However, recently it has been used to strip local authority and silence constituent voices from making policies, regulations and ordinances that could protect communities and/or enhance equity and quality of life. This form of harmful preemption is what Voices for Healthy Kids is most concerned about stopping and/or reversing.
Voices for Healthy Kids’ grants fund proposed campaigns that support and drive tribal, state and local policy change efforts that aim to dramatically improve the wellness of infants, toddlers, children and families experiencing the greatest health disparities including Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino/a, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, 1st generation immigrants, persons with disabilities, and/or children in families with low-income.
We do not award regional grants, multi-location funding, or support for technical assistance-based strategies. These grant opportunities are only for work on preemption—they cannot be coupled with work outside of preemption. Grants will not be awarded for curriculum development or implementation, equipment, supplies, operations of physical activity, nutrition, or similar participant-based programs, capital expenditures, academic research, projects or programs or other non-advocacy purposes.
Up to $150,000 for Proactive and Repeal Campaign Grants
Grant duration up to 18 months
Funding supports full campaign activities including lobbying and non-lobbying aspects
We anticipate funding 3-5 preemption grants in this application round.
If you are from one of these states (GA, IN, MO, OH, TX, and WV), please contact Shannon Melluzzo and indicate which state you are from. We anticipate awarding 3-5 preemption grants in this application round.
Short Form Application Timeline
July 11, 2024
Call for Short Form Application Open
August 8, 2024 - 5 pm Pacific
Short Form Application Deadline
August 22, 2024
Notifications of Invite to Apply/Decline
Full Application Timeline
August 22, 2024
Application Available
September 23, 2024 - 5 pm Pacific
Application Deadline
October 10, 2024
Notification of Award or Decline
Please note, we make every attempt to adhere to the posted timeline but is subject to change.
Application Information:
Who we fund: Voices for Healthy Kids is evolving to improve the flow of funding to communities facing the greatest inequities and to work with community leaders and organizations that are making strides for change. We are committed to increasing funding to organizations and campaigns that demonstrate capacity to address issues impacting Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino/a, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, 1st generation immigrants, persons with disabilities, and families with low income.
Where we fund: Priority is given to communities experiencing the greatest inequities.
By trusting, supporting, and investing in the people and places experiencing the greatest inequities, we can remove barriers that stand in the way of healthy, thriving children and families everywhere.
While we learn a great deal through data, it is never the whole story. Each community has unique strengths and challenges that aren’t reflected by numbers, and we welcome applicants to share information related to their own challenges and their qualifications for addressing disparate outcomes.
Community Power Building: Priority will be given to campaigns that build power for community change and exhibit an understanding of institutional barriers and systemic racism that impact childhood wellness and foster equity.
Collaboration: Voices for Healthy Kids believes campaigns are most successful through collaboration between community organizations, advocacy groups, coalitions and others. All applications are expected to be submitted as a joint proposals of two or more organizations, either as co-lead and/or subgrant. See specific application overview for requirements.
Full instructions can be found on the grant application.
Two-step application process:
1. All interested, eligible applicants must submit a short form application August 8, 2024 at 5pm Pacific.
Submitted short form applications will be screened for policy alignment. Aligned campaigns will be invited to a 20-minute call to discuss their campaigns further. Lead, Co-Lead and/or Subgrant organizations will be invited to participcate on the call.
2. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit a full application for consideration in a competitive review process.
Expectations if Funded
Voices for Healthy Kids is not a typical funder. We work closely with our grantees by providing robust consultation, technical assistance, and training to help you achieve your public policy goals. Voices for Healthy Kids monitors grantees’ efforts and careful stewardship of grant funds to assure accountability.
Register for our live office hour to ask questions about the grant opportunity and application!
Questions about the application, budget, or grant management system are welcome during the office hours. We encourage all applicants to review the grant application instructions before attending the office hour.
Office Hour July 22, 2024 at 12pm PT/3pm ET | Watch Recording
Strategic Support for Preemption Campaigns
Strategic Support for Preemption Campaigns
What’s new: Voices for Healthy Kids wants to support strategic campaign tactics in your fight against harmful preemption.
We can help build support among key policymakers, educate local media on the dangers of preemption, help expose industry influence on state policymaking, or provide media training for your coalition and advocates to increase coverage.
Why It Matters: These exact strategies have helped across the country as states defend against or roll-back harmful preemption
Now we want to help you!
Meanwhile: We know that campaign managers are juggling a million tasks, and new tasks cost money and takes time.
To ease the burden, Voices for Healthy Kids has created this opportunity.
The bottom line: We provide both the staffing and pay for approved tactics, increasing your campaign's effectiveness while not overwhelming your staff. You provide your input, and we handle the rest!
Go deeper: More information is available below.
Campaign Tactics
Voices for Healthy Kids wants to support strategic campaign tactics in your fight against harmful preemption.
