FLINT — HealthPlus of Michigan is now accepting applications from nonprofit organizations within its service area for its 2011 Rainmaker grant awards.
As part of its social mission and vision to build healthier communities, HealthPlus launched the Rainmaker program (named after Native American ‘Rainmakers’ who were revered as leaders who made good things happen) in 1994 to fund efforts by groups and organizations to improve community health status. More than 130 Rainmaker grants totaling more $700,000 have been awarded to health-focused projects in the HealthPlus service area since the program’s inception.
Grants are available to nonprofit organizations based in the counties of Arenac, Bay, Clare, Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Saginaw, Shiawassee, St. Clair and Tuscola and parts of the counties of Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Montcalm, Sanilac and Wayne.
This year, applications must focus on one or more of the following areas to be considered for funding:
Health of the Elderly
Aging/keeping healthy as we age
Health literacy/understanding health problems and recommended treatment
Prevention (diabetes, stroke, heart disease, arthritis, respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s disease, falling, etc.)
Promotion of regular physician visits
Mental/emotional health
Programs/projects that reduce unnecessary readmissions to the hospital
Health and nutrition of children
School-based initiatives to improve health and nutrition for children
Mental/emotional health of children
Health literacy/understanding health problems and recommended treatment
Use of pediatric primary care medical homes
Infant, children and youth health issues
To apply online, visit the HealthPlus website at www.healthplus.org and click on the “Rainmaker” link. Organizations that would like a paper copy of the application mailed to them should contact Carrie Treder at 810-230-2139.
Completed applications and supporting documentation must be received by 4 p.m., April 29. — G.G.
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