2017 Application Guide

COMMUNITIES CHOOSEWELL REDUCING BARRIERS TO COMMUNITY WELLNESS

SEED GRANT

2017 Application Guide

Introduction

The goal of the Reducing Barriers to Community Wellness Seed Grants is to enable communities to take action to reduce the barriers that inhibit healthy eating and active living in their communities. It is also an opportunity for communities to address social wellbeing while promoting healthy behaviours. Our overall intention is to support community champions in developing an environment where healthy choices are easy, accessible, and sustainable.

The total amount of funding through this year’s Reducing Barriers to Community Wellness Seed Grant competition is $36,000. Grants of $2000 are available to a maximum of one grant per community.

The grants are intended to support collaborative local action to create communities that foster wellness. We value and promote the development of partnerships between different sectors, such as recreation, health, local governments, education, and not-for-profit.

This document provides applicants with the 2017 seed grant eligibility criteria, key dates and details on the application process, the reviewers’ expectations for each section of the application, online resources to assist in the completion of the application form, and answers to frequently asked questions. For any additional information, questions, or concerns, please contact the ChooseWell staff or visit

Eligibility

Only communities registered for the 2017 Communities ChooseWell program are eligible to apply for a Reducing Barriers to Community Wellness Seed Grant. To find out if your community is registered, visit or contact the ChooseWell staff. If your community is not currently registered, you can register through the website at no cost.

Eligible expenses include:

●Activities that have not yet taken place

●Enhancements to existing programs or activities

●New programs, projects, or activities

●Staff, speakers, facilitators, or professional presenters

●Project materials such as equipment, books, food, etc.

(Note: Food requests must follow the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth (see

●Insurance for project activities

●Hosting or participation in events that support the development of partnerships and actions

Ineligible expenses:

●Activities that have already taken place

●Existing programs or activities with no enhancements

●Administrative costs indirectly related to or removed from the project (e.g. lawyer fees)

●Most capital expenses. If you are unsure whether your request would be classified as a capital expense, please contact ChooseWell staff at choosewell@arpaonline.

Application Process and Key Dates

●All applications must be received by midnight (MDT) on October 31, 2017.

●Applicants will receive notification of the grant selection results by November 30, 2017.

●Cheques will be issued and mailed in time for receipt by December 31, 2017.

●All project activities must be completed by December 31, 2018.

●All projects that receive a grant are required to submit a final report, using the ChooseWell template, within 30 days of completing activities, and no later than January 31, 2019.

2017 Application Guide

The Reducing Barriers to Community Wellness Seed Grant application form is divided into six sections:

1.0 Applicant Information

2.0 In Your Community…

3.0 Project Proposal

4.0 Evaluation and Sustainability

5.0 Budget

6.0 Submit Your Application

The application form is designed like an inverse pyramid. It begins with broad, high-level thinking about your community’s barriers and assets. It then narrows down to focus on your proposed project and specific evaluation and sustainability activities, and finishes with details about the budget breakdown. Note that the Application Guide uses the term “project” to represent all activities, programs, events, and speakers.

The 2017 Application Guide aims to provide instructions, examples, and resources to help you successfully complete each section of your application. We encourage all applicants to review the Application Guide prior to beginning their application form, and consulting the guide for help along the way.

Section 1.0: Applicant Information

Section 1.0 requires you to identify your community, your organization, and a primary and secondary contact. Remember that the community you include on the application must be registered for the 2017 Communities ChooseWell program in order to receive funding. To verify that your community is registered, visit Please ensure that all of the contact information provided is up-to-date and accurate so that we are able to call or email you with application questions and results.

Section 2.0: In Your Community…

Section 2.0 is important for three reasons:

1) It gives the application reviewers an understanding of your community’s environment and puts your proposed project into context,

2) It prompts you to work through the logic of your proposed project and think about how your activities will address the barriers that are present in your community, and

3) It asks you to consider pre-existing strengths, assets and strategies in your community so that you are identifying opportunities early in the project process.

2.1 Barrier Identification

This part of the application asks you to identify the barrier(s) to healthy eating and/or active living that are present in your community. Barriers will differ from one application to the next, reflecting the unique conditions that are present in each community.

By the time you have completed section 2.1, you should have addressed the following questions:

✓What is a barrier to healthy eating and active living in your community? (What?)

✓How do you know that this is a barrier? (What is your evidence?)

✓Who is being impacted? Is it the whole community? Children? Seniors?

oIs this a priority population? See FAQ for definition.

✓Why is it important to address the barrier? (So What?)

