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5 Practical Tactics to Bring Free, Accessible Outdoor Wellness to Your Community
We know investing in outdoor wellness stems from community support, strategic planning and dedicated resources. Here at National Fitness Campaign (NFC), we work with national and state sponsors including leading healthcare organizations across the country to reduce the costs for communities nationwide to expand their wellness offerings. In partnership with municipalities, schools, and sponsors, over $100 million in public-private investment has been raised to help combat the burdens of sedentary lifestyles. We are grateful to offer hundreds of grants every year to support free, world-class outdoor fitness across the county.
Establishing a Fitness Court® and wellness programming amongst municipalities and schools is a transformative initiative, promoting health and wellness for adults of all ages, abilities and fitness levels. However, securing funding in addition to the NFC grant program for the project can pose challenges. Our team of experts at NFC has assisted over 500 municipalities in schools in securing necessary local funding, and is here to help you find solutions with practical steps to overcome funding obstacles and successfully bring the campaign to your community.
1. Internal Resources and Budgeted Funds
Many municipalities and schools find that once they receive qualification support from NFC, they are are able to raise the priority of outdoor fitness and wellness within their local leadership, and in many cases, councils and boards see the value in investing in programs like outdoor Fitness Courts, which require a modest local match in the context of larger infrastructure, health care and operational budgets. Each day, more and more leaders across the country are making wellness a priority and investing accordingly in the health and wellbeing of their community.
2. Explore Diverse Funding Sources
Relying on a single funding source can be risky. Instead, explore a variety of options, including:
- National Grants: Many organizations and government bodies offer grants for health and wellness initiatives. Research and apply for relevant grants. The NFC team can offer support to navigate opportunities at the federal level to optimize your community’s ability to secure additional support.
- State Level Grants: Along with healthcare sponsors across 20 states that provide additional grant funding to those participating states, NFC consultants can help support state-level grants for Parks and Recreation and other initiatives. Our experts are here to help support grant applications across all 50 states;
- Corporate Sponsorships: Partner with local organizations that align with health and fitness values and give back to the community.
- Crowdfunding: Leverage online platforms to gather small donations from a large number of people. Highlight the community benefits to attract contributions.
3. Build Strong Partnerships
Forming partnerships with local organizations, schools, and government agencies can enhance your funding efforts. Collaborative projects often have a higher success rate in securing funding due to the combined resources and shared commitment.
A good example takes us to the City of Grand Blanc, MI who capitalized on Priority Health and NFC grant funding as well as local sponsors and crowdsourced donations.
4. Present a Compelling Case
When considering bringing outdoor wellness infrastructure to your community, present a well-crafted proposal that clearly outlines:
- The Community Impact: Emphasize how outdoor Fitness Courts and wellness programming will improve public health, foster community engagement, and provide long-term benefits;
- Sustainability Plans: Detail how the project will be maintained and funded over time to ensure its longevity;
- Success Stories: Share examples of similar projects that have succeeded in other communities, highlighting the positive outcomes and community support they garnered.
The NFC team has deep expertise in supporting local funding development for conditionally awarded applicants, gained over learning experiences in hundreds of cities and schools.
5. Engage the Community
Building community support is crucial. Involve residents in the planning process, keep them informed about progress, and celebrate milestones together. A community that feels invested in the project is more likely to support it financially and through advocacy.
Gain valuable insight into the needs of your community by inviting them to provide input regarding outdoor fitness infrastructure and programs, and if they believe such initiatives are a good fit for your area. Sometimes sharing simple tools like this 3-minute video on social media can spark excitement and build local enthusiasm for bringing outdoor Fitness Courts to your community:
Conclusion
While securing funding can be challenging, a strategic approach incorporating diverse funding sources, strong partnerships, and community engagement can make the vision of a Fitness Court and wellness programming a reality. By demonstrating the tangible benefits and rallying community support, municipalities and schools can overcome financial obstacles and create lasting health and wellness opportunities for their residents.
Most communities find that once they have completed a successful application with NFC, there are enough best practices and resources available to support local funding needs through a variety of methods. NFC’s expert team is always available to discuss options and provide solutions, to ensure your community can benefit from bringing world class outdoor wellness programming and infrastructure to life.
