Spirit of Public Health Mini-Grant

The Spirit of Public Health Mini Grants is an initiative managed by the Three Rivers District Health Department in Kentucky, specifically targeting Owen County. The grant opportunity is promoted in collaboration with the Owen County Community Health Collaborative and is part of a broader community-driven effort to address public health concerns through local engagement and innovation. The 2025–2026 cycle marks the continuation of this initiative, building on past efforts to improve local health outcomes by funding creative and impactful projects from eligible community partners. This mini-grant program is intended to fund projects that directly align with the local priority areas identified in the Community Health Improvement Plan. Applicants are required to design their proposed projects to support these priorities, which include areas such as Physical Health Access, Nutrition Access and Health Literacy, and other community-specific health challenges. The focus is on fostering collaboration and encouraging grassroots solutions that enhance public health engagement across Owen County. Eligible applicants include groups, businesses, organizations, and collaborations that aim to enhance community involvement in public health within the county. This wide eligibility range supports diverse participation while ensuring all funded projects are deeply rooted in the community context and responsive to the county's specific health improvement goals. All proposals must align with one or more of the priority areas to be considered for funding. The program will fund projects up to a maximum of $3,500. While no minimum award is stated, the fund is designed to support smaller-scale but high-impact efforts. Funding may be used for a wide array of purposes including new materials, software or hardware purchases, training, supplies, equipment, or policy development—all of which must directly support the priorities defined in the Community Health Improvement Plan. The versatility in spending options allows applicants to tailor their approaches to local needs, whether through capacity-building tools or community education initiatives. Applications for the 2025 cycle are now open and must be submitted no later than August 15th. A link to the online application form is provided via Microsoft Forms. Applicants seeking more information or needing clarification are encouraged to contact Sarah Young at Sarah.Young@ky.gov. A FAQ document is available upon request to support applicants in understanding program requirements and ensuring proposal alignment with program goals. The grant does not specify recurring or rolling application windows beyond the current cycle, though it appears to be an annual offering. There is no indication of matching fund requirements, nor is information available about previous awardees. The program is managed locally and is therefore not available outside of Owen County. The emphasis remains squarely on empowering local entities to advance health equity and community wellness through tailored, priority-aligned interventions.