By 1808Delaware
A community garden, a safer place to walk or new opportunities for residents to become more active can begin with a relatively modest investment. Delaware County organizations now have a fresh opportunity to secure that starting money.
The Delaware Public Health District is making up to $20,000 available through its Healthy Active Lifestyles Grant program. Announced Monday, the reimbursable funding will support local projects that encourage physical activity, improve access to nutritious food and help reduce chronic disease.
Turning local ideas into action
Schools, nonprofit organizations, local governments and community groups are among those encouraged to consider applying. Funding could support projects focused on prevention, education, access or physical improvements that make healthy choices easier for Delaware County residents. Past grant-supported efforts provide a sense of what that can mean on the ground. Previous projects have included community gardens, walking trails, park drinking fountains, an accessible kayak launch, outdoor fitness equipment and adaptive canoe seating.
Those projects differed in size and location, but each addressed the same basic question: What practical change would make it easier for people to eat well or remain active where they already live?
A timely health challenge
The funding announcement follows the August release of the county’s new 2026 Community Health Assessment. That report found that the percentage of adults diagnosed with high blood pressure increased from 29 percent in 2022 to 43 percent in 2026. The share diagnosed with diabetes rose from 8 percent to 13 percent during the same period. Meanwhile, the percentage reporting physical activity on one to three days during the previous week declined from 40 percent to 33 percent.
The grant program gives local organizations a chance to respond with projects tailored to individual neighborhoods and communities. A rural township, growing suburb and established city neighborhood may face different barriers, and the strongest proposals are likely to reflect those local conditions.
A new calendar for applicants
This funding round also begins earlier than previous cycles. The Health District announced in March that it was moving the process forward after past applicants said later schedules made planning, contracting and project launches more difficult. Awards for the 2027 cycle will be determined before the end of this year, allowing selected organizations to begin sooner.
Applications must be submitted electronically by Friday, October 16, at 4:00 PM. Organizations with questions about eligibility or program requirements should contact the Health District by October 2. Funding decisions are expected by December 11, and approved projects must be completed by November 1, 2027. Because the grants are reimbursable, applicants should review the financial and administrative requirements carefully while preparing their budgets.
The complete request for proposals and program information are available online, along with the electronic grant application.
Questions may be directed to Abbey Trimble at 740-203-2037 or atrimble@delawarehealth.org