We can help build support among key policymakers, educate local media on the dangers of preemption, help expose industry influence on state policymaking, or provide media training for your coalition and advocates to increase coverage.
Below find further descriptions and links to examples of the types of tactics included in this opportunity. Have more questions? Reach out to us at voicesforhealthykids@heart.org.
Resource Request Timeline
The resource request form is open and awarded on a rolling basis. All applications must be submitted in our online grant management system.
1) Submit a form in the grant management system.
2) Within 2-3 weeks, you will be notified if your request has been approved.
3) If approved, you will be connected with a Voices for Healthy Kids team member to start working on your resource.
Application Template
For applicant convenience, below is a Word (.doc) version of the application questions. Click on the link to download the template to review the application questions and utilize these in preparing your application. These application templates are for draft work ONLY - all application submissions must be on the application forms in our online grant management portal.
All of our funded campaigns must pursue policy through legislation, regulation, or executive order but not through voluntary or programmatic success. These are public policy goals; therefore, public policy interventions are necessary. If you are selected to submit a full application, you will receive further instructions defining what we have determined are the minimum standards for our policy goals.
Policy Equity Exploration Research (PEER) Workgroup Grants
Policy Equity Exploration Research (PEER) Workgroup Grants
Voices for Healthy Kids strives to make every day healthier for all children. We work to advance equitable policies that make the places where kids and their families live, learn, and play healthier. Innovation is core to our mission, and we continuously work to develop new strategies to address systemic racism and inequities through policy change.
To drive innovation, Voices for Healthy Kids has invested in a series of Policy Equity Exploration Research (PEER) workgroups over the past 7 years. These PEER workgroups grants provide funding and structure for an organization to bring people together to examine and advance innovative public policy solutions. The resulting findings and recommendations inform Voices for Healthy Kids policy priorities, practices and beyond. Today, the PEER workgroups have a particular focus on public policies impacting expectant parents, infants, toddlers, their families, and their caregivers.
Workgroups identify a policy area and pose key question(s) to guide their work. Workgroup members are selected by the lead organization and typically include issue experts, allied organizations, representatives from communities facing the most significant inequities, advocates, those with lived experience, and others. The projects conclude with the creation of resources and/or recommendations to inform and guide equity-centered public policy change at the federal, tribal, state, or local level.
Examples of past workgroups
Integrating Authentic Community Voice in Tax Design
Removing Discriminatory Barriers that Block Family Access to Head Start and Early Head Start
Each workgroup and project are unique, but each will share these characteristics:
Identifies a policy area and key question(s) that impact expectant parents, infants, toddlers, their families, and caregivers.
Policy areas can include maternal health, family economic supports, healthcare access and support, child care, nutrition security, and other innovative policy areas.
Explores innovative and equity-centered ideas to impact policy development, advocacy, implementation, and/or evaluations of policies.
Explore policies intended to improve the wellness of expectant parents, infants, toddlers, children, and families experiencing the greatest health disparities. This includes Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino/a, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, 1st generation immigrants, persons with disabilities, or children in families with low-income.
Considerations when identifying the policy area and key question(s):
Have the policy areas and key question(s) been explored by others? If so, how will this exploration be different?
How will the findings from this workgroup advance equity in public policy change?
Applications can be submitted for up to $50,000. Although applications are open and funded on a rolling bases, we aim to fund three workgroups by the end of July 2024.
After grant approval, each workgroup will co-design specific deliverables with Voices for Healthy Kids to provide a clear product or resource for the work.
Final product/resource will be designed for a specific audience(s), in a shareable format, and will be tailored for maximum reach or impact.
The workgroup can have a federal, tribal, state, or local policy focus but should have findings and concepts that can be extrapolated to a greater context.
Each workgroup will include members with diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise, and will share leadership with those most impacted by the policies being examined.
Each workgroup will complete its work within a 12-month grant period.
Funding can be requested for up to $50,000.
Application process
PEER Workgroup applications are open and funded on a rolling basis.
1. Interested organizations submit a Call Request Form in the grant management system to briefly describe their concept and research question.
2. Concepts aligned with Voices for Healthy Kids goals will be invited to a 30-minute call.
3. Applicants are notified if they have been selected to submit a full application.
Call Request Form and Application Templates
For applicant convenience, below are editable versions (Word and Excel) of our current grant application questions. Click on the links to download the template to review and work in before copy and pasting your application responses in the online form. These application templates are for draft work ONLY - any application submission must be on the application forms in our online grant management system.
Organizations must be 501(c)(3), non-profit organizations with a priority on state and community led organizations.
Preference given to tribal, state, or local organizations that are led by the populations impacted by health disparities: Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino/a, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, 1st generation immigrants, persons with disabilities, or children in families with low-income.
National organizations may apply but must include a co-facilitator who has strong equity-based experience and background representing communities impacted by health disparities.
This opportunity is not open to American Heart Association applicants.
