Funding available for community health projects

Funding available for community health projects

5 September 2012

New Zealand organisations running programmes that improve the health and well being of local communities are invited to apply for funding from the Medibank Community Fund (MCF).

The MCF supports grassroots initiatives throughout New Zealand and Australia that encourage healthy eating, physical activity or community connectedness. Grants are allocated regionally and vary in value depending on the project.

Medibank Community Fund Ambassador, Anna Soesbergen, says $60,000 in grants was provided in 2012 to six New Zealand projects, ranging from school breakfast programmes and community and school gardens to a horticultural training programme for at risk youth.

“The Community Grants programme is all about helping projects improve health at a local level, and we’re delighted to give a boost to projects that are making such an important contribution to their communities.”

For the 2013 funding round, programmes must address at least one of three criteria:
• healthy eating
• encouraging greater exercise
• greater community connectedness.

Application forms and the accompanying information kit for 2013 Medibank Community Fund Community Grants are available online from the Medibank Community Fund website, along with a summary of 2011 and 2012 grants.

Applications need to be completed and submitted electronically by midday on 7 December 2012. Grants will be announced by 1 May 2013.

About Medibank Health Solutions
Medibank Health Solutions NZ offers innovative and cost-effective health care services to business and government, including operating Healthline, a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week, health advice line provided on behalf of the New Zealand Government. In February 2012 Healthline took its 2.5 millionth call. Medibank Health Solutions NZ also operates a Mental Health Line for a number of District Health Boards and a number of other services, such as a Patient Access Centre for the Midlands Health Network. It provides home and community support services for ACC.

About the Medibank Community Fund
The Medibank Community Fund was set up by Medibank in 2011 to encourage people of all ages to live longer and in good health. Each year one percent of Medibank's pre-tax profit is invested in the fund to support four programme areas: partnerships, community grants, scholarship grants and donations. In 2011-2012, this resulted in around $3 million being directed to partnerships and programmes that encourage healthy eating, greater activity and more community connectedness.

ENDS

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