The Colorado Health Foundation is pleased to announce the Funding Opportunity: Infusing Equity into Built Environment for Better Health to support capital investments in the built environment – such as playgrounds, parks and outdoor spaces – across Colorado that allow children, youth and families to engage in physical activity more regularly.
This funding opportunity prioritizes communities living on low income, communities of color and rural communities in Colorado.
Focus Area: Maintain Healthy Bodies
Types of Grants
Interested applicants can apply for funding through one of two pathways:
Planning grants: Funds up to $25,000 can be used to support and engage in the ECCD process at varying levels of readiness. Planning grants may include meeting space, stipends for community members, administrative cost, materials, etc. Technical assistance (TA) is also included to support you through the ECCD process as needed. Costs for TA will be covered separately from the funding allocated for the planning grant.
Shovel-ready projects: Funds – ranging from $250,000 to $700,000 – can be used for projects that demonstrate advanced planning stages for which construction can begin in a short period of time. Shovel-ready applicants must demonstrate that the project is an equity-centered, community-created and comprehensive plan, including activation and long-term maintenance requirements. The Foundation can help identify TA providers if needed, and will consider supporting TA costs for shovel-ready projects on a case-by-case basis.
Eligible Projects
Funding to support shovel-ready projects that have already undergone an ECCD process may include the following:
Fixed infrastructure: Funds can be used to purchase non-movable tables and benches and tangible, immovable, age-appropriate, outdoor play space equipment for diverse age groups, as well as necessary associated surfacing.
Playground markings: Funds can be used to support costs associated with painting a play area and public space with colorful, engaging and stimulating game and activity patterns that encourage physical activity.
Signage: Funds for signage must not exceed $2,500 and can be used to purchase and install clear and identifiable signage and information in and around the public space to provide directions to the play spaces and to encourage the use of the equipment.
Activation: A total of $2,000 of the budget can be used for promoting environmentally friendly materials and events, including a one-time groundbreaking ceremony.
Weather Protection: Funds can be used to purchase structures for sun, rain and snow protection, including canopies and trees, to encourage intergenerational use year-round.
Amenities: Funding for amenities will be considered on a case by case basis. Funds can be used to build bathrooms and water fountains; construct sidewalks as needed so youth can bike or walk to the park or playground safely.
Preference
Preference will be given to communities with programs/projects that are:
Serving a higher than average enrollment of students of color at the nearest school and/or serving 50% or more free and reduced lunch.
Serving economically disadvantaged households.
Serving rural communities through an intergenerational approach that demonstrates:
The need for public spaces and/or amenities that sufficiently serve the most disadvantaged community members.
The need to replace existing unsafe or outdated equipment in a public space within five miles of a proven community-hub, public location or space.
Criteria
To be considered for funding, communities must meet the following criteria:
Alignment with the Foundation’s cornerstones that advance their efforts to bring health in reach for all Coloradans.
Design and construction of public spaces in high-need areas that serve individuals of all ages, inclusive of those with physical and/or developmental disabilities, create access for intergenerational activities and shared spaces and stimulate creativity to encourage physical activity.
Commitment to building intergenerational spaces that encourage physical activity, socialization and strengthen community building. Projects may include age-specific segments, with considerations for those living with physical and/or developmental disabilities, to the design as appropriate, such as playgrounds. If on school grounds, the space must be open to the general public during non-school hours.
