Health First Wellness Grants

Health First awards annual wellness grants to Brevard County-based nonprofit organizations working to improve community health and address health disparities.

Award Amount: Varies by organization; 2022-2023 cycle awarded $360,000 total to 12 nonprofits

Eligible Applicants:

• Brevard County-based nonprofit organizations
• Organizations addressing identified health disparities
• Community partners focused on wellness initiatives

Geographic Scope: Brevard County, Florida

Focus Areas:

• Basic health and wellness improvements
• Health disparities reduction
• Community health improvement
• Examples of funded initiatives:
  • WAYS for Life Brevard (wraparound services for teens/young adults to prevent homelessness)
  • Space Coast Blast sled hockey team (adaptive sports programs)
  • Streetside Showers (services for indigent residents)

Grant Philosophy:

• Grants intended to be "enterprising and invite expansive thinking"
• Focus on measurable results and outcomes
• Awards focus on disparities identified in Community Health Needs Assessment
• Directed by Community Health Improvement Committee (Health First leaders)

Recent Activity:

• October 2022: Awarded $360,000 to 12 community partners
• March 2023: 2023-2024 application period opened
• First quarter reports from grantees show measurable impact

Partners: Space Coast Health Foundation (Community Health Needs Assessment partnership)

Application Process

To Apply:

• Visit HF.org/wellnessgrants for more information and application

Evaluation Criteria:

• Measurable outcomes and results
• Focus on health disparities identified in Community Health Needs Assessment
• Strategic partnership potential
• Impact on community wellness

Application Review:

• Applications evaluated and approved by Community Health Improvement Committee
• Committee comprised of Health First leaders across the system