Rapid Response requests support critically timed needs of mature campaigns in push-for-passage mode (strategic time in final states of a policy passing) or to support a defensive campaign that would prevent a harmful policy from being passed. Funding is designed to support strategically targeted needs such as grassroots organizing, coalition building, polling, and media relations of campaigns as the campaign is in its final stages.
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.
Campaigns must have exhausted all other resources available and establish that critical resources are needed for a final push to passage during the end stage of a legislative or regulatory campaign or a defensive campaign.
Applicants must meet the organizational eligibility to apply.
Interested applicants need to contact voicesforhealthykids@heart.org to request a pre-screening call with a National Consultant. Please provide a brief description of the policy campaign, timeline and the issue area the campaign supports. Based on the pre-screening call, organizations may be invited to complete an application.
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 Policy Engagement Manager to determine eligibility and gain access to an application.
Application Templates
For applicant convenience, below is a list of Word (.doc) versions of our current grant application questions. Click on the links to download the template to review and work in before copy and pasting your application responses in the online form. These application templates are for draft work ONLY - any application submission must be on the application forms in our online grant management portal, which requires organizations to register.
Policy Campaign Finish Line Funding Application Template (Coming Soon)
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 Account." You must register to access the application materials. If you do not receive an email to verify your account, check your junk folder. You must use the verification link in the email to gain access to the grant management system.
If you have any questions on the Voices for Healthy Kids Grant Opportunities, please contact Shannon Melluzzo, Manager, Advocacy Grants.
Applications must be specific to an individual campaign for public policy change in a tribe, state or local geographic area supporting one Voices for Healthy Kids policy priorities.
Organization Eligibility
To be eligible as a Lead, Co-Lead or Subgrant applicant organization, an organization must have tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) as a public charity or under section 501(c)(4); have a fiscal sponsor that is a section 501(c)(3) public charity or a section 501(c)(4) organization; or be a federally recognized Indian tribe or a subdivision of a tribe.
We are unable to fund private foundations, non-functionally integrated Type III supporting organizations, or government agencies (including public schools, state universities, etc.).
Grant requirements include the ability to conduct lobbying activities as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. Section 501(c)(3) public charities are able to lobby; however, if your organization is restricted or prohibited from conducting lobbying activities by your leadership/board of directors, you are not eligible for this grant.
Consult your legal counsel for guidance on lobbying. 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.
Voices for Healthy Kids values authentic community engagement and equity-building strategies in all aspects of supported campaigns. Organizations would ideally be representative of the following populations: Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino/a, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1st generation immigrants, persons with disabilities, and families with low income.
Funded Campaigns
Voices for Healthy Kids is currently funding the following organizations who are working to improve the health of children, families and communities through equitable policy change, with a specific focus on those experiencing systemic racism and historic oppression.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Children's Action Alliance, Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children, Arizona Early Childhood Education Association, Arizona Head Start Association, and Southern Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children - Arizona
New York Immigration Coalition, LSA Family Health Service, Fifth Avenue Committee, Inc., and Masa-Mex-Ed, Inc. - New York City
Parents Leading for Educational Equity and Rhode Island KIDS COUNT - Rhode Island
Healthy, Accessible Food and Drinks
AHA Arkansas and Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention - Arkansas
ACCESS Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, Arab American Heritage Council, African Bureau of Immigration and Social Affairs, and Michigan League for Public Policy - Michigan
Nebraska Appleseed, Heart Ministry Center, and RISE Academy (RISE) - Nebraska
PennEnvironment Research and Policy Center, Inc. – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Preemption
Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families - Arkansas
Coalition for Tobacco-Free West Virginia
Every Texan (formerly Center for Public Policy Priorities)
Fuerte Arts Movement
Georgians for a Healthy Future
Indiana Coalition for Human Services
Missouri Workers Center
Ohio Mayors Alliance Foundation
Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC)
Paid Family and Medical Leave
Children First PA (formerly PCCY), Maternity Care Coalition, and United Way of Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania
Southwest Women's Law Center and AHA New Mexico - New Mexico
Advocacy Impact Pilot
Charleston, SC
Charleston Hope
E3 Foundation (Educate, Empower, Elevate)
The Beloved Early Education and Care Collective (BEE)
YWCA Greater Charleston
East Baton Rouge, LA
The Walls Project
Center for Planning Excellence and the Power Coalition
BREADA
Three O'clock Project and Health Care Center in Schools, Inc.
Gulf Port, MS
CLIMB CDC
Magnolia Medical Foundation
Morning Star Baptist Church
Teen Health Mississippi
Tulsa, OK
HARRISON HOPE
Hunger Free Oklahoma, a fund of Tulsa Community Foundation
ImpactTulsa
Teach Not Punish Family Resource Center, Inc
Innovation, Equity and Exploration (IEE)
Foundation for a Healthy North Dakota
Clean Air Council
Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP
Voices for Healthy Kids does not typically fund multiple campaigns focused on the same issue within the same geographic area. We value collaboration and coordination. If there is an organization listed above that is funded in the issue area and location that interests you, please contact us to be connected to the campaign.
