People on Vancouver Island will benefit from up to $800,000 in community wellness grants that are being provided by Island Health to improve the health and well-being of Island residents.
Now in its third year, Island Health’s community wellness granting program provides the opportunity for not-for-profit organizations, local government organizations and indigenous communities to apply for one-time funding for the development of new initiatives and programs. Criteria for community wellness grants includes healthy aging, positive mental health, social and family connectedness, healthy eating and physical activity.
A total of up to $600,000 is available for individual/small grant funding. Individual grants will be awarded up to $12,000 each.
To encourage partnerships and collaboration, the remaining $200,000 is allocated for projects that are multi-jurisdictional/multi-agency and involve a minimum of three partner organizations. Partnership grant applications will be awarded up to $50,000 each.
“Our community connections are vital – together, we truly are stronger,” says Kathy MacNeil, Island Health’s President and CEO. “We’re pleased to support many diverse partnerships through the Community Wellness Granting Program, and excited by the innovative projects that will benefit so many people living within Island Health.”
In the second year of Island Health’s community wellness granting program 50 grants were awarded to different organizations totalling nearly $700,000. This included four partnership grants ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 and 46 individual grants ranging from $5,000 to $12,000.
“By providing these funds, Island Health is acknowledging the powerful role of the social determinants of health. These grants have served, and will continue to serve, promoting and fostering ideas to advance health at the grassroots level,” says Dr. Richard Stanwick, Island Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer. “This initiative helps cement the critical relationship between Island Health and our communities in the pursuit of better and more fulfilling lives for all our citizens.”
For more information on how to apply for a community wellness grant and for updates on some of previous year’s recipients, please visit Island Health’s website at: http://communitygrants.islandhealth.ca/
Central/North Island media inquiries
Cheryl Bloxham
250.370.8878
Cheryl.Bloxham@islandhealth.ca
South Island media inquiries
Meribeth Burton
250.519.1815
Meribeth.burton@islandhealth.ca