Two new grant initiatives came since my last post.

The first is very exciting - notice of a new Safe Schools/Healthy Students solicitation will be released on January 24, 2008, with a 3-month turn-around period. Several Minnesota districts have previously submitted applications. The 2007 solicitation is still available online and is not expected to be modified considerably. One of the interesting things in the current cycle is that grantees are required to include a logic model--see several Improve Group resources for information about this tool for managing your initiative and evaluation.

Healthy Together: Creating Community With New Americans is a grantmaking initiative by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota designed to reduce health inequities for immigrants and improve the health and vitality of communities in Minnesota. Applicants may propose projects related to one of the initiative’s three objectives: 1) Foster facilitated exchanges between immigrants and the receiving community, leading to greater social connectedness, healthier communities, and increased opportunities available for all. 2) Build the capacity and viability of immigrant-led organizations. The foundation invites Letters of Inquiry for one-year organizational development grants of up to $10,000 each. 3) Promote the mental health and social adjustment of new Americans.