Reviewed by: Patience Itson
Need new equipment for your school? Don’t miss out on this $10K grant opportunity
Reading time: 5 minutes
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From upgraded PE equipment to innovative virtual reality fitness, the Be Healthy School Grants from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama provide up to $10K to take your school’s health and wellness programs to the next level. It’s easy to apply, and applications are open now through Sunday, July 16. Read on to see what schools have used their grants for in the past and how your school can be next.
$10K for your school
In 2012, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama decided to find a creative way to encourage children to increase their physical activity and nutritional eating through school-based programs. Enter the Be Healthy School Grants.
Each school year, these creative grants provide up to $10K to about 30 schools across Alabama to go towards any programs, equipment or education initiatives that make students healthier. Think school gardens, climbing walls, new walking tracks and more.
“We get a lot of positive feedback from the grants. When we talk to the teachers and students and hear how excited they are about it, it’s so rewarding. PE teachers are usually the ones that write them, but we’ve had STEM teachers, librarians, principals or even parents write the grant, as long as the school gets the funding.”
Tim King, Manager, The Caring Foundation & Corporate Giving
This year, there are some exciting new changes to the grant program. Now, all schools enrolling grades K-12 may apply, and schools can request adaptive equipment for their program.
“We’ve heard a lot of teachers who have students needing adaptive equipment to participate in PE programs, so that’s something we added in response. Additionally, we’ve heard from a lot of schools needing mental health programs, so if there’s anything we can do that helps schools address that, we try to listen.”
Tim King, Manager, The Caring Foundation & Corporate Giving
Help your school score programs it needs—apply for a Be Healthy School Grant today.
How one school put their grant to use
Barrett Elementary School, part of Birmingham City School District, were one of the recipients for the 2022-2023 Be Healthy School Grants.
How did they put their grant to use? Barrett expanded their PE program to include a new gym. PE teacher Byron Archibald explained that the gym will give students a look at what an actual gym looks like—complete with treadmills, cycles and boxing equipment.
“This is a game changer for us here. If it hadn’t been for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, we would not have an opportunity to even have this gym. We’re so excited that the students can take this opportunity and grow with it. Thank you so much, you’re really impacting kid’s lives here at Barrett Elementary.”
Tarja Lawson, Principal, Barrett Elementary
Meet more Be Healthy grant winners and see how your school can flourish.
Helping schools in need
As mentioned before, schools applying for the grant get to share which programs and equipment would be most beneficial for them. Over the years, Caring Foundation manager Tim King says he’s seen requests for everything from new playground equipment to virtual reality headsets that encourage fun exercise.
“You go to rural parts of our state and you’d be surprised—sometimes they’ve got a bare patch of grass and some old monkey bars and that’s it. It’s really rewarding to see rural schools—and even some urban schools that don’t really have a lot of resources—be able to get these grants for their students.”
Tim King, Manager, The Caring Foundation & Corporate Giving
If your school has struggled funding much-needed upgrades on health and wellness equipment, this grant can make a big impact. Since 2012, Blue Cross has awarded more than $2.6M in Be Healthy School Grants statewide, impacting over 134,000 students.
“Many schools receive funding that’s restricted on how they can use the money, so a lot of schools are really excited about this program. Sometimes they’re having to raise money from PTA to try and augment gym equipment and other needs. To hear schools express the gratitude for these grants is incredible.”
Tim King, Manager, The Caring Foundation & Corporate Giving
Apply today
Ready to apply? Make sure your school meets these qualifications:
- Located in Alabama
- Serve students in grades K-12
- Must be public or private school
Then, start applying! Applications are open now and this year, all schools enrolling grades K-12 may apply. Feel free to get creative, as long as your request addresses physical activity, nutrition and children’s health, it’ll be considered.
“We’re looking forward to this year with the addition of adaptive equipment and upper grade levels. We’re interested to see what the grants look like this year and how schools tailor them meet their needs. We’re looking forward to another good year with the program.”
Tim King, Manager, The Caring Foundation & Corporate Giving
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