Preemption Funding OpportunitiesStrategic Support for Preemption CampaignsPublic Policy PrioritiesPolicy Equity Exploration Research (PEER) Workgroup GrantsRapid Response and Finish Line FundingOnline Grant Management SystemEligibilityFunded Campaigns
Preemption
Voices for Healthy Kids funds campaigns that support efforts to protect health and well-being and build thriving, equitable communities by promoting and defending local government power.
What is preemption? “Preemption” refers to the parameters that are established when a higher form of government dictates what a lower form of government can or cannot do. Historically, preemption was a neutral policy tool to help avoid conflicting regulations across levels of government. However, recently it has been used to strip local authority and silence constituent voices from making policies, regulations and ordinances that could protect communities and/or enhance equity and quality of life. This form of harmful preemption is what Voices for Healthy Kids is most concerned about stopping and/or reversing.
Voices for Healthy Kids’ grants fund proposed campaigns that support and drive tribal, state and local policy change efforts that aim to dramatically improve the wellness of infants, toddlers, children and families experiencing the greatest health disparities including Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino/a, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, 1st generation immigrants, persons with disabilities, and/or children in families with low-income.
We do not award regional grants, multi-location funding, or support for technical assistance-based strategies. These grant opportunities are only for work on preemption—they cannot be coupled with work outside of preemption. Grants will not be awarded for curriculum development or implementation, equipment, supplies, operations of physical activity, nutrition, or similar participant-based programs, capital expenditures, academic research, projects or programs or other non-advocacy purposes.
Up to $150,000 for Proactive and Repeal Campaign Grants
Grant duration up to 18 months
Funding supports full campaign activities including lobbying and non-lobbying aspects
We anticipate funding 3-5 preemption grants in this application round.
If you are from one of these states (GA, IN, MO, OH, TX, and WV), please contact Shannon Melluzzo and indicate which state you are from. We anticipate awarding 3-5 preemption grants in this application round.
Short Form Application Timeline
July 11, 2024
Call for Short Form Application Open
August 8, 2024 - 5 pm Pacific
Short Form Application Deadline
August 22, 2024
Notifications of Invite to Apply/Decline
Full Application Timeline
August 22, 2024
Application Available
September 23, 2024 - 5 pm Pacific
Application Deadline
October 10, 2024
Notification of Award or Decline
Please note, we make every attempt to adhere to the posted timeline but is subject to change.
Preemption Cross-Issue Coalition Grant (up to $70,000)
Support cross-issue coalitions that will organize and coordinate efforts to work across a variety of specific issues all with the common threat of harmful preemption. For example, state laws limiting the ability of cities and counties to regulate, tax or otherwise enact laws stronger than state law related to building healthy, equitable communities – not specific to tobacco, nutrition, etc., but in a broader sense of opposing the silencing of community voice, local freedoms, protecting/enhancing equity, etc.
New this round: Applicants are required to include up to two community-based organizations as subgrants as part of their application. Lead organization can request $50,000 and include up to two subgrants for an additional $10,000 each to support smaller community-based organizations to play an active role in the cross-issue preemption coalition. The community-based organizations should represent a specific constituency that is vulnerable to harmful preemption, such as low-wage workers, rural communities, expectant parents and parents of infants and toddlers, communities that experience systemic racism or other forms of oppression, civic engagement, and voter access groups, etc. These subgrantee organizations will serve as the cross-issue coalition’s liaison to their constituencies representing their interests at the statewide table, sharing information back and forth, accessing training and technical assistance to build and activating their constituency in times of high risk and high opportunity.
Application Templates For applicant convenience, below is a list of Word (.doc) versions the application questions. Click on the links to download the template to review the application questions and utilize these in preparing your application. These application templates are for draft work ONLY - all application submissions must be on the application forms in our online grant management portal.
Preemption Proactive Campaign Grant (up to $150,000)
Oppose new legislation or policies limiting the ability of cities and counties to regulate, tax or otherwise enact laws stronger than state law related to building healthy, equitable communities. Rather than taking a reactionary approach, these proactive campaigns will expend funds by directing their tactics in preparation for and duration of their legislative session(s) known to have preemption threats instead of holding the funds until the threat is imminent.
New this round: Applications are required to be collaborative and include at least one community-based organization as a co-lead(s) and/or subgrant(s) as part of the application. Co-Leads or Subgrants organizations could be organizations representing voting rights, public health, civil rights, family economic support, or public education. Key tactics that co-leads/subgrants could take on as part of the campaign include media advocacy, lawmaker education, grassroots recruitment and mobilization in key districts, etc..
