Grants available for Merced projects that promote health

Building Healthy Communities in Merced is opening a new cycle of community grants to fund projects that aim to promote healthier and safer families.

The BHC grants award up to $1,000 to individuals or groups that propose a community project that would benefit residents of Planada, Le Grand, south Merced and the Beachwood-Franklin areas.

The projects should aim to improve youth leadership and community involvement. They should also strive to foster learning and offer participants opportunities to gain skills.

According to BHC, qualifying programs can be health-related activities, educational trips or cultural arts projects. In the past, BHC has awarded grants for community youth sport tournaments, youth music lessons, community gardens and résumé-building workshops.

BHC Community Grants are awarded twice a year in two cycles: summer and winter.

Nonprofits, agencies, schools, faith-based organizations, student organizations and community residents are eligible to apply.

The deadline to apply is May 1. Applications can be found at www.bhcmerced.org and submitted electronically to BHC’s Outreach and Logistics Coordinator Isai Palma at isai@bhcmerced.org. Hard copies can be found at the United Way Merced County office, 658 W. Main St., Merced. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Recipients will be notified May 22.

This story was originally published April 2, 2015 at 6:49 PM with the headline "Grants available for Merced projects that promote health."