Vitalyst Health Foundation Awards $564,700 in innovation Grants
Vitalyst Health Foundation has partnered with the Arizona Community Foundation, the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona and The NARBHA Institute to award Innovation Grants totaling $564,700 to four Arizona projects. These grants will help build healthy communities around the state.
“Vitalyst’s Innovation Grants are awarded each year to support projects that use breakthrough approaches to address community issues,” said Suzanne Pfister, president and CEO of Vitalyst Health Foundation. “Each of our grant-funded partners has shown a thoughtful approach to improving community health by working with a broad coalition of partners to impact the root causes of health.”
2019 Innovation Grants were awarded to the following Arizona projects:
Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture received a $140,000 grant in partnership with the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona to support agricultural apprenticeships and a statewide campaign to pass legislation supporting young and beginning farmers, ranchers, foragers and gleaners at the state level.
Hushabye Nursery received a $155,000 grant in partnership with Arizona Community Foundation for a program that will help change the perception and treatment of expectant mothers with opioid use disorder.
Arizona Community Tree Council, Inc. received a grant for $124,700 to implement Park Rx which will encourage doctors and other care providers in two Phoenix communities to prescribe park time to patients and support park improvements — such as trees and benches to provide shade and seating — that have been identified by the community, as well as make recommendations to reduce barriers and improve access to the park.
Flagstaff Shelter Services received a $145,000 grant in partnership with The NARBHA Institute to help improve health and housing outcomes among people experiencing homelessness.
2018 Innovation Grant funded partners are Sonoran Prevention Works, Ndee Bikiyaa, Flowers and Bullets, and ACLU.