2.1 Exemplary Example The Town of ChooseWell lacks a full grocery store. Residents are unable to buy fresh produce conveniently and several people drive out of town to purchase fruit and vegetables✓. This has been a long-standing problem in the Town of ChooseWell that has often been raised and documented at Town Council meetings✓. The entire community is negatively impacted by the absence of a full grocery store; however, it is particularly burdensome for those who do not have the ability to drive out of town to purchase fresh foods; this includes people who are living on lower incomes who cannot afford to travel for groceries and those without cars or drivers licenses (including several senior citizens)✓. It is important to address this barrier, because it is difficult for residents in the Town of ChooseWell to follow a healthy diet, as defined by Canada’s Food Guide, on a regular basis✓. Many people in our community seem to have unhealthy eating behaviours and poor nutrition, especially those who are most disadvantaged.

2.2 Strengths, Assets, and Strategies

Recognizing and utilizing the existing assets and strengths in your community can be highly valuable. It offers a foundation for new projects to be built upon, empowers community members, and creates changes that are sustainable over time.

Community assets or strengths can come in many different forms. They can be physical resources like recreation centres and green spaces; they can be the strengths and expertise of certain people or organizations, the strength of particular networks, existing partnerships with certain institutions, strong volunteerism, etc. They can also be financial and material resources, like access to funds, businesses willing to donate materials, meeting space, etc. We ask that you report on the assets and strengths within your community, as well as any existing activities that aim to address the barrier(s) that you identified above.

2.2 Resource Rescue:Asset-Based Approach to Community Health

If you are struggling to complete this part of the grant application form or if you are interested in learning more about an asset-based approach to community improvement, Chapter 3, Section of 8 of the Community Tool Box is a great place to start. Through this resource you should be able to gain some more insight into what exactly is an “asset” and learn how to identify your community’s assets using different techniques.

Section 3.0: Project Proposal

3.1 Project Name

Identify the name of your project.

3.2 Project Description

This section aims to give the application reviewers a comprehensive understanding of your proposed project. The description should make a clear and logical connection between the identified barrier(s) and the proposed project.

You should aim to include the following information in your Project Description:

✓What is the purpose of your project?

✓Describe your project and what you will do if you receive funding.

✓Explain if it is part of a larger project, and if so, describe the larger project.

✓Who is the intended target population?

▪Note: It is important to outline who you intend to reach with your project, as it will help to define your activities, budget, and partnerships. The answer to this question should support your earlier assessment which described who is being impacted by the identified barrier(s).

3.2 Resource Rescue: Target population

If you are having trouble identifying a target population, this resource will help you to identify the population who is truly being impacted and what that means. Community Toolbox offers several great resources for community program and action planning. In Chapter 18, Section 3, "Targets of Change" (aka. the target population) is discussed. You can reach this page by clicking on the URL below:

3.3 Rationale

Section 3.3 asks you to explain the rationale behind the proposed project and activities. When completing this section, you should aim to address the following question:

✓Why are you confident that your project will tackle the identified barrier(s) and produce the desired outcomes?

✓What is the evidence to support your expectations?

▪Note: This does not necessarily need to be formal research evidence, it can also include informal evidence that you and your committee have collected through lived experience, council meetings, conversations with community members, etc.

✓What is the rationale for selecting the identified target population?

▪Note: This will be particularly important if the target population is different than the total affected population. For example, if the health-related problem impacts the entire community, but your program only targets children under 5, please explain the rationale behind selecting this target population.

3.4 Project Goal and Outcomes

Goals and outcomes are similar in that they both describe the desired results of your project. However, goals are broader and more general statements that reflect your project’s purpose, where outcomes are specific and measurable results that you expect to produce based on your activities. Outcomes will help to give direction to your project, to evaluate your project’s success, and let you know when your goal is achieved. There are often multiple outcomes for a single goal.

Your project’s outcomes should be ‘SMART’, meaning that they are Specific, Measurable, Attainable/achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By creating SMART outcomes, it will be easier to evaluate the project’s impact. Your project goals and outcomes should be aligned with the identified barrier(s), the purpose, and activities of the proposed project.

3.4 Exemplary Example of a goal

For all residents at the ChooseWell Seniors Home to meet the dietary recommendations in Canada’s Food Guide.

3.4 Exemplary Example of a S.M.A.R.T. Outcome

By August 31, 2018, the number of residents who are consuming the recommended servings of fruit and vegetables on a daily basis has increased by 50%.

