Get Healthy Kentucky Grant Program

The GHK grant program will provide grants of up to $20,000 to local and county governments to implement built environment initiatives in communities around Kentucky. The program seeks to offset the costs for communities to provide opportunities for citizens to make healthy choices. To ensure there is collaboration with existing efforts within the state, grantees are encouraged to work with existing Partnership for a Fit Ky Regional Coalitions and will be required to provide a letter of support from the Coalition Coordinator in order to be eligible for the grant.   

A. Eligible Grantees

Grants are available to Local and/or County Governments that are willing to work together to improve the built environment in their community.  Applications for awards must meet the following criteria to be eligible:

• Provide a detailed plan and budget outlining the project.
• Provide matching funds (no in-kind) of 40% of the award to be used for the proposed project.
• Demonstrate how this proposal will impact the long-term health of the community.
• Demonstrate how this proposal will be sustained over time.
• Outline what demographic will likely benefit from this project.
• Provide a letter of support from the appropriate city/county official.
• Provide a letter of support from the Partnership for a Fit KY Regional Coalition Coordinator in the area.

Note: Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate a community approach and involvement
 
The Governor’s Office of Wellness and Physical Activity has set minimum eligibility requirements for this grant program in order to avoid placing too many restrictions on the nature of the arrangements within the communities and to allow flexibility to tailor a project to the communities’ needs.

B.  Eligible Projects
 
Grant funds may be used for a variety of built environment projects.  Because of the broad possibilities and unique needs of the communities, the requirements for this grant are intentionally vague.  Below are examples of built environment projects:

• Development or enhancement of walking trails, playgrounds, parks facilities or improvements of existing facilities, equipment, etc. to encourage increased physical activity or improved nutrition.
• Partner with Safe Routes to School to enhance the ability to walk/bike to schoolcreate/enhance bikable communities.
• Create point-of-decision nutrition prompts for intervention in area stores and restaurants.
• Develop and promote a “Passport” for children where the passport is stamped at every visit to a participating restaurant or park when the child orders a healthy meal or exercises.

Applicants are required to supply matching funds on a forty percent (40%) basis. For instance, if applying for the maximum grant award of $20,000, applicants must match the grant funds with $8,000 of their own investment.  Matching funds from applicants must be cash contributions.

GHK Grants are competitive one-time grant awards. Open enrollment for the application process begins October 22, 2007. Acceptance of full applications will close on November 30, 2007. No applications will be accepted with a postmark date after November 30, 2007. Final award announcements will be made by December 31, 2007. 

For more information contact the Office of State Grants.