Application Templates For applicant convenience, below is a list of Word (.doc) versions the application questions. Click on the links to download the template to review the application questions and utilize these in preparing your application. These application templates are for draft work ONLY - all application submissions must be on the application forms in our online grant management portal.
Support the repeal of existing legislation or policies that limit the ability of cities and counties to regulate, tax or otherwise enact laws stronger than state law related to building healthy, equitable communities.
New this round: Applications are required to be collaborative and include at least one community-based organization as a co-lead(s) and/or subgrant(s) as part of the application. Co-Leads or Subgrants organizations could be organizations representing voting rights, public health, civil rights, family economic support, or public education. Key tactics that co-leads/subgrants could take on as part of the campaign include media advocacy, lawmaker education, grassroots recruitment and mobilization in key districts, etc..
Application Templates For applicant convenience, below is a list of Word (.doc) versions the application questions. Click on the links to download the template to review the application questions and utilize these in preparing your application. These application templates are for draft work ONLY - all application submissions must be on the application forms in our online grant management portal.
Who we fund: Voices for Healthy Kids is evolving to improve the flow of funding to communities facing the greatest inequities and to work with community leaders and organizations that are making strides for change. We are committed to increasing funding to organizations and campaigns that demonstrate capacity to address issues impacting Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino/a, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, 1st generation immigrants, persons with disabilities, and families with low income.
Where we fund: Priority is given to communities experiencing the greatest inequities.
By trusting, supporting, and investing in the people and places experiencing the greatest inequities, we can remove barriers that stand in the way of healthy, thriving children and families everywhere.
While we learn a great deal through data, it is never the whole story. Each community has unique strengths and challenges that aren’t reflected by numbers, and we welcome applicants to share information related to their own challenges and their qualifications for addressing disparate outcomes.
Community Power Building: Priority will be given to campaigns that build power for community change and exhibit an understanding of institutional barriers and systemic racism that impact childhood wellness and foster equity.
Collaboration: Voices for Healthy Kids believes campaigns are most successful through collaboration between community organizations, advocacy groups, coalitions and others. All applications are expected to be submitted as a joint proposals of two or more organizations, either as co-lead and/or subgrant. See specific application overview for requirements.
Full instructions can be found on the grant application.
Two-step application process:
1. All interested, eligible applicants must submit a short form application August 8, 2024 at 5pm Pacific.
Submitted short form applications will be screened for policy alignment. Aligned campaigns will be invited to a 20-minute call to discuss their campaigns further. Lead, Co-Lead and/or Subgrant organizations will be invited to participcate on the call.
2. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit a full application for consideration in a competitive review process.
Expectations if Funded
Voices for Healthy Kids is not a typical funder. We work closely with our grantees by providing robust consultation, technical assistance, and training to help you achieve your public policy goals. Voices for Healthy Kids monitors grantees’ efforts and careful stewardship of grant funds to assure accountability.
Register for our live office hour to ask questions about the grant opportunity and application!
Questions about the application, budget, or grant management system are welcome during the office hours. We encourage all applicants to review the grant application instructions before attending the office hour.
Office Hour July 22, 2024 at 12pm PT/3pm ET | Watch Recording
Strategic Support for Preemption Campaigns
What’s new: Voices for Healthy Kids wants to support strategic campaign tactics in your fight against harmful preemption.
We can help build support among key policymakers, educate local media on the dangers of preemption, help expose industry influence on state policymaking, or provide media training for your coalition and advocates to increase coverage.
Why It Matters: These exact strategies have helped across the country as states defend against or roll-back harmful preemption
Now we want to help you!
Meanwhile: We know that campaign managers are juggling a million tasks, and new tasks cost money and takes time.
To ease the burden, Voices for Healthy Kids has created this opportunity.
The bottom line: We provide both the staffing and pay for approved tactics, increasing your campaign's effectiveness while not overwhelming your staff. You provide your input, and we handle the rest!
Go deeper: More information is available below.
Campaign Tactics
Voices for Healthy Kids wants to support strategic campaign tactics in your fight against harmful preemption.
We can help build support among key policymakers, educate local media on the dangers of preemption, help expose industry influence on state policymaking, or provide media training for your coalition and advocates to increase coverage.
Below find further descriptions and links to examples of the types of tactics included in this opportunity. Have more questions? Reach out to us at voicesforhealthykids@heart.org.
Media Roundtable Event (Estimated value: $4,000 | ~1-3 months to complete)
We can work with your campaign folks to plan a media roundtable event in your area. Holding an off-the-record conversation with select media, elected officials, and/or community members can prove to be a great way to elevate the conversation around preemption and to educate people on its harmful ripple effects.
Learn how Texas, Kansas, and Ohio leveraged this opportunity. Read More.
Media Spokesperson Training (Estimated value: $3,000 virtual, $12,000 in-person | 1-3 months to complete)
Take advantage of an opportunity to train your team, coalition members, and partners in the best way to respond to the media, prepare for legislative testimony and, become more comfortable with speaking out about your campaign plans and focus.
