The community grants portion of ABFHA joins forces with local state associations and bottlers to provide matching grants for community non-profits to build on their work to enhance already existing physical and environmental health programs.  To date, the state associations community grant award program has funded 91 grants across 32.

One recent ABFHA community grant supported the Columbus Parks and Recreation Foundation in Ohio in its work to get more youth with physical disabilities involved in organized adaptive sports. The grant funds went towards purchasing the necessary equipment so that youth of all ability levels and ages can complete in a team sport, build confidence and learn teamwork.

Additionally, in 2012, ABFHA partnered with the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) to develop the Childhood Obesity Prevention Awards. In 2021, ABFHA and USCM expanded the successful grant program to include a component to advance the environmental health of communities while continuing to support those that address childhood obesity. 

The Childhood Obesity Prevention & Environmental Health and Sustainability Awards are given to mayors who have developed innovative and impactful programs to do just that.  Examples include programs that:

• Increase kids’ and families’ access to fresh fruits and vegetables through school and community gardens, programs that support farmers’ markets and free or low-cost fruit and vegetable distribution to those in need.
• Provide cooking and nutrition programs focused on teaching kids how to eat better as well as how to prepare healthy meals.
• Empower youth to engage in educating their peers and in the community decision-making process about issues that directly impact their health and wellbeing.

Every year six winning cities are selected to win the USCM awards. To date, ABFHA and USCM have awarded more than $4.3 million to fund valuable programs in 54 cities across the nation. One such program is the city of Atlanta’s Cooking with C.H.O.I.C.E.S. program which offers cooking workshops for children and their families to learn about nutritious meals.

We know we must play a role in improving public and environmental health of the communities where we all live, work and play, which is why we remain committed to supporting key programs through ABFHA grants. Together, we can work towards building a stronger, healthier America.