Apply for NewYork-Presbyterian's 2023 mini-grant program by April 14

NYP is excited to announce that we are accepting applications for the 2023 mini-grant program in Brooklyn and Queens. We invite community-based organizations and initiatives that support healthy lifestyles for children and families in Brooklyn and Queens to apply. Through the CHALK program, mini-grants are awarded to fund either new or ongoing wellness projects. Proposals should have the potential to be sustainable after receiving grant funding and should identify a plan for continuation beyond the grant funding period. The goal of the mini-grant award is to partner with and engage small community-based organizations around a wellness project with a focus on organizational sustainability and growth. The application deadline is Friday, April 14th. Apply using this link.

What is CHALK? CHALK is New York Presbyterian’s (NYP) community-based obesity prevention program in collaboration with Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC). The goal of CHALK is to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity by creating an environment in which healthy lifestyles are integral to the lives of all children and their families. NYP CHALK’s programming is based on the 10 healthy habits, small changes that can be adopted and add up to a healthy lifestyle. NYP CHALK’s priority is to connect and mobilize community members, local business, and community organizations to spread the message, create programs that foster healthy lifestyles, and improve the built environment.

Eligibility criteria:
Organizations must adhere to the following criteria to be eligible:

• Must be a non-profit and provide proof of 501(c)(3) status.
  • Organizations who have not obtained 501(c)(3), but operate under a fiscal sponsor, may apply. Proof of fiscal sponsor is required.
  • Cannot be affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital or Columbia University Irving Medical Center
• Project must serve Brooklyn, Queens or both
• Organization’s yearly budget does not exceed $500,000

Selection process:

The NYP mini-grant scoring committee* will only consider proposals that satisfy all of the eligibility criteria. Applications will be scored based on the following:

• Project alignment with wellness promotion,
• Project feasibility (the project plan and goals are realistic and possible to achieve),
• Project’s potential to address community needs,
• Clearly communicated planned action steps that will help achieve proposed project’s goal(s).

*The scoring committee will choose the finalists. Finalists will then be contacted by a member of the NYP CHALK and Community Affairs team with any follow up questions prior to final decision.

Requirements:

Organizations are eligible to receive a maximum of three consecutive years of funding contingent upon meeting the program requirements. During these three consecutive years of funding, organizations will be evaluated on the innovation, progression, sustainability, and community impact of the project. To be considered for continued funding each year, recipients must fulfill all grant program requirements and complete a renewal application. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

If awarded funding, organizations must:

• Commit to ongoing communication, including three in-person or phone check-ins
  • 1st check in: Within two weeks of grants announcement to speak about project
  • 2nd check in: Site visit during project implementation
  • 3rd check in: Final meeting to go over project implementation
• Partner with NYP to increase capacity at the organization, such as programming assistance, data collection and analysis planning, etc.
• Participate in a minimum of three NYP CHALK-sponsored Capacity Building Initiative events such as:
  • Yearly conference
  • Webinars
  • Workshops
  • Plan A Coaching Office Hours
• Reporting requirements: All reporting requirements are mandatory and failure to comply will result in non-consideration for further funding.
  • Reporting requirements include:
    • End of year report (template will be provided)
    • Post survey at the end of each fiscal year (April-May 2024)
    • Final Budget Report
    • Post funding survey (given 6-12 months post-graduation)

What NYP can offer:

As a mini-grant recipient, you will have access to NYP CHALK and Community Affairs coordinators who will serve as a resource for your organization by:

• Connecting you to other CBOs• Connecting you to resources and services to help better serve your participants/constituents• Assisting in seeking additional sources of funding
• Assisting with developing a data collection and analysis plan
• Assisting in all areas of capacity building, including strategic planning and curriculum building, finance and budgeting, and program planning

NYP mini-grantees will also receive access to all NYP CHALK Capacity Building Initiative resources. This includes:

• Capacity building events: Yearly conference, workshops, webinars, networking opportunities, etc.
• Google drive which includes a networking page, and recordings/resources from all events

How to submit application:

1. Please complete the application and send to minigrant@nyp.org.

2. Email your 501(c)(3) documentation to minigrant@nyp.org.

Mini-grants:

Selected organizations will be awarded $5,000. Funds will be awarded based on merits of submitted proposals.

If you have questions or would like more information please contact minigrant@nyp.org or call (646) 984-5676.