Your project must be a collaborative project – wheretwo or more organizations are committed to working in partnership to achievecommon goals in the community.  You can work with another incorporatednot-for-profit organization, First Nations, Aboriginal organizations that areincorporated, Ontario Municipalities, Local Service Boards, Ontario Collegesand Universities, Conservation Authorities, or Public Heath Units andCommunity Health Centres. 

Your application must be received by July 31, 2009 at 12:00PM - applications received after this date will be considered,pending availability of funds.  To ensure you have the best chance atreceiving one of the Healthy Communities Fund Grants available, make sure yousubmit your application by the deadline!

Your project must address at least two of the Ministryof Health Promotion’s Key priorities - for 2009-2010, thepriorities/objectives for the HCF have been identified as core andcomplementary.  Projects must address at least one corepriority/objective (but are encouraged to address more than one), and may alsoaddress one or more complementary priority/objective:

• Core Priorities / Objectives
  • Physical Activity, Sport & Recreation
    • Access to physical activity, sport & recreation
    • Support active transportation & improve the buildenvironment
  • Healthy Eating
    • Access to healthier food
    • Educate and develop food skills
  • Tobacco Use / Exposure
    • Access to tobacco free environments and smoking cessationservices
    • Educate the public about the risks of tobacco use
• Complementary Priorities / Objectives
  • Injury Prevention
    • Promote save environment that prevent injury
  • Mental Health
    • Increase access to mental health prevention and promotionprograms and supports
  • Substance and Alcohol Misuse
    • Increase resiliency in youth and adults with respect toalcohol and other drug uses

Your Association must share in the cost of theprogram – The Ministry of Health Promotions will fund a maximum of60% of total eligible project costs.  Applicants are required to commitat least 40% of the total eligible project costs.  This requiredcontribution can be made up of no more than 30% “in kind” contributions and aminimum 10% cash contribution.  If your Softball Association is anincorporated not-for-profit located in a community with a population of lessthan 20,000, you are eligible for up to 80% of total eligible project costs,and you must commit at least 20% of the project costs.

Your project can be one (1) to two (2) years in length. Eligible projects fall under one of three (3) types (or a combinationthereof):

• Planning Projects
  • Small-scale planning projects will facilitate the developmentof a specific initiative that can be implemented to improve the health of acommunity by assembling and organizing resources, participant efforts, orother interventions
  • Examples:
    • Development of a plan to implement tobacco-free sport andrecreation opportunities for youth in an under-served neighbourhood
• Development Projects
  • Aimed at creating resources for local, regional, orsector-wide application.  Typical development resources include thecreation of resources such as program models, training modules, and otherinformation sources.  Outcomes and/or results usually become apparentwithin one to two years of the project completion
  • Examples:
    • Creation of a resource manual and interactive coping toolsfor youth who are at risk for stress, mental wellness/self-esteem issues, andtobacco and substance misuse in an effort to build resiliency
• Implementation Projects
  • Aim to provide direct and immediate benefits to Ontariansduring the project period
  • Examples:
    • Hold a series of seminars/workshops for coaches,volunteers, officials, and parents of children participating in sport thatwill introduce resources and ‘hands-on’ techniques for preventing injuries,instilling proper nutrition behaviours, promoting healthy body image, andprevention of substance use among youth sport participants