December 18, 2018
Des Moines, IA — The Wellmark Foundation is offering two competitive Matching Assets to Community Health (MATCH) grant opportunities in 2019. The MATCH grants are designed to support larger projects that build on the assets unique to a community and address local health needs in Iowa and South Dakota. The term "matching grant" means an organization is required to raise some money to match the grant amount.
"The Wellmark Foundation's goal is to be a catalyst in bringing groups together to positively impact health within a community," said Becky Wampler, The Wellmark Foundation executive director. "Our funding focuses on sustainable initiatives — projects that continue after our grant funding ends — targeting access to and consumption of nutritious foods and creating safe and healthy environments in which to be active."
Large MATCH grants
Request for proposals are being accepted for the Large MATCH grant. This challenge grant is for a maximum of $100,000, and the project must be completed within two years. The grant must be matched dollar-for-dollar with cash or in-kind contributions. At least one-half of the matching support must be cash.
Examples of sustainable projects include:
- Improving access to locally sourced foods — establishing or improving infrastructure of farmers’ markets and establishing or improving community gardens
- Supporting connections between local food systems and health — advancing efforts of food policy councils
- Improving nutrition in school settings — farm-to-school programs, healthy vending and lunchroom redesign to encourage consumption of healthy foods
- Advancing active transportation concepts — Safe Routes to School projects, walking school buses and adding bicycle parking
- Providing safe, accessible venues for physical activity in a community
The Large MATCH grant applications are due by 5 p.m. CST, Feb. 22, 2019.
Small MATCH grants
The Small MATCH grant application will be available in April. This challenge grant is available for a maximum of $25,000, and the project must be completed in one year. The grant must be matched at 50 percent with cash or in-kind contributions. At least one-half of the matching support must be cash.
To view the MATCH Grant Request for Proposals and to view previous Wellmark Foundation MATCH grant recipients, visit Wellmark.com/Foundation.
