Physical Activity and Nutrition
The Northwest Health Foundation is working to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Oregon and southwest Washington.
2009 Request for Proposals: Creating environments and advancing policies that support healthy behaviors
Key Dates:
- February 12 (9:30 a.m.): Informational session from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at NWHF offices ( requested)
- March 16 (5:00 p.m.): Proposals due
- June 25: Applicants notified of decisions
Over the past quarter century, the combination of sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition has emerged as the nation’s second-leading preventable cause of death, after smoking. Overweight and obesity significantly increases the risk of developing many of the leading causes of death in the United States, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some forms of cancer.
In Oregon:
- The prevalence of obesity among adults has increased 73% from 1995 to 2007.
- 62% of Oregon adults are now either obese or overweight (BRFSS, 2007).
- One in four Oregon eighth graders are now overweight or at risk of becoming overweight.
- Obesity and related health conditions disproportionately affect Latinos, African-Americans and Native Americans.
- The social and economic consequences of the obesity epidemic threaten to overwhelm our health system unless we develop and implement comprehensive prevention strategies today.
Since complex systemic and environmental factors influence the choices people make about eating and exercise, education alone is insufficient to reduce obesity prevalence. Rather, research has shown that people living in neighborhoods where healthy food is available, walking and biking is safe and convenient, and parks and other community resources are easily accessed are much more likely to maintain healthy weight. Yet too many people – particularly those with few economic resources – live, work, play and learn in environments that do not offer these opportunities. The complexity of the obesity epidemic also means that one organization working in isolation is unlikely to achieve much of an impact compared with broad, cross-sectoral partnerships designed to affect sustained community change.
The Northwest Health Foundation seeks to partner with communities to advance their efforts to improve opportunities for healthy nutrition and regular physical activity. Since the obesity epidemic has disproportionately affected low-income families and communities of color, we are particularly interested in supporting initiatives that engage and empower these communities to improve opportunities for healthy eating and active living.
2009 Grant Cycle
The Northwest Health Foundation invites proposals from non-profit organizations, local government agencies and/or tribal organizations engaged in creating community environments and policies that support healthy lifestyles, specifically with regards to healthy food choices and opportunities for regular physical activity. We are looking to fund initiatives that:
- Identify the social, policy or environmental factors to be addressed, and how they will support healthy physical activity and nutrition behaviors;
- Articulate goals, strategies and priorities that have been developed in full partnership with the community to be served;
- Build and mobilize constituencies to advocate for improved physical activity and nutrition policies, practices and environments;
- Reduce health disparities related to unequal access to healthy food and opportunities for daily physical activity;
- Involve collaboration among different organizations or agencies, especially across different sectors, to achieve common goals;
- Implement recommendations proposed in peer-reviewed national and state reports on physical activity and nutrition (see Frequently Asked Questions for links to relevant resources).
For this RFP, the Foundation is not interested in funding curriculum development, research studies, clinical interventions, exercise or cooking classes, educational programs, capital construction costs or general operating support.
All interested parties are strongly encouraged to contact Chris Kabel by email or phone (971) 230-1291 before submitting a proposal to determine if your project is a good match for this grant program.
Grant Amounts and Duration
The Foundation’s intent is to award a portfolio of five to eight grants of various sizes in the $25,000 to $100,000 range (total award amount – not per year). Projects will be funded for up to three years.
Proposal Instructions
Eight sets of the complete application and two sets of the financial statement must be received at the Foundation office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2009. Postmarked, faxed or e-mailed proposals will not be accepted. Please send or deliver your application sets to:
Northwest Health Foundation
221 NW Second Avenue, Suite 300
Portland, Oregon 97209
All interested parties are strongly encouraged to also read our
Frequently Asked Questions page
We will be hosting an informational session on our Physical Activity and Nutrition grant program on Thursday, February 12, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at our offices at 221 NW Second Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, Oregon. If you are interested in attending this session in person or by phone, please contact Chris Kabel by email or phone (971) 230-1291.
A complete application is comprised of the following proposal sections presented in the following order:
A. Cover sheet (MS Word document)
B. Project Narrative (10 pages maximum)
- A brief executive summary describing the purpose of the project
- Description of the community engaged in the project, including size (i.e., neighborhood, city, county, region), demographic characteristics, population health status (where available), environmental factors or policies to be addressed, and community resources and constituencies that will be mobilized
- Strategies that will be employed to improve opportunities for regular physical activity and healthy nutrition
- Anticipated impact on the population / community, and how that impact would be evaluated
- Background and qualifications of the organizations applying for funds
- Other organizations that will be collaborating with you to achieve your goals, including the roles and responsibilities of each
- The proposed timeline for reaching your objectives
- Strategy to fully fund the initiative, including other sources of financial support have been or will be solicited (organizations that pursue a diverse funding base are typically more competitive than those that rely solely on one source)
- How the benefits of the project will be sustained beyond the grant period
C. Appendices (15 pages maximum)
- Itemized project budget, including anticipated expenses and revenue sources
- Letters of commitment of support from other organizations that will be partnering in the effort
- List of Board of Directors
D. Other Required Attachments (two sets)
- Audited financial statements or other statement of financial activities
Please limit the project narrative to 10 total pages, using 12-point type and one-inch margins.
Please limit appendices to a maximum of 15 pages. This page limit includes the required appendices listed above, but excludes the audited financial statements. Please do not attach general organizational publications such as annual reports or brochures.
Use a binder clip to secure each copy of the completed application. Please do not use staples, notebooks, presentation folders or other binders.
The required cover sheet is found here.
When preparing your budget, please note that it is the policy of the Northwest Health Foundation to pay a maximum rate of 15% of the indirect costs associated with a funded project. Indirect costs must be included in the overall request for funding.