Funding Employee Wellness Programs: Grants, Eligibility & How to Apply

Imagine you run a mid-size or a small organization, and you know that your employees are your greatest assets. Your team needs a workplace wellness program that reduces stress, boost morale and keeps them heathy and productive. But there’s a catch to it: budgets are tight, and launching a wellness initiative can feel out of reach.

Sounds familiar? You are not alone. Many organizations face the same challenge- wanting to prioritize employee wellness but lacking the fund to make it happen. But that's where grants come in.

Wellness program grants are designed to help businesses like yours bridge the funding gap. Whether it’s mental health resources, fitness programs, or nutrition support, these grants can provide the financial lifeline you need to create a healthier, happier workplace.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the types of grants available, how to qualify, and tips to secure funding for a wellness program that transforms your workplace—and your employees’ lives.

Grants for Specific Types of Employee Wellness Programs

Grants for employee wellness programs often target specific areas of employee health, making it easier for employers to find funding that aligns with their goals. If you apply for the right grant, you can test out your business idea or increase the capabilities of an existing project.

Let’s take a closer look:

1. Mental Health Programs

Increasing workplace stress has made mental health a priority for employers. It's no wonder there are so many grants for mental health programs. You can use these grants to support counseling services, stress management workshops, and mental health awareness campaigns.

Some key providers include:

• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Focused on improving health and healthcare for all Americans.

• Cigna Foundation: Dedicated to enhancing health and well-being through community partnerships.

• Autism Speaks: Supporting solutions for people with autism and their families.

• Anthem Foundation: Investing in community health, including mental health initiatives.

• Peter & Elizabeth Tower Foundation: Providing mental health services for children, adolescents, and adults.

These organizations and others are stepping up to help employers create healthier, more supportive workplaces. Here are few more of such grants that are available :

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Grants.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Grants.

• Mental Health America (MHA) Workplace Mental Health Grants.

2. Physical Fitness Programs

A fit workforce is a productive workforce. Grants for physical fitness programs can fund activities like gym memberships, fitness challenges, and workplace ergonomics improvements. Getting your team moving is a big part of building a healthy workplace, and there are some great grants out there to help:

• The Oregon Community Foundation Helps fund wellness programs with its Nike Employee Grant Fund.

• NASPE: Offers support for sports and physical education programs.

• Lowe's Toolbox for Education: Funds community and school fitness projects.

• NFL Foundation: Backs youth football and other fitness initiatives.

These grants can make it easier (and cheaper) to keep your team active and energized.

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3. Nutrition Programs

Nutrition plays a vital role in employee health, and promoting healthy eating at work is just as important. Grants for nutrition programs help employers introduce healthy food options, offer nutrition workshops, or create weight management initiatives.

Luckily, there are plenty of grants and programs to support this too:

• Federal Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI): A coordinated effort by the USDA, HHS, and Treasury CDFI Fund to expand access to fresh, healthy food in underserved communities.

• USDA Programs: These include grants like the Community Food Projects Grant, Local Foods Promotion Program, Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (Gus NIP), and Rural Business Development Grants.

• State and Local Initiatives: Many regions and cities offer grants or loans to improve access to nutritious food in underserved areas.

• Foundations: Corporate foundations, especially those tied to health insurance or banking, often fund projects that promote better nutrition and public health. Many foundations, like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation or corporate health foundations, also focus on combating obesity and revitalizing communities.

4. Exploring Government, Private, and Local Grants

Grants come from various sources, each with unique benefits and application processes. These grants are a game-changer if your organizations want to boost workplace wellness, from mental health and fitness to nutrition.

1. Government Grants

When it comes to government support for wellness, the federal government offers a variety of grants to help businesses prioritize employee well-being. Often federal and state agencies provide robust funding for wellness programs. For example:

• Workforce & Training Business Grants: Supports schools and businesses to promote employee resilience and wellness.

• In-Kind Mental Health Training Grants: Provides training services for businesses to address mental health in the workplace.

• Grants for Hiring Previously Incarcerated Individuals: Encourages businesses to employ individuals transitioning back into society.

• Healthcare Workforce Grants: These funds programs to expand and diversify the healthcare workforce, such as nursing scholarships and behavioral health training.

• Grant Platforms: Websites like Grants.gov and resources from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provide easy access to these opportunities.

• Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program: These grants funds addiction medicine fellowship programs.

• Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Professionals: This grant funds programs to train behavioral health professionals.

• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): HHS is the largest grant-making agency in the US, supporting various health-related initiatives in states, territories, and tribes.

2. Private Foundation Grants

The private foundation sector is also important in funding employee wellness programs. Many of these foundations have specific focus areas and provide grants to organizations that align with their missions. They play a big role in funding wellness programs. Here are a few examples:

• REACH Healthcare Foundation offers grants up to $5,000 for wellness programming, employee celebrations, and support of rest and healing.

• CVS Health Foundation: Focused on improving access to healthcare through partnerships with community health organizations.

• UniHealth Foundation: Supports health-related programs and initiatives in Los Angeles County.

• The Commonwealth Fund: Funds research and policy initiatives to improve healthcare access, quality, and affordability.

3. Local Grants

Local grants cater to region-specific needs and are ideal for smaller organizations. To find these opportunities, consult your local health department, chamber of commerce, or community foundations.

• What are they?

Local government agencies or community organizations typically provide local grants to address specific regional health priorities, such as mental health, chronic disease prevention, or environmental health impacts.

• Who benefits?

These grants are ideal for smaller organizations that may struggle to compete for larger national grants and are designed to meet the unique needs of their communities.

• How do I find them?

Connect with local public health departments, economic development agencies, and nonprofits to explore opportunities. Research community-focused organizations and attend local workshops or networking events to stay informed about funding options.

Eligibility Requirements for Wellness Program Grants

Securing a wellness program grant requires careful consideration of eligibility criteria. Every grant program has its own requirements when it comes to determining eligibility. Although there isn't a universal checklist, certain elements are common to all grant applications. Here are some of the typical eligibility criteria you might encounter:

• Organization Type and Size: Grants may be specifically designed for nonprofits, small businesses, or organizations within certain industries.

• Employee Demographics: Some grants may have restrictions based on the number of employees within the organization.

• Geographic Location: Many grants prioritize local businesses and communities within a specific region.

• Program Focus: Funders often prioritize specific areas, such as mental health, physical fitness, nutrition, or chronic disease prevention.

• Employee Participation: Many grant applications require demonstrating strong employee engagement or a clear plan for ensuring high participation.

By carefully reviewing and addressing these eligibility criteria, organizations can significantly increase their chances of successfully securing funding for their wellness programs.

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How to Apply for Wellness Program Grants?

Securing a wellness program grant requires a well-structured and persuasive application. Here's a breakdown of key steps:

1. Write a Compelling Narrative For Your Organization

• Articulate your organization's mission, values, and how employee well-being aligns with its overall goals.

2. Develop a Detailed Program Description

• Outline the specific objectives of your wellness program.

• Describe the planned activities and initiatives in detail.

• Clearly define the desired outcomes, such as improved employee health. reduced absenteeism, and increased productivity.

3. Create a Comprehensive Budget

• Develop a detailed budget outlining how grant funds will be allocated across various program components.

• Be transparent and justify all budget line items.

4. Develop a Robust Evaluation Plan

• Explain how you will measure the success of your program.

• Outline the key metrics that will be tracked, such as employee participation rates, health outcomes, and return on investment.

• Describe how you will report program outcomes to the grant provider.

5. Provide Supporting Documentation

• Gather all necessary supporting documentation, such as letters of support from community partners, financial statements, and organizational charts.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Are Some Free Wellness Program Grants?

Some free wellness programs are CDC Workplace Health Grants and SAMHSA funding for mental health initiatives.

2. Are There Deadlines For Applying For Employee Wellness Program Grants?

Yes, deadlines do vary. The application deadline should always be checked. Applicants for wellness grants must have achieved at least 10% participation in the program, according to Washington counties Insurance Fund wellness program in its prior year unless it is the employer’s first time applying.

3. Can Small Businesses Apply For Employee Wellness Grants?

Yes, many grants are tailored specifically for small businesses.

4. What Are Some Challenges And Tips For Securing Wellness Program Grants?

Some of the Challenges include meeting strict eligibility criteria and crafting a compelling proposal. Tips: Start early, gather strong data, and seek expert advice.

5. What Is The Goal Of The Wellness Grant Program?

The goal of wellness grant program is to offer grants to organizations that aim to improve the quality of workplace experiences and well-being through innovative, scalable, and sustainable approaches.