2023 Healthy Public Policy Grants

The application window for this grant stream is open from March 1-May 15, 2023.

For information on other funding opportunities for communities in B.C., visit our Other Funding Opportunities page.

The PlanH Healthy Communities grants support Indigenous and local governments in B.C. as they work with health authorities and other partners to collectively create conditions that enable healthy people and healthy places.

For 2023, one of the PlanH Healthy Communities grant streams focuses on Healthy Public Policy. These grants support communities as they take multi-sectoral action to create, adopt, amend or evaluate public policy through a health equity lens in order to create long-term positive health and well-being outcomes for community members. Complete the online application located here.

Important Dates:

• May 15, 2023, 11:59 PST: Application Due Date
• June 2023: Notification of successful applicants
• September 2023–September 2024: Project takes place
• October 1, 2024: Deadline for delivery of final project report  

How to Apply:

• Read the full application guide.
• Download and complete the budget and workplan using our template.
• Download and review the application questions (PDF, Word) to prepare.
• Optional: Gather any supporting documents you wish to submit. (A letter of support from your regional health authority or the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is recommended but not required. Written letters of support are suggested as a demonstration of existing partnerships.)
• Complete the online application using the application webform. (If you experience difficulties using the webform, please contact us at grants@bchealthycommunities.ca.)

Application Guide

 A step-by-step guide for completing the PlanH Healthy Public Policy Grant application is available here.

Healthy Public Policy Grants

Grants of up to $15,000 each plus in-kind supports are available for local and Indigenous governments working with health authorities and other partners to better understand priority areas and local needs and to enhance a sense of belonging within local community. Through a partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCH), we are pleased to be able to offer additional grants in the Healthy Public Policy Stream for projects in the VCH region.

Opportunity	Maximum grant amount available: up to $15,000 Access to resources and supports from BC Healthy Communities staff (see application guide for more details)
Eligibility	The following government organizations are eligible to apply: First Nations Bands First Nations Tribal Councils Métis Chartered Communities Municipalities Regional Districts Self-Governing First Nations The following organizations are not eligible to apply as a primary applicant: Community Groups For-profit Groups Health Authorities Hospital Foundations Individuals Non-profit Organizations School Districts This opportunity could be for you if you: Represent an Indigenous or local government Have community partners who share your interest in developing a broad policy framework You have a relationship with either your regional health authority (Northern Health, Interior Health, Island Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, or Fraser Health) or FNHA. If you don’t have an existing relationship with FNHA or the health authority in your region, let us know, and we can help connect you. This funding encourages multi-sectoral partnerships. We suggest that ineligible organizations contact eligible organizations to discuss collaborating on a project. Eligible local and Indigenous governments who are working in partnership with their health authority and other sectors and who are interested in applying should read the application guidelines thoroughly.
Criteria	Projects will be assessed on the eligibility of applicant and proposed expenses, and connection between project activities and objectives stated in the application guide. PlanH grants will not support work or projects that exploit any individual or groups. Communities are encouraged to reach out to grants@planh.ca to learn about the grant-making process and decision criteria or to set up a call. The Healthy Public Policy grant stream supports projects that:   Demonstrate multi-sectoral partnerships. Applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate collaboration with a range of diverse community stakeholders and health authorities through letters of support or written partnership agreements. Incorporate Equity. Equity is the fair distribution of opportunities, power and resources to meet the needs of all people, regardless of age, ability, gender or background. Applying an equity lens means asking who will benefit from a policy, program, initiative or service, but also who may be excluded from the benefits and why. Use upstream interventions and strategies that focus on improving fundamental social, physical and economic environments in order to decrease barriers and improve supports that allow people to achieve their full health potential. Are sustainable and build healthy communities that last beyond the duration of the grant period.
Links and Partnerships	Identification of key partners and stakeholders is required. Applications that demonstrate collaborative relationships with multiple organizations are in place will be prioritized. Additional partners and collaborations may be further developed as part of the project.

Reporting

Our team will schedule an onboarding call with Healthy Public Policy grant recipients to introduce ourselves and determine how we can best support your team. All grant recipients will be required to complete a final report at the end of the project. The questions in the final report are similar to the application form. Final report templates will be emailed to all successful grant recipients in September. You can find examples of final reports from previous years on the PlanH Grants FAQ.

Our team is committed to incorporating culturally safe practices into our evaluation approaches. We will strive to co-create relevant learning and reflection tools in partnership with communities whenever possible.

Communications Guidance

We ask that projects funded through the PlanH Healthy Communities grants include written acknowledgment of funding in materials produced as a result of PlanH. This includes publicity, conferences, meeting presentations, printed pieces or any other materials that are public and promotional in nature. Guidance on how to acknowledge PlanH Healthy Communities grants will be available on this page after the grants are awarded.

FAQs

Have a question? Visit the frequently asked questions page or get in touch via the contact information below.

Examples of past projects funded by PlanH can be found here.

Contact

If you have questions or require assistance please contact:
BC Healthy Communities Society
grants@bchealthycommunities.ca