Community Wellness Mini Grants 

Learning how the community is keeping people well.

It is believed thousands of people in Placer County are getting their wellness needs met through their natural networks of family, friends, faith groups, and community groups, and are not accessing local government for deeper-end mental health services. Placer's Community Wellness Mini-Grants Program recognizes these natural networks and provides funding for the contribution community makes in keeping people well. The goal is to learn from, and build upon what these natural networks can provide through this program.

Size of grants

Placer Community Foundation has been contracted by the County of Placer to manage and administer the Community Wellness Mini-Grants Program on its behalf. Funding for this project is provided through the California Department of Mental Health, Mental Health Services Act.

In May of 2011 Placer Community Foundation awarded competitive grants to support community-based projects or programs that are helping to promote overall wellness among county residents. 

Examples of funding

Examples of projects or programs that work as non-traditional approaches to wellness included (but were not limited to):

• Community groups/activities such as book clubs, cooking classes, neighborhood centers, family-based or parenting groups, civic or cultural organizations
• Exercise or relaxation activities such as weight training, yoga, hiking, meditation, martial arts, sports teams
• Creative/expressive activities such as music, dance, writing, art, crafts, performance
• Faith-based/spiritual activities
• Any other venue or experience that leaves the participant with a sense of belonging and well-being
• Training to provide and lead group discussions/activities among peers

Who can apply

• Nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code; OR,
• Non-incorporated groups with a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor (these groups must partner with a qualified organization for fiscal management of the grant) may apply.
• If the applicant is a faith-based organization, it must demonstrate that it operates a social service program or activity that is open to the public.
• Government and education entities.
• One application per project will be accepted.

Application information

The application process for this program has closed.

Community Wellness Mini Grant Application (483 KB)

Important dates

• February 8, 2011 -- Application packet is released
• February 8 – 24, 2011-- Registration period for Technical Assistance Workshop
• February 24, 2011 -- Technical Assistance Workshop #1
• March 16, 2011 -- Technical Assistance Workshop #2
• April 7, 2011 (12:00 noon) -- Applications due to Placer Community Foundation
• June 3, 2011 -- Approximate date of announcement of awards
• June 10, 2011 -- Contracts are executed and 2011 grant checks distributed
• June 30, 2012 -- End of contract period