The Council is seeking proposals to provide funding for the development of new community wellness initiatives, improvement of existing community wellness programs, and/or collaboration between worksites and community wellness initiatives across the state of VT. The anticipated grant period will be 1/1/26 through 12/31/26.
Send proposals to info@vermontfitness.org
Background & Purpose
Exercise is Medicine (EIM) is a global health initiative led by the American College of Sports Medicine. EIM is committed to the belief that physical activity plays an integral role in the prevention, treatment and management of chronic diseases and should therefore be considered and promoted as a vital sign of health. EIM not only strives to integrate physical activity into healthcare but also seeks to link patients to community resources with the ultimate goal of implementing interventions that will slow, stop, and reverse the progression of chronic diseases.
Guided by the EIM initiative, the purpose of the Community Wellness grant is to offer funding assistance with the development of a new wellness program, improve an existing wellness program, or pursue new wellness initiatives that will have an impact on the health and well-being of community members within the state of VT.
Eligible Applicants:
• Community groups including recreation departments, faith-based groups, non-profit organizations, schools, community-based health centers
• Special consideration will be given to proposals that foster Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in physical fitness activities and sports, particularly for BIPOC and traditionally underserved populations.
Availability & Use of Funds:
A total of $8,500 is available for this award period, to be divided among all 2026 grant recipients. The total number of grants and amounts awarded will be based upon the number received and selected for funding through reviewer evaluations. The Community Wellness award is a one-time award that can be used to cover materials and personnel expenses related to the establishment or improvement of a wellness program, community program, or collaboration between a worksite and community that will have an impact on the health and well-being of community members demonstrated with measurable health objectives/outcomes. The Community Wellness award will not fund one-time events (i.e. blood pressure screening day) or equipment only requests (i.e. standing desks). Although several aspects of wellness (i.e. mental health, social well-being) will be considered for this funding mechanism special consideration will be given to those including physical activity as a primary component.
By encouraging and supporting healthy physical activity habits, community groups as well as collaborations between these groups and worksites have the potential to positively impact the health of their communities. Each community group or collaborating worksite and community group selected will have different goals for their wellness program, but they must have measurable outcomes with clear strategies for assessing these outcomes. The Vermont Healthy Community Design Resource provides guidance on developing programs and services that best address the physical activity needs and wants of your community.
Proposal Guidelines
This RFP defines the scope of work required which the chosen Grantee must operate. In order to be considered for selection, applicant must complete all responses to this RFP in the format described in this document. The Council reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals.
Proposals should include a goal, objectives, outlined strategies for meeting objectives as well as the measurable outcomes expected as a result of the proposed program.
Key Steps, Timeline, and Personnel
In order to successfully achieve the outlined objectives, proposals should include a program implementation plan and assessment schedule. In addition, the individual(s) responsible for each key step should be identified.
Sustainability
The Council seeks to fund programs that will continue to have a positive impact on community health and wellness beyond the award period. Proposals should outline a plan and identify individuals responsible for sustaining the program beyond the award period.
Reportable Outcomes
Chosen grantees will be required to submit a brief (no more than 2-page) final report to The Council. This report will provide The Council information regarding the impact of the program on the community, specifically the health outcomes, as well as the current and future, planned status of the program. Failure to submit a final report to The Council and/or significant deviation from the work plan outlined in the awarded proposal will make the grantee ineligible for any future grant opportunities. The final report will become part of The Council grant records.
Communication
Grantees may be contacted and asked intermittently during the award period by members of The Council for program updates, information, and/or photos. Any information and/or photos grantees are willing to share will only be used for promotional purposes by The Council and will not affect the award (funding).
Award Timeline
The Council schedule for this RFP and granting process is listed below. Please note that The Council reserves the right to adjust the schedule below as needed.
RFP published September 5, 2025
Proposals due November 7, 2025 at 5:00p.m. EST
Award Notification On or before December 1, 2025
Anticipated award start date January 1, 2026
Final Report due March 31, 2027
Proposal Submission & Deadline
Applicants will submit their proposal by email to: info@vermontfitness.org with “RFP Submission” in the subject line of the email. The closing date for the receipt of proposals is 5:00 PM Eastern Time on Friday, November 7, 2025.
The Council reserves the right to eliminate from further consideration any proposal deemed to be substantially or materially unresponsive to the requests for information contained herein. Please note that any and all pages of the Applicant proposal containing confidential and proprietary information must be clearly marked “Proprietary and Confidential.” After completion of this bid process, all proposal materials are in the public domain. Proposals may not be marked “Proprietary and Confidential” in their entirety.
Proposal Evaluation
A team of reviewers will determine if each proposal is sufficiently responsive to the RFP to permit a complete evaluation of the proposal. Proposals must comply with the instructions detailed below. Failure to comply with the instructions shall deem the proposal non-responsive and subject to rejection without further consideration. An example of a previously used proposal evaluation rubric is provided at the end of this RFP for reference.
Method of Award
The Council reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals. Upon completion of the evaluation process, The Council will select proposals based on the evaluations and within The Council’s pre-determined grant funding allotment for this RFP.
Proposal Format and Contents
Proposals should include a goal, objectives, outlined strategies for meeting objectives as well as the measurable outcomes expected as a result of the proposed program.
Goal: Broad, sweeping statement of what you would like to accomplish.
Objectives: Address how you are going to achieve your goals.
Strategies: Discuss activities you will do to reach your objectives.
Measurable Outcomes: Discuss the changes or results you expect as a result of your program and how you will evaluate these changes.
The proposal must be organized in the order outlined below. Headings in bold should remain in the proposal. Text beneath the bold headings can be deleted for proposal submission.
Applicant Checklist
Section 1: Applicant Information with contact details
Section 2: Work Plan with program description, purpose, need, goals, objectives, strategies, measurable outcomes, and a sustainability plan to continue or expand the program going forward
Section 3: Budget & Budget Justification with details about items and costs and justifications
For more information, and to submit proposals, contact info@vermontfitness.org