Call it a boost for kids, a little extra money to get Monroe County children more active. “Our mini-grants go from $500 to $10-thousand dollars,” says Bonnie DeVinney, vice president and chief program officer for the Greater Rochester Health Foundation. The Foundation released a request for proposal or “RFP” on Wednesday for a series of what it calls “mini-grants” to help get children ages 2 to 10 years old healthy in simple ways. “Increase opportunities for kids to be playing in the community, to be active and they're playing, to have nutritious foods,” says DeVinney. These grants are not intended to add gigantic programs to any one community, instead, they are simple projects such as adding a new piece of equipment to a playground to give kids a little more variety or adding lights to a sports field so that kids can play at night. “It could be something like a playground monitor so that they feel safe on the playground,” says DeVinney. The application process is not as labor-intensive as more traditional grants. Applicants are encouraged to apply online, however, if they do not have email or computer access, they can submit a hard copy. Hard copy applications can be accessed by calling the Foundation Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at (585) 258-1799. Recipients will be announced in July. Only agencies, groups and organizations can apply, not individuals. “Whether it's a neighborhood association, a church group, a league where they've got kids who can't afford to participate, helping to support that so that every kid can be physically active,” says DeVinney. For access to the online grant application visit: www.thegrhf.org or email questions to: communityminigrants@thegrhf.org