Example learning objectives for a Spokesperson Training:
Understand the importance of messages and breakdown the elements of a message
Review preemption specific messages based on public opinion research projects
Practice clear and visual language, storytelling, and techniques to stay on message
Pathways of Influence Reports (Estimated value: $4,500/report | ~3 months to complete)
Pathways of Influence reports provide research on key decision makers to help you learn more about that decision maker and how to influence them. We can develop comprehensive reports or smaller more focused inquiries.
Example Outline for a Pathways of Influence Report:
Biography
Personal life
Board membership and awards
Political career
Voting record
Ideology and approach
Staff information (tenure, career background, social media pages)
District profile
Political donors
Endorsements
Recommendations for pathways to influence key decision maker
Conclusions and other considerations
Public Records (FOIA) Requests (Estimated value: $500+ | ~1-3 months to complete)
A public records request, or Freedom of Information Act request (FOIA), can help uncover government agency records and government employee communications. The public has a right to access government records, each state has different freedom of information laws, but we can help you navigate that landscape.
Resource Request Timeline
The resource request form is open and awarded on a rolling basis. All applications must be submitted in our online grant management system.
1) Submit a form in the grant management system.
2) Within 2-3 weeks, you will be notified if your request has been approved.
3) If approved, you will be connected with a Voices for Healthy Kids team member to start working on your resource.
Application Template
For applicant convenience, below is a Word (.doc) version of the application questions. Click on the link to download the template to review the application questions and utilize these in preparing your application. These application templates are for draft work ONLY - all application submissions must be on the application forms in our online grant management portal.
All of our funded campaigns must pursue policy through legislation, regulation, or executive order but not through voluntary or programmatic success. These are public policy goals; therefore, public policy interventions are necessary. If you are selected to submit a full application, you will receive further instructions defining what we have determined are the minimum standards for our policy goals.
We fund campaigns that aim to secure tribal, state, or local funding to increase access to affordable and quality childcare programs for children in low-income communities by providing better supports to childcare programs. The minimum annual appropriation must be $300,000, $500,000 or $1 million depending on the population of the state or locality based on 2020 U.S. Census and include at least one of the following priorities:
Secure funding for targeted outreach, recruitment, and retention of licensed early care and education (ECE) programs and pre-licensure technical assistance. Prioritize funding to build supply in rural areas, child-care deserts, areas with a high proportion of exempt providers, and family childcare homes.
Assist childcare facilities in securing funding for capital improvements which would help facilitate healthy eating and physical activity (HEPA) standard implementation.
Increase subsidy reimbursement rates for child-care providers meeting HEPA standards through licensing.
We fund campaigns that aim to secure tribal or state funding to support Head Start/Early Head Start programs for currently eligible children and/or children from families above current income eligibility requirements. Minimum annual appropriation of $1 million, $3 million or $5 million depending on the population of the state based on the 2020 U.S. Census.
We do not fund policy campaigns that aim to create new state/local agencies, the creation of new citizen’s committees or ‘Children’s Cabinets.’ We also do not fund campaigns that aim to require only from-scratch cooking/non-packaged food or vegetarian/vegan only food in the childcare environment.
Voices for Healthy Kids funds campaigns that support state-level policies to ensure employees – public sector, private sector, or both – have access to paid family and medical leave programs that provide sufficient paid time off to manage significant personal or family life events and needs, such as managing a serious personal health condition, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, or bonding with a new child after birth, adoption, or placement in foster care.
Voices for Healthy Kids funds campaigns that support state policies to expand access to no-cost healthy school meals to the greatest extent possible (full universal meals, no-cost breakfast OR lunch, covering the cost or reduced-price meals, maximizing participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), etc.). States should prioritize expansion at the local level for school districts with the greatest need.
Voices for Healthy Kids funds community-centered campaigns that work with policy makers at the tribal, state, and local level to adopt excise taxes on sugary drinks to reduce consumption and raise revenue for communities that are most burdened by health inequity. Communities must be engaged as full partners in the decision to pursue a tax and with each of the tax policy process steps – tax design, adoption, implementation, and revenue allocation.
Voices for Healthy Kids funds state campaigns that support policies to maximize SNAP participation or expand benefits for eligible households. There are two options: (1) encourage eligible states to adopt broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) or (2) pursue policies to support SNAP access as detailed in the USDA SNAP State Options report or other innovative policies to expand benefits .
We do not fund project work, direct incentives to participants or farmers markets or any non-binding policy efforts.
Voices for Healthy Kids funds policy campaigns at the tribal, state and local level that increase participant access to eligible fruits and vegetables. We fund campaigns that seek to secure state or local government funds for SNAP incentives and produce prescriptions programs. Funds can be used to establish or expand dollar-for-dollar match programs, purchase technology, support staffing and/or promote participation. At this time, Voices for Healthy Kids only funds produce prescription campaigns that would be funded with state or local government funds, not programs funded through Medicare or Medicaid.
