Contact: Jennifer Jenkins (202) 351-9865
The United Way of the National Capital Area (UWNCA) is the recipient of a $400,000 grant from The General Mills Foundation in support of its Child Wellness Initiative. A Request for Proposal (RFP) has been released inviting the DC public schools and public charter schools to apply for grants up to $25,000 each to improve physical activity and nutrition education programming in the 2009-2010 school year. A total of $200,000 in grants will be awarded to selected applicants.
The program is a partnership among UWNCA, the General Mills Foundation and the Mayor’s Commission on Food and Nutrition under the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. “It is our hope that the release of the RFP will encourage schools across the city to actively engage their students in an improved wellness plan,” said Angela Woods, UWNCA interim chief executive officer. “By implementing valuable fitness and nutritional programs, these schools will foster the development of the mind, body and self appreciation of the youth.”
The grant program comes at a time when the District is facing alarming childhood obesity statistics. Robert Egger from the Mayor’s Commission on Food and Nutrition believes that the “partnership with UWNCA and the General Mills Foundation is bold, which we need in Washington as we face down a real epidemic of childhood obesity. This will move us from talking about the problem to tackling it aggressively.”
To participate, DC public schools must submit an application for up to $25,000 of funding no later than 5 pm March 27, 2009, to the Selection Committee, care of the Mayor’s Commission on Food and Nutrition. Applicants will be objectively reviewed against specific scoring criteria, including but not limited to reach, need, program quality and program stability.
For more information on the grant or the application process, please contact the Mayor’s Commission on Food and Nutrition at (202) 741-5252. View [PDF] the grant application.
This partnership is one of many created by UWNCA. UWNC is a community impact leader that raises funds to achieve bold goals related to health, education and income. The annual campaign disperses tens of millions in funds to more than 900 nonprofit partners certified by UWNCA that provide health and human service programs to Washington area residents.
About United Way National Capital Area
The UWNCA is the largest non-governmental health and human services fund provider in the Washington metro area and has been bringing together people and resources to improve lives for more than 30 years. Working with community organizations, local governments and businesses, UWNCA’s eight regional councils, located in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and Southwest Maryland, respond to critical community needs. For more information about UWNCA, visit unitedwaynca.org.