Northern Health is looking for community partners with ideas for projects that will improve the health of those living, working, learning and playing in northern BC. The next opportunity to apply for IMAGINE Community Grants begins November 1, 2017.
IMAGINE grants provide funding to community organizations, service agencies, Indigenous organizations, schools, municipalities, regional districts, and other partners with projects that support northerners in their efforts to stay healthy.
Applications are being accepted from November 1st to November 30th, 2017. Projects should aim to prevent chronic disease and injury or promote health in one or more of the following areas:
- Healthy eating and food security
- Physical activity and active living
- Injury prevention
- Tobacco-free communities
- Positive mental health
- Prevention of substance harms
- Healthy early childhood development
- Healthy aging
Applicants can apply for funding of up to $5,000 for their project. Preference will be given to projects that encourage different community groups to work together, address something that is missing in the community, help those who are disadvantaged or vulnerable, develop skills and resources in the community, and have a plan to live on in the community after the funding ends.
Since 2009, the IMAGINE Community Grants have provided funding to 777 projects across northern BC. Past projects have included; community gardens and projects that support food gathering and traditional methods of food harvesting and preservation, community walking trail enhancements for accessibility, sporting equipment libraries for community lending, education sessions and workshops to support skill development in community. View an interactive Google Map of past Northern Health grant projects.
This is the second call for grant applications of 2017. Another cycle for IMAGINE Community Grants funding was released in the spring. From that funding cycle, more than $125,000 was awarded to 38 projects, reaching 49 northern communities.
Visit Northern Health for more information and to access the IMAGINE Community Grants application guide and form or call 250-565-2131.