Mayo Clinic Health System believes that health is more than the absence of illness. It includes an environment that supports the physical, emotional and social well-being of those who live, work and play there. In fact, studies show that many of the factors that have the greatest effect on health occur in the community.

Mayo Clinic Health System is pleased to offer Hometown Health Grants as part of its investment to improving the health of the communities it serves.

The grant supports innovative efforts that align with 2021 funding priorities to:

• Improve mental health with an emphasis on strengthening community mental health services and suicide prevention, and supporting the resiliency across the lifespan.
• Prevent obesity and reduce chronic disease with a focus on reducing food insecurity and increasing public access to physical activity.
• Prevent alcohol misuse and substance abuse with an emphasis on engaging youth.
• Champion equity, diversity and inclusion with an emphasis on advancing conversations in the community and engaging rural populations.

The grant works in partnership with community-based organizations and residents to translate their vision for healthy communities into visible, concrete changes and, ultimately, a healthier hometown. Grant recipients are engaged for an entire year and an outcomes report is required at the end of the funding cycle.

Submit a Hometown Health grant request.

Community partners in Barron, Buffalo, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pierce, St. Croix and Trempealeau counties are invited to apply for the Hometown Health grant.

Review eligibility guidelines below prior to submission. Funding requests should show a relationship to the health issues identified on the application. Please submit a W-9 tax form with the application (required).

Mayo Clinic Health System is accepting until April 30, 2021. Grant recipients will be notified the week of June 7, 2021.

Email Community Engagement with questions about Hometown Health Grants.

Eligibility

Eligible:

• Funding can be used to launch new projects and programs or improve programs that already exist.
• Lead applicant must have tax-exempt status according to the IRS.
• Must apply proposed program within the service area of Barron, Buffalo, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pierce, St. Croix and Trempealeau counties.

Not eligible:

• For-profit organizations
• Labor or fraternal groups
• Organizations whose philosophy or mission is not in alignment or contradicts the mission of Mayo Clinic Health System
• Political campaigns, candidates, parties or partisan activities
• Religious organizations for support of theological functions
• Youth and adult sports leagues
• Requests for:
  • Replacing funds already allocated or available in funded grants
  • Sole benefit of an individual
  • Capital campaigns
  • Endowment funds
  • Entry fees or pledges
  • Fundraisers
  • Projects that are a duplication of an existing service
  • Reimbursement of expenditures already incurred
  • Assistance with travel expenses and registration fees
  • Vehicles, buildings, professional dues, incentives, memberships and construction projects

Funded programs and initiatives in 2019 included:

• Benjamin's House Emergency Shelter: Rapid Rehousing Project, $25,000
• Bloomer/New Auburn Food Pantry: Food is Medicine, $10,000
• Boyceville School District: Coaching Trauma-Informed Resilience, $20,000
• Boys & Girls Club of the Chippewa Valley: Summer Brain Gain Programming, $15,000
• Feed My People: Healthy Meal Kit Program, $20,000
• Girls on the Run of the Chippewa Valley: Program Grown Initiative, $5,000
• Hope Gospel Mission: Renewed Hope Program for Women and Children, $25,000
• Legacy Community Center: Agnes Table, $25,000
• Stepping Stones of Dunn County: Pop-up Pantries, $10,000
• West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission: Improve Student Health through Walking and Biking to School, $25,000