Mayo Mini-Grants are offered to school districts

Mayo Clinic Health System is offering its School and Student Support Grant program, a program that seeks to improve the health of youth and families in northwest Wisconsin. The grant application is open to public and private K-12 schools in Chippewa, Eau Claire, Barron, Dunn and Trempealeau counties.

The grant supports innovative efforts, programs, outdoor environmental improvements, field trips and other learning opportunities, that directly benefit students and align with Mayo Clinic Health System’s values, and 2021 funding priorities.

Funding priorities include the following:

• Improving mental health, with an emphasis on strengthening community mental health services and suicide prevention, and supporting the resiliency across the lifespan.

• Preventing obesity and reduce chronic disease, with a focus on reducing food insecurity and increasing public access to physical activity.

• Reducing alcohol misuse and substance abuse, with an emphasis on engaging youth.

• Promoting equity, inclusion and diversity, with an em- phasis on advancing conversations in the community and engaging rural populations.

The grant is unable to support requests for sports teams; athletic competitions or camps; fundraisers, including runs, walks, etc.; individual student sole benefit; and individual staff sole benefit.

“We recognize the vital roles that schools play in all of our communities – supporting our children, families, economy and our future workforce,” said Jennifer Jorgenson, interim director for community engagement for Mayo Clinic Health System, Northwest Wisconsin Region. “Finding ways to support youth is an integral part of our mission, social responsibility and a core value of our organization.

With that in mind, Mayo Clinic is offering a funding opportunity to school districts, with a grant of up to $5,000 to use in the 2021-22 school year, toward effort that directly impact students. Awards are made for project or programs that demonstrate exceptional local significance, and impact to youth.

Those interested in applying for a grant can complete an online submission application by Sept. 30. Grants will be awarded and recipients will be notified by Oct. 31.

Further questions about the School and Student Support Grant can be directed to eucommunitygiving@mayo.edu.