Healthy Together Now – Grant Intake Deadline February 1, 2024

Healthy Together Now (HTN) is a community-led, regionally coordinated, government-supported initiative to help prevent chronic disease in Manitoba. Communities within Prairie Mountain Health can apply for funds to implement programs focusing on healthy eating, physical activity, mental well-being and tobacco prevention and reduction. Grants are awarded for up to $5000 per organization.

Quarterly Intake Deadline Dates: May 1, August 1, November 1 and February 1.

Steps to take to create a successful grant application:

• Take time to read the funding guidelines. The approval committees prioritize grants that have strong partnerships, aim to support under-served populations (such as improving access) and have planning or input from the community and end user of the program
• Engage community partners. Partners can play a small (advertising) or significant role in the project (financial contribution, venue, staff time). 
• Contact a Health Promotion staff member. They can assist you in developing your project idea (see contact information at the bottom of the article)

Note: Applications that may have been approved for one area may not be funded in another area. The approval committees consider several factors when approving grants. 

To learn more, visit our Healthy Together Now page on the website.

Please enjoy learning about three successful projects from this past year!

Elbert Chartrand Friendship Centre in Swan River hosted a successful series of classes for pre and post-natal families using Healthy Together Now grant money. The Friendship Centre provided a healthy snack each week as parents learned from community partners who presented on Infant CPR, labour and delivery and Crisis Centre programs. Activities with literacy, Indigenous components, and hands-on cooking sessions promoted an interactive program. To continue learning at home, families received simple grocery items to create a snack or light meal with proteins, grains and various new and familiar fruits and vegetables.   Emma-Leigh Rusk, a facilitator, reported that the program was able to sustain the number of participants through the program and was pleased that fathers were drawn to attend as well. Partnerships and weekly feedback from participants also led to the success of this program.

The Brandon Men’s Resource Centre received HTN funding to expand healthy recreational activities for men and help them balance their minds, bodies, and spirits through physical activity, traditional teachings, cooking classes, and cultural activities. My favourite activities were playing bocce ball, learning how to fish, fillet and cook pickerel and attending a Powwow. Participants learnt new skills and met other like-minded men in a safe and positive space.

This past year, Neepawa and Area Settlement Services used HTN funding to provide cooking classes to new Canadians in the area. Participants learned healthy eating, meal planning and budgeting, and recipes using locally sourced and affordable ingredients while also learning English at the same time! Neepawa and Area Settlement Services partnered with the Neepawa Salvation Army Food Bank to ensure participants were aware of the services available and ensure recipes aligned with everyday food bank items. 

For more information, please contact one of the following Health Promotion staff members: