Download Request for Proposal here.
Applications due June 1 to Katya Spear, knspear@mayorsinnovation.org.
We are excited to announce a small grant opportunity to improve children’s health and reduce health disparities in communities, in particular by supporting efforts that decrease neurotoxic exposures. We invite concise proposals from US cities to participate in this small grant program. The Mayors Innovation Project is partnering with Healthy Babies Bright Futures, an alliance dedicated to measurably reducing babies’ exposures to toxic chemicals that harm brain development, to administer this small grant program.
We know that this is an incredibly challenging time for everyone, especially local governments and the mayors that are leading them. Nevertheless, we are encouraged by the unprecedented amount of change and innovation happening in a very short period of time. While everyone’s main priority is addressing the current COVID-19 pandemic, cities across the country have found opportunities to innovate in times of crisis. We don’t have to ‘get back to how things were before’ – we can and should identify ways to re-imagine the services, policies and infrastructure that kept our communities inequitable and unsustainable. How can cities use this moment to embrace long-term thinking to improve children’s health and reduce health disparities?
Cities may propose a project across a range of issues affecting children’s health. Projects should meet the criteria of contributing to reductions in neurotoxic exposures in pregnant women and children under 2 years.
Examples include:
- Supporting equitable expansion of farmers markets (including virtual retail platforms);
- Planning for the transition to pedestrian-focused streets that improve health outcomes through active transportation and more equitable access to public spaces;
- Designing public education campaigns – including virtual infrastructure and equitable roll-out strategies – related to healthy housing in small and rural areas.
Greater consideration will be given to proposals that use this funding to leverage additional local funding in support of systematic change, responding specifically to needs highlighted by the COVID-19 crisis.
Applications are due June 1, 2020. Learn more and download the RFP here.
To submit your proposal or ask questions, please contact:
Katya Spear, Co-Managing Director, knspear@mayorsinnovation.org