Don’t let lack of funds stand in your way! Here are some methods that schools have used to fund our programs. All of these are explained further below:
Check with your principal, vice-principal, superintendent, school board, school food service director, health educator, nurse, or curriculum specialist to locate funds for nutrition and health education programs. Here are some school and community funding sources that schools often use:
- PTO and PTAs
- School Cultural Arts Funds
- BOCES
- School Food Service Programs
- USDA Funding: TEAM Nutrition, HealthierUS School Challenge
- USDA Free Fruit and Vegetable Program
- Community Foundations and Community Health Foundations
- Coordinated School Health Initiatives
- School Wellness Initiatives
- Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs
- Comprehensive Health Education Funds
- Fruit and Vegetable Campaigns
- Community Health and Wellness Grants
- Cultural Arts Councils (search by state)
- Arts-in-Education Funds (National, State, or Local)
- Partnerships with local chapters of associations such as American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association
The following organizations offer grants and/or list funding opportunities that are related to health and nutrition. Your school or organization may or may not qualify for these but we are listing them as a starting place for grant research. Note: this is not a comprehensive list.
These organizations are especially relevant for child nutrition and obesity prevention programs:
Love Your Veggies™ Grants – Hidden Valley®Grants are available for elementary schools to use for nutrition education and training, as well as to purchase produce and related needs. Apply online.
Team Nutrition – USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Team Nutrition Training Grants for Healthy School Meals provide funding to establish and enhance efforts related to improving school nutrition and school wellness.
Shaping America’s Youth
Provides links to organizations that provide funds for initiatives that may encompass child health issues.
The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools
Lists available grants dealing with their focus of strengthening the well-being of children and youth through health programs in schools.
Cabot Cheese Healthy Living Grants
Alliance for a Healthier Generation
More grant funding possibilities:
- Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs
- Physical Activity Programs
- Fruit & VegetableCampaigns
- School Wellness Initiatives
- Cultural Arts Councils (search by state)
- PTO/PTA Cultural Arts and Special Funds
- National, State, or Local Arts-in-Education Funds
- Comprehensive Health Education Funds
- Local Health and Wellness Grants
- Community Foundations
- Community Health Foundations
Find and apply for federal government grants on this site from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
School Grants
One-stop site for preK-12 school grants. Lists a variety of grant opportunities available to public and private nonprofit schools in the U.S., and provides grant writing tips.
Women Helping Others (WHO) Foundation
Provides funding for critical health and education projects that give women and children the knowledge and tools they need to improve their lives.
Grants for Arts Education
Supports model programs and projects that provide in-depth knowledge, skills, and understanding of the arts to children and youth in schools and communities.
Education World
Learn about current education grants, discover additional grant sources, and find grant-writing tips and resources.
Center for Weight and Health, UC Berkeley
Links to funding opportunities for weight and health related activities.
GrantsAlert.com
Information on education funding opportunities that will help teachers and schools.
Grant Wrangler
Free grants listing service for K-12 schools. Search for grants by keywords or subscribe to their e-newsletter.
Grant Gopher
Offers help to find available grants, including free and fee-based services.
Funds Net Services Online
A fundraising and grants directory.
We are committed to bringing our special brand of nutrition education to your children. Here are some ways to lower your costs:
- Help build a mini-tour in your area by contacting neighboring schools or working with your school district.
- Host a rehearsal show.
- Sign up for our “Blue Plate Special”! Receive a discounted program when we have a last-minute opening in your area.
Many local businesses or organizations are very interested in sponsoring our live shows because of the opportunity to make a dramatic and positive impact in their communities, directly reach large numbers of children and families with their message, and receive great publicity for their efforts. Our shows regularly attract wonderful media coverage, including positive recognition of sponsors!
We can provide you with our “Community Health Hero” packet, which contains materials you can use to encourage local businesses or organizations to sponsor these programs.
The following types of businesses and organizations might be especially interested in sponsorship opportunities:
- Banks
- Supermarkets
- Natural food stores
- HMOs/health care providers
- Hospitals
- Health insurance companies
- Restaurants
- Kiwanis, Junior League, and other civic organizations
- Churches, synagogues, and other religious organizations
- Youth clubs
- Child-focused businesses such as dance studios, fitness centers, toy and clothing stores, etc.
School fundraising can be easy, fun, healthy, and profitable. Check out these ideas:
- Sweet Deals: School Fundraising Can Be Healthy and Profitable (PDF):
This booklet from the Center for Science in the Public Interest provides concrete ideas for healthy fundraising. - Healthy Book Sales:
You can sell our new children’s book, Janey Junkfood’s Fresh Adventure!, and make money on each book for your school or organization. Contact us for details. - Farm Raisers (PDF):
Farm-raisers are an alternative fundraising method that brings healthy, farm-fresh foods to schools, raises funds for school programs, and supports local family farms. Farm-raisers raise school funds through the sale of fresh, local and healthy foods. - Greenraising:
A very easy way to sell earth-friendly products as a fundraiser for your school or non-profit. Buyers can shop online or with a catalog.
Please let us know how you’ve funded programs so we can spread the word!
