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Read about how grants are improving communities across the state:

Healthier, Smoke-Free Communities a...

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My skin color affects everything about my livelihood, even my quality of life and health status, just as it does for people who look like me. See what I mean here. Yeah, that “elephant.” People experi...

Lots of people start off a new year with a resolution to eat healthier. We’re no different, only LHCC is helping the whole state do that by putting our money where our mouths are by awarding more than...

Need A Little Seed Money?

One way to help communities become healthier is through a little “seed” money, as small investments can lead to big changes.

Mini Grant Image ^ 2020 LHCC Mini-Grantee Market Umbrella/ Crescent City Farmers Market adapted their market operations to include safe home delivery of local produce during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo taken by Katie Sikora Photography.

Think of smoke-free signs, better lighting for a park trail so people feel comfortable walking at night, or even a crosswalk that allows people to safely cross a major thoroughfare. That’s why LHCC is offering grants to communities.

Thank you for your interest in the community grants. The application process for 2021-2022 is now closed. Please check back for grant updates in January 2022.

One way to help communities fight those factors is through a little “seed” money, as small investments can lead to big changes. That is why we are excited to announce that this round of grants will be awarding grantees $1,000 to $3,000 for built environment related to addressing obesity and tobacco control.

LHCC seeks to fund innovative ideas doing the above through policy, system, and environmental (PSE) change approaches. What do we mean by PSE? Check out our explanation and examples of fundable projects below.

Policy, System, & Environmental Change

PSE change approaches involve changing laws or regulations, the processes of an organization or system, or physically changing the environment. To learn more about what PSE means, visit here: https://action4psechange.org/.

During this grant cycle, LHCC will award grants to projects that implement these changes in two specific focus areas.

1) Built Environment: Obesity-related projects that increase community access to healthier, built-environments. Examples of previously funded projects include:

The Southwest Louisiana Center for Health Services added benches to the First Avenue Walking Trail and converted an abandoned railroad track into a path that connects to key points in the community and encourages walking and biking.
The City of Lake Charles utilized LHCC funds to add bottle filling stations along Lake Charles’ Lakefront Promenade thus promoting the consumption of healthy beverages.

2) Smoke Free: Projects that aim to increase access to smoke-free environments such as focusing on smoke-free municipalities, increasing social capital for smoke-free environments, or reduced smoking in youth and/or adults. Tobacco grants are open to all communities, but priority will be given to these areas: Alexandria, Farmerville, Jefferson Parish, New Iberia, Natchitoches, and St. Tammany.

Examples of previously funded projects include:

Family Development Enterprises used funds to create a digital campaign that connected people to dental health providers that offered tobacco cessation services. Family Development Enterprises also spread tobacco and vape-free messaging with t-shirts and push cards.

Additional examples of fundable projects:

Developing a smoke free policy at workplace, church or community space. For resources around developing a smoke free policy find information at Well Ahead Louisiana and https://healthierairforall.org/.
Supporting community strategies or efforts to educate the public about the health effects of tobacco use and available cessation services.

*This list is not comprehensive of all fundable projects. LHCC grant funds CANNOT be used to purchase food.

Grant applications for 2021-2022 are now closed

Please check back for grant updates in January 2022.

Important Dates	Action Item
Monday, October 4,2021	Applications open
Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 11am	Information session and Q&A Register Here!
Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 11:59pm	Applications due
Friday, November 19, 2021	All award notifications distributed
Friday, December 17, 2021	Funds distributed
Tuesday, May 31, 2022	Project completion deadline

Basic FAQ

How many applications will be funded?
We anticipate funding about eight (8) applications total between the two focus areas. Distribution per focus area is subject on number of applicants received.

Can I apply for both the built environment (obesity-focused) and tobacco grant?

Yes, one entity can apply for both grants, but separate applications are required for each grant focus.

Why is LHCC funding both obesity and tobacco-related projects this year?

LHCC grants are funded through The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Our CDC funds are limited to obesity prevention through changes to build environments. The Tobacco funding focuses on increasing smoke-free environments. Tobacco grants are open to all communities, but priority will be given to these areas: Alexandria, Farmerville, Jefferson Parish, New Iberia, Natchitoches, and St. Tammany.

What are past examples of funded projects?

We have examples of past funded projects related to obesity prevention by increasing access to healthy foods read our blog to learn more. Be reminded that this year we are only funding projects that address obesity prevention by changing built environments and promote smoke-free environments.

Who can apply for an LHCC grant?

Eligible organizations include non-profits (with 501c3 status), government entities (e.g. village, town, city, or parish governments), universities, schools, and other community-based organizations (e.g. community health centers, FQHCs, or churches). LHCC does not fund individuals, but they are welcome to partner with an eligible organization.

What is a PSE change?

Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) changes are the "upstream" factors that can improve our health. You can visit Action4PSEchange.org to take the course "Action for Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change: A Training” and learn more.

Can this funding be used to continue or expand existing projects (even from prior years)?

Yes. However, a new application must be submitted for each grant opportunity.

Our grant application was not funded previously. Can we apply for this cycle?

Yes, complete a new application for consideration this grant cycle.

Are there any restrictions associated with this grant?

Yes, read our restriction document for more information about what is allowed.

How will my application be scored?

Your grant application will be scored on the following aspects:

Completeness of application
Innovation
Partnership building (collaboration with regional LHCC and/or other local coalition)
Alignment with LHCC values and mission
Community need
Organizational capacity to execute project
Degree that proposal aligns with policy, system, or environmental change to address obesity and/ or tobacco.
Intervention’s impact for public good
Impact on health disparities
Sustainability of project beyond grant funding
Environmental friendliness

We will be hosting an information session on October 19, 2021, at 11:00am to answer additional questions. Register Here!