We do not fund non-binding policy or incremental change such as seeking of USDA waivers or other systems changes that are administrative only or otherwise not sustainable.
Voices for Healthy Kids funds campaigns that help enact policies at the state, local, or school-district level to increase access to drinking water in schools and communities. We fund campaigns at the state level that help enact policies that ensure all newly constructed schools and schools undergoing major renovations have water bottle filling stations. We also fund appropriations policy campaigns that support water bottle filling station installations, prioritizing Tier 1 and high-needs schools first. We are currently exploring opportunities to fund campaigns pursuing community water access.
Innovative policy approaches to impact the health equity and wellbeing of children prenatally-through-age-3 that are not currently listed in our defined policy issue areas. For example, policies to improve family income supports, nutrition security, birth justice, maternal health, or tax policy.
Policy Equity Exploration Research (PEER) Workgroup Grants
Voices for Healthy Kids strives to make every day healthier for all children. We work to advance equitable policies that make the places where kids and their families live, learn, and play healthier. Innovation is core to our mission, and we continuously work to develop new strategies to address systemic racism and inequities through policy change.
To drive innovation, Voices for Healthy Kids has invested in a series of Policy Equity Exploration Research (PEER) workgroups over the past 7 years. These PEER workgroups grants provide funding and structure for an organization to bring people together to examine and advance innovative public policy solutions. The resulting findings and recommendations inform Voices for Healthy Kids policy priorities, practices and beyond. Today, the PEER workgroups have a particular focus on public policies impacting expectant parents, infants, toddlers, their families, and their caregivers.
Workgroups identify a policy area and pose key question(s) to guide their work. Workgroup members are selected by the lead organization and typically include issue experts, allied organizations, representatives from communities facing the most significant inequities, advocates, those with lived experience, and others. The projects conclude with the creation of resources and/or recommendations to inform and guide equity-centered public policy change at the federal, tribal, state, or local level.
Examples of past workgroups
Integrating Authentic Community Voice in Tax Design
Removing Discriminatory Barriers that Block Family Access to Head Start and Early Head Start
Each workgroup and project are unique, but each will share these characteristics:
Identifies a policy area and key question(s) that impact expectant parents, infants, toddlers, their families, and caregivers.
Policy areas can include maternal health, family economic supports, healthcare access and support, child care, nutrition security, and other innovative policy areas.
Explores innovative and equity-centered ideas to impact policy development, advocacy, implementation, and/or evaluations of policies.
Explore policies intended to improve the wellness of expectant parents, infants, toddlers, children, and families experiencing the greatest health disparities. This includes Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino/a, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, 1st generation immigrants, persons with disabilities, or children in families with low-income.
Considerations when identifying the policy area and key question(s):
Have the policy areas and key question(s) been explored by others? If so, how will this exploration be different?
How will the findings from this workgroup advance equity in public policy change?
Applications can be submitted for up to $50,000. Although applications are open and funded on a rolling bases, we aim to fund three workgroups by the end of July 2024.
After grant approval, each workgroup will co-design specific deliverables with Voices for Healthy Kids to provide a clear product or resource for the work.
Final product/resource will be designed for a specific audience(s), in a shareable format, and will be tailored for maximum reach or impact.
The workgroup can have a federal, tribal, state, or local policy focus but should have findings and concepts that can be extrapolated to a greater context.
Each workgroup will include members with diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise, and will share leadership with those most impacted by the policies being examined.
Each workgroup will complete its work within a 12-month grant period.
Funding can be requested for up to $50,000.
Application process
PEER Workgroup applications are open and funded on a rolling basis.
1. Interested organizations submit a Call Request Form in the grant management system to briefly describe their concept and research question.
2. Concepts aligned with Voices for Healthy Kids goals will be invited to a 30-minute call.
3. Applicants are notified if they have been selected to submit a full application.
Call Request Form and Application Templates
For applicant convenience, below are editable versions (Word and Excel) of our current grant application questions. Click on the links to download the template to review and work in before copy and pasting your application responses in the online form. These application templates are for draft work ONLY - any application submission must be on the application forms in our online grant management system.
Organizations must be 501(c)(3), non-profit organizations with a priority on state and community led organizations.
Preference given to tribal, state, or local organizations that are led by the populations impacted by health disparities: Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino/a, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, 1st generation immigrants, persons with disabilities, or children in families with low-income.
National organizations may apply but must include a co-facilitator who has strong equity-based experience and background representing communities impacted by health disparities.
This opportunity is not open to American Heart Association applicants.
Rapid Response requests support critically timed needs of mature campaigns in push-for-passage mode (strategic time in final states of a policy passing) or to support a defensive campaign that would prevent a harmful policy from being passed. Funding is designed to support strategically targeted needs such as grassroots organizing, coalition building, polling, and media relations of campaigns as the campaign is in its final stages.
