American Heart Association seeks applicants for Community Impact Grants

MG_7971-165The Greater Boston division of the American Heart Association is currently seeking applicants for its Community Impact Grants. The organization will award $125,000 in grant funds this year to local non-profit community groups and organizations for heart-healthy programs focused on reducing cardiovascular disease and its risk factors.

“We are thrilled to be able to provide opportunities for local community groups and organizations who share a mutual passion with the American Heart Association in building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.” said Stefanie Smith, Director of Community Health for the American Heart Association. “Through our Community Impact Grants, we can help build a sustainable culture of health in the Greater Boston area so our residents live healthfully in environments that support healthy behaviors, timely and quality care, and well-being.”

Online applications for the 2016-2017 Community Impact Grants are now being accepted until January 31st. Any non-profit organization located in Suffolk, Norfolk, Middlesex, and Essex counties is eligible to apply. Applicants must have 501C3 status or partner with a 501C3 organization that agrees to be the fiscal agent for the grant. Collaborative applications with local, state or federal agencies are encouraged.

Proposals must be aimed at reducing cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors, and fall within the four cause areas of the American Heart Association: Go Red For Women, Childhood Obesity, Power to End Stroke, and Physical Inactivity. Awards may be used for new initiatives or for expansion of already successful projects. Special consideration will be given to projects improving healthy food access and CPR/AED implementation in the Greater Boston Area. Detailed eligibility criteria and details can be found at bostoncig.heart.org.

IMG_7971-70Previous award recipients include Beyond Soccer, a sports-based youth development program that engages youth from Lawrence and gradually exposes them to new experiences both on and off the field; The Open Door, whose mobile food mart and food pantry connects low-income families and children in Gloucester, Rockport and Danvers to healthy food in a socially acceptable way where they live and learn; and Boston EMS, who is committed to educating and training Boston residents to increase bystander witnessed CPR survival rates.

A total of $125,000 is awarded in increments of $1,000 to $25,000. Applications must be submitted online at bostoncig.heart.org by January 31, 2016 and organizations will be notified in June for the award term of July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017. For more information or questions regarding the submission process, please reach out to [email protected].

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