Working on Wellness Environments
Working on Wellness Environments (WOW-E) is a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension multidisciplinary community development program

New Funding Opportunity: Recreation Economy for Rural Communities Planning Assistance

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Deadline:  Monday, November 22nd

Apply  here

Last week the EPA Office of Revitalization announced an invitation for communities to apply for Recreation Economy for Rural Communities planning assistance!  There will be a webinar on October 27th to share more information about the program and how to apply. More information and details (including a video featuring one of our pilot communities – Giles County, Virginia) are posted on the newly-updated RERC website!   https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/recreation-economy-rural-communities

CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Weekly Digest

America Walks Annual Community Change Grants

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It’s that time of year! America Walks annual Community Change Grants are now open for applications. This beloved program aims to provide support to our growing network of advocates, grassroots organizers, organizations, and agencies using innovative, engaging, and inclusive programs and projects to create tangible change at the community level.

They are looking to fund projects that:
• Increase physical activity and active transportation in a specific community
• Work to cross engage people and organizations newer to the efforts of walking and moving and walkability
• Demonstrate a culture of antiracism and inclusive health and design
• Support and cultivate connected, active and deeply engaged communities

Learn more at https://americawalks.org/programs/community-change-grants/

PeopleForBikes Grant Opportunity

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The PeopleForBikes Community Grant Program supports bicycle infrastructure projects and targeted advocacy initiatives that make it easier and safer for people of all ages and abilities to ride.

PeopleForBikes accepts grant applications from non-profit organizations with a focus on bicycling, active transportation or community development; from city or county agencies or departments and from state or federal agencies working locally. PeopleForBikes only funds projects in the United States. Requests must support a specific project or program – we do not grant funds for general operating costs.

PeopleForBikes focuses on most grant funds on bicycle infrastracture projects, such as:

  • Bike paths, lanes, trails and bridges
  • Mountain bike facilities
  • Bike parks and pump tracks
  • BMX facilities
  • End-of-trip facilities such as bike racks, bike parking, bike repair stations and bike storage

In addition, PeopleForBikes also fund some advocacy projects such as

  • Programs that transform city streets, such as Ciclovias or Open Streets Days
  • Campaigns to increase investment in bicycle infrastracture

PeopleForBikes will fund engineering and design work, construction costs including materials, labor and equipment rental and reasonable volunteer support costs. For advocacy projects, we will fund staffing that is directly related to accomplishing the goals of the initiative.

Application is due July 23, 2021. Find the grant opportunity here!

Explore the Grants Finder to see successful grants from past cycles.

T-Mobile Hometown Grant

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In a unique partnership focused on bringing vital connections to rural America, Smart Growth America is helping T-Mobile give one small community a prize package worth $3 million as well as millions in smaller grants for hundreds of other rural and small-town communities to reinvest in their downtowns, improve their quality of life, become more resilient, and improve their connections.

With a track record of providing scores of smaller towns a roadmap for achieving economic vibrancy over the years, Smart Growth Amerca will be helping the winner of the $3 million Hometown Tech over develop and implement a plan to enrich the town’s development – such as a place-based economic development plan, the restoration of a neglected downtown square, infrastructure improvements in a historic neighborhood, or investments in a community center.

Anyone can enter the contest at T-MobileHometownTechover.com before it closes on Friday, May 7, 2021. Just upload a photo or video of your town and tell T-Mobile what makes it special.

In addition to the big prize, T-Mobile will also be giving away $25 million to small communities over the next five years through hundreds of smaller Hometown Grants for all types of catalytic projects. If you are a local leader of almost any kind, nominate your town for a Hometown Grant here. The current round of applications is open from April to June, with winning towns announced in July.

Please let us know if you have any questions!

AARP Community Challenge

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Are you looking to improve your community’s pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure?

We have an opportunity for funding that you may be interested in! AARP announced a call for projects for the Community Challenge grant program. This program is part of the nationwide AARP Livable Communities initiative that helps communities become great places to live for residents of all ages.

The program is intended to help communities make immediate improvements and jump-start long-term progress in support of residents of all ages. Applications are accepted for projects to improve public spaces, housing, transportation, civic engagement, coronavirus recovery, diversity and inclusion, and more.

The application period is open until April 14, 2021. The Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Working on Wellness Environments team is able to provide pre-application assistance to community leaders if needed, in the following ways:

  • Walking through program criteria and guidelines
  • Identifying possible projects in the community
  • Assisting with basic planning steps and providing a broad cost estimate

*If chosen to move on to step 2 of the application process, we can help you identify relevant resources and contacts fo technical assistance.


Please contact Anna Stehling – Working on Wellness Environments Program Coordinator, via email at astehling5511@tamu.edu if you have any questions. If you want additional information and wish to schedule a zoom call to discuss the program’s opportunities, you can visit the calendly link below to select a meeting time.


https://calendly.com/astehling5511/aarp-community-challenge-grant

aarp.org/CommunityChallenge