The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is pleased to announce the availability of grant funds from the Walmart Foundation to support children’s health through park and recreation out-of-school time programs. Grants in 2015 will focus on four main goals:
1. Increase the number of healthy meals children in low-income communities receive through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) during out-of-school times;
2. Provide evidence-based, age appropriate nutrition literacy to children that creates behavior change by teaching the importance of healthy eating;
3. Implement nutrition standards that increase access to healthier foods and support a healthy eating environment; and
4. Promote meal and program efficiencies that will reduce costs, maximize existing resources, decrease food waste, and lead to more sustainable meal programs.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
• Be a local government agency (e.g., municipal park and recreation department, tribal recreation department, park district, etc.)
• Serve meals/snacks through both the SFSP and the CACFP in 2015.
Applicants not meeting the above requirements are not eligible for this grant
Availability of Funding
One-year grants are available and are expected to range from $15,000 to $25,000. Additional in-kind nutrition literacy materials valued at up to $7,000 will also be provided to each grantee. Matching funds are not required.
Use of Funds
Grant funds will be designated for expenditures that help local park and recreation agencies achieve the stated goals of the program: increase healthy meals served to children; provide evidence-based nutrition literacy to children; implement nutrition and physical activity standards; and promote meal and program efficiencies that will lead to more sustainable meal programs.
Examples of eligible expenses include:
• Staffing to support program implementation
• Marketing and promotions within the local community
• Supplies (tables and chairs, for example)
• Food service equipment (heating or refrigeration units, for example)
• Program transportation costs
• Other basic needs to create or expand access to out-of-school nutrition programs.
Funding cannot be used to purchase food. Funding cannot be used to pay for NRPA membership. Additionally, NRPA will provide an evidence-based, nutrition literacy curriculum for all agencies to use and implement.
Application Due Date
Applications are due by midnight ET on Wednesday March 18, 2015. It is anticipated that NRPA will notify applicants by April 3, 2015.
Please ensure responses are recorded accurately. You can save your progress and continue at a later time by clicking the "Save and continue later" link at the top of the page. Note: Only completed pages are saved - please enter a draft answer for each question on the page if you plan to save and return to your work later. The application is available in PDF format to assist in preparation of responses, but the application MUST be submitted through this online form. For a PDF copy please click HERE.
Definitions
A site is defined as a public park, recreation/community center, or park-led program at another community site implementing an out-of-school-time enrichment program.
Out-of-school time is defined as before/afterschool and summer.
Questions
Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions document for additional information.
Please contact outofschoolrfa@nrpa.org with any questions that are not addressed in the FAQ document.