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Fraser Health introduces $25,000 macro health grant

A workshop will be hosted Aug. 29.
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Attendees participate in a seminar on nutrition at last year’s health fair. (X. Y. Zeng photo)

Fraser Health will roll out a new macro health grant worth $25,000 which the recipient will use as seed money to leverage further grants.

Announced Aug. 2, the grant is open to organizations in Hope and the Fraser Canyon and has three aims — those include generating community impact, which can range from more physical activity, connectiveness, food security or transportation. It must also foster partnership and use this grant to leverage bigger opportunities that can continue over time, and it must encourage expansion of activities and seek possible future funding opportunity.

The Standard spoke to Fraser Health regional executive director Petra Pardy, who emphasized leveraging the grant. Pardy advised that the impact needs to be significant and should not be used towards smaller projects such as a school grounds or a community garden. Asked how far she expects $25,000 to go, she pointed to AdvantageHOPE’s success.

“We’ve seen it happen when AdvantageHOPE was able to support a much bigger grant through [a] grant proposal,” said Pardy.

Pardy was referring to a one-time fund of $25,000 which AdvantageHOPE received last year, which they used to createan Active Transportation Development Master Plan with a focus on developing accessible pedestrian connections and cycle network plans from the Silver Creek, Kawkawa Lake, and Ross Road neighbourhoods into downtown Hope. The plan became part of the application to receive the $500,000 Rural Dividend grant.

Pardy added that Fraser Health has deliberately made the outcomes of the grant non-specific because they are seeking innovative ideas and opportunities that support overall health and wellbeing.

Pardy also said applicants interested in the micro health grants can also apply to that grant, as there are still funds available.

They will host a grant preparation workshop on Aug. 29 from 9 a.m. at the Fraser Canyon Hospital. Interested parties can RSVP to fhhopegrants@gmail.com.