3.4 Resource Rescue: Writing Outcomes

If you need some tips for writing outcome objectives, the California Department of Health Services has put together a short document which will offer some guidance:

3.4 Resource Rescue: S.M.A.R.T.

More details on S.M.A.R.T outcomes can be found here:

3.5 Social Wellbeing

Social wellbeing means that all community members, regardless of age, gender, income, race or religion, experience a sense of social connectedness and inclusion within their community. Indicators of social wellbeing include strong relationships, as well as feelings of trust and belonging.1 When social wellbeing exists residents feel empowered to participate within their communities and to connect with other residents.2

1

2

3.6 Work Plan

The work plan is a way to demonstrate how you will operationalize your proposed project. What are the activities that you will do and what is the deadline for each activity to be implemented? This section should expand on Section 3.2 and 3.4. Please note that all activities must be completed by December 31, 2018. This section will be assessed by our reviewers for its relevance in relation to the identified barrier(s), proposed project, goal(s) and outcomes.

3.6 Exemplary Example of two activities and budgeted time

Activity / When?
Create an online fun-run registration page where community members can register for the run and download a training program / February 31, 2018
Advertise the fun-run and registration page through social media, including twitter, Facebook, and community e-newsletter / March 1-May 1, 2018

3.7 Partnerships

Partnership identification and engagement are extremely relevant to creating a successful and sustainable project. Partners can offer a diversity of resources, expertise, and perspectives, as well as increase the reach and capacity of the project. By creating a network of partners, project sustainability is also more likely.

Please identify each of the partners involved, their role in the project, and if they are a new partner.

Section 4.0: Evaluation and Sustainability

4.1 Evaluation

Project evaluation can help you to understand the impact that your project has made, what components were successful or unsuccessful, and what you could do differently in the future. This section asks that you describe the main evaluation activities that you intend to perform in order to assess the effectiveness of your project. This is a great place to use your outcomes from Section 3.4 and explain how you will measure these outcomes.

4.1 Resource Rescue: An introduction to program evaluation

Community Toolbox offers a great introduction to program evaluation at the community level. This resource explains why evaluation is important, steps to follow, and examples.

4.1 Resource Rescue: Program evaluation webinar

Professional evaluator Laurie McCaffrey hosted a webinar titled “Evaluation: What? So What? Now What?” explaining the objective of program evaluation, what this looks like in a real-life settings, and some tips and resources to develop your own program evaluation. Laurie’s webinar can be found here: Laurie also offers a resource list for planning program evaluations which can be downloaded from her webinar.

4.2 Sustainability

Sustainability refers to how a project, or the impact of a project, will be maintained in the future.

✓How will the momentum created from your project be sustained after the project is complete?

✓Will your activities contribute to long-term change in the target population and, if so, how?

For a program or a long-term project, sustainability will rely on continued funding, a network of stakeholders and partners, citizen engagement, etc.

✓What will you do to ensure that this program, and/or the impacts of this program, will be maintained in the future?

Section 5.0: Budget

All activities that were listed in Section 3.6 should be included in the budget if they require funding or resources to be completed. Section 5.0 should reflect all of the ‘inputs’ that you need for your project and evaluation activities to be implemented. This section will be assessed for financial feasibility, considering whether the proposed budget is realistic and if alternate funding has been pursued or secured for all items/activities not covered by the Reducing Barriers to Community Wellness Grant.

5.1 Reducing Barriers to Community Wellness Grant Distribution

The purpose of section 5.1 is to provide a list of all of the project’s anticipated expenses, the total cost of the proposed project, and what portion of the expenses will be covered by the Reducing Barriers seed grant. Please note that food items should follow the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth (see

5.2 Alternate Funding

All items/activities in Section 5.1 that were not covered by the Reducing Barriers to Community Wellness Grant should be listed in the first column. The alternate funding source (e.g. service clubs, government agencies, private donations, other grants) that will cover the remaining cost for each item/activity should be listed in the second column, and the value that each alternate funding source will contribute should be placed in the third column.

5.3 In-Kind Contributions

Please include all in-kind contributions (free or donated) that will allow you to complete your project. This may include volunteer time, donated space, equipment, supplies, vehicle use, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can applicants who received funding in previous years apply for the 2017 grant?

Yes, however, a final project report must have been submitted for the previous project in order to be eligible for a new grant.

1. Can a community submit more than one grant application?

Yes, more than one application may be submitted from within the same community; however, each community is eligible to receive a maximum of one grant. Collaboration between parties interested in applying is strongly encouraged.

1. What are examples of initiatives that have received seed grant funding in the past?

Please see some examples of past seed grant funded projects posted on the Communities ChooseWell website under the ‘Funding’ tab:

1. What is a “priority population?”

Not all populations in a community experience equal health status. A range of factors and community conditions such as social, economic and physical environments can influence the health and well-being of different sub-populations. Each community is unique and may have identified particular populations for which targeted action is a priority to improve their health status. For example, “priority populations” may include seniors, Aboriginal populations, immigrants and newcomers, youth and children, girls and women, low-income individuals or those with mental health challenges or physical disabilities.