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.
Campaigns must have exhausted all other resources available and establish that critical resources are needed for a final push to passage during the end stage of a legislative or regulatory campaign or a defensive campaign.
Applicants must meet the organizational eligibility to apply.
Interested applicants need to contact voicesforhealthykids@heart.org to request a pre-screening call with a National Consultant. Please provide a brief description of the policy campaign, timeline and the issue area the campaign supports. Based on the pre-screening call, organizations may be invited to complete an application.
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 Policy Engagement Manager to determine eligibility and gain access to an application.
Application Templates
For applicant convenience, below is a list of Word (.doc) versions of our current grant application questions. Click on the links to download the template to review and work in before copy and pasting your application responses in the online form. These application templates are for draft work ONLY - any application submission must be on the application forms in our online grant management portal, which requires organizations to register.
Policy Campaign Finish Line Funding Application Template (Coming Soon)
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 Account." You must register to access the application materials. If you do not receive an email to verify your account, check your junk folder. You must use the verification link in the email to gain access to the grant management system.
If you have any questions on the Voices for Healthy Kids Grant Opportunities, please contact Shannon Melluzzo, Manager, Advocacy Grants.
Applications must be specific to an individual campaign for public policy change in a tribe, state or local geographic area supporting one Voices for Healthy Kids policy priorities.
Organization Eligibility
To be eligible as a Lead, Co-Lead or Subgrant applicant organization, an organization must have tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) as a public charity or under section 501(c)(4); have a fiscal sponsor that is a section 501(c)(3) public charity or a section 501(c)(4) organization; or be a federally recognized Indian tribe or a subdivision of a tribe.
We are unable to fund private foundations, non-functionally integrated Type III supporting organizations, or government agencies (including public schools, state universities, etc.).
Grant requirements include the ability to conduct lobbying activities as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. Section 501(c)(3) public charities are able to lobby; however, if your organization is restricted or prohibited from conducting lobbying activities by your leadership/board of directors, you are not eligible for this grant.
Consult your legal counsel for guidance on lobbying. 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.
Voices for Healthy Kids values authentic community engagement and equity-building strategies in all aspects of supported campaigns. Organizations would ideally be representative of the following populations: Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino/a, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1st generation immigrants, persons with disabilities, and families with low income.
Voices for Healthy Kids is currently funding the following organizations who are working to improve the health of children, families and communities through equitable policy change, with a specific focus on those experiencing systemic racism and historic oppression.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Children's Action Alliance, Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children, Arizona Early Childhood Education Association, Arizona Head Start Association, and Southern Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children - Arizona
New York Immigration Coalition, LSA Family Health Service, Fifth Avenue Committee, Inc., and Masa-Mex-Ed, Inc. - New York City
Parents Leading for Educational Equity and Rhode Island KIDS COUNT - Rhode Island
Healthy, Accessible Food and Drinks
AHA Arkansas and Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention - Arkansas
ACCESS Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, Arab American Heritage Council, African Bureau of Immigration and Social Affairs, and Michigan League for Public Policy - Michigan
Nebraska Appleseed, Heart Ministry Center, and RISE Academy (RISE) - Nebraska
PennEnvironment Research and Policy Center, Inc. – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Preemption
Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families - Arkansas
Coalition for Tobacco-Free West Virginia
Every Texan (formerly Center for Public Policy Priorities)
Fuerte Arts Movement
Georgians for a Healthy Future
Indiana Coalition for Human Services
Missouri Workers Center
Ohio Mayors Alliance Foundation
Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC)
Paid Family and Medical Leave
Children First PA (formerly PCCY), Maternity Care Coalition, and United Way of Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania
Southwest Women's Law Center and AHA New Mexico - New Mexico
Advocacy Impact Pilot
Charleston, SC
Charleston Hope
E3 Foundation (Educate, Empower, Elevate)
The Beloved Early Education and Care Collective (BEE)
YWCA Greater Charleston
East Baton Rouge, LA
The Walls Project
Center for Planning Excellence and the Power Coalition
BREADA
Three O'clock Project and Health Care Center in Schools, Inc.
Gulf Port, MS
CLIMB CDC
Magnolia Medical Foundation
Morning Star Baptist Church
Teen Health Mississippi
Tulsa, OK
HARRISON HOPE
Hunger Free Oklahoma, a fund of Tulsa Community Foundation
ImpactTulsa
Teach Not Punish Family Resource Center, Inc
Innovation, Equity and Exploration (IEE)
Foundation for a Healthy North Dakota
Clean Air Council
Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP
Voices for Healthy Kids does not typically fund multiple campaigns focused on the same issue within the same geographic area. We value collaboration and coordination. If there is an organization listed above that is funded in the issue area and location that interests you, please contact us to be connected to the campaign.
This link is provided for convenience only and is not an endorsement of either the linked-to entity or any product or service.