JOHNSTOWN – 1889 Foundation and Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance (PRAA) have once again partnered to foster connections between the arts and health and wellness in Cambria and Somerset counties via the 1889 Foundation Creative Health Impact Grant (CHIG).

The grant application opens Friday, April 19 with the deadline to apply set for Friday, June 28.

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with the Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance on the Creative Health Impact Grant,” said 1889 Foundation President Susan Mann. “PRAA, under the direction of Becky Catelinet does a tremendous job promoting the arts. By combining the arts with a health and wellness component the grant becomes a viable option for organizations that may not normally have had programs with both focuses.  We are always very excited to see what innovative arts programs will be developed as a result.”

1889 Foundation supports innovative programs and initiatives and has identified six priority goals to improve overall health and wellness in Cambria and Somerset counties. The priority areas are:

  • Center for Population Health (CPH)/Community Care HUB
  • Social determinants of health
  • Mental and behavior health
  • Physical health and wellness
  • Childhood development
  • Medical education and training

To improve the overall wellbeing of our communities, the grant requires a strong arts component and an equally strong health/wellness component for project activities.

CHIG funding will be used to support local non-profit organizations that have health and wellness initiatives and have demonstrated results that have had an impact on improving the needs of the community.

Applicants must show collaborative approaches with quality partners (individuals or other non-profit organizations) who have the same principles and clearly define arts and healthcare partners.

Funded activities include but are not limited to exhibitions, performances, festivals, and continuing programs that relate to health and wellness.

Eligible organizations are those under section 501(c)3 or similar section of the tax code or fully accredited post-secondary educational institutions. Projects must take place in Cambria and/or Somerset counties. Multiple applications from one organization will be accepted if each application is distinctly different from the other application.

Well-established and new projects are eligible for the grant.

“Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance is delighted to partner with the 1889 Foundation again this year,” said PRAA Executive Director Becky Catelinet. “Community arts organizations know how valuable and important the arts are for a good quality of life in our region. We continue to learn about the need for strong health and wellness programs. The Creative Health Impact Grant combines both of these components to enable organizations to offer programming that greatly enhances our quality of living. Over the years we have seen wonderful projects emerge, and we look forward to more with this upcoming grant round.”

New applicants must schedule a meeting either in person or by phone with PRAA’s executive director to discuss the scope of the program or project. The meeting must be held no less than three weeks before the grant deadline of June 28.

Applicants who have previously applied are not required to hold a pre-application meeting; however, they should notify PRAA’s executive director of their intent to apply for the current year.

The PRAA Executive Director can be reached by email at director@praa.net or by phone at 724-840-5688 to set up a meeting or provide notice of your intent to apply.

Grant amounts will be based on quality and quantity of applications but will be between $1,000 and $6,000. The final grant award amount may be less than the requested amount based on application assessment.

For a more comprehensive overview of the grant and eligibility requirements, visit https://praa.net/1889-foundation-grant-program.