We are not sure for which fund we should apply (Youth Development or Community Innovation). How should we choose?
Both funding categories are intended to help prevent and reduce youth tobacco, nicotine, and vaping product use across Virginia.
We expect that the organizations who apply for Youth Development are going to be working regularly with the same group of young people. Each program in VFHY’s Tobacco-Free Generation Curriculum Guide requires working with the same students over multiple weeks in order to be effective. Programs with expectations of regular attendance (schools, after school programs, early care and education programs, etc.) or with long-term mandated care (youth residential treatment facilities, etc.) would be good candidates. Programs where youth attendance is irregular or sporadic would likely not be good candidates.
Alternatively, Community Innovation is focused on developing and implementing community-wide strategies to reduce tobacco, nicotine, and vaping product use among a specific youth population. Organizations that have some experience working with young people and a strong connection to the community they serve are good candidates.
Can my organization apply for both funding categories (Youth Development and Community Innovation)?
No. Each applicant may only apply for Youth Development or Community Innovation, but not both.
If you currently receive funding from VFHY to support a Healthy Communities Action Team (HCAT), you are welcome to apply for one of the two Tobacco Use Prevention funding categories, but not both.
My organization has received Tobacco Use Prevention funding from VFHY in the past. Are there any changes we should know about?
If you have received funding in the past you will notice some differences in the upcoming RFP, which distinguish it from previous grant cycles. For one, we have changed the name Compendium of Programs, to the friendlier-sounding Tobacco-Free Generation Curriculum Guide. You will notice that the Curriculum Guide has many of the same programs listed in pervious years, along with some new ones that we are really excited about.
We have also added an additional fund that is aimed primarily at policy, systems, and environmental changes. There are a few other changes, which will all be described at the Pre-Proposal Conferences in January and February of 2021.
Do I have to attend a Pre-Proposal Conferences if I have received funding in the past?
Yes. Some information has changed since the last RFP. All organizations who intend to apply must send at least one-representative to a 90-minute Pre-Proposal Conference. Since this is mandatory, organizations who do not attend cannot be considered for funding.
I have never written a proposal before, or not one of this size. Should I apply?
We are looking for organizations who care deeply about the health of young people and who are strongly connected to the communities they serve. If this description fits your organization, we do not want your lack of experience to be a barrier.
We have a number of resources ready to support your application. We are hosting Pre-Proposal Conferences online, where we will walk you, step by step, through the application process. In addition, we are hosting two free grant writing workshops (February 4th and 5th) designed specifically for organizations who might be new to grant writing and/or lack dedicated development staff. Finally, we at VFHY are here to answer any questions you have. Our goal is to fund strong organizations who care about young people, and who are doing great work. If that sounds like your organization, we want to you apply.
I want to apply for funding, but I am concerned about carrying out the terms of the grant while remaining safe in the midst of COVID-19.
The safety of our youth, families, partners, and grantees is paramount. VFHY is working closely with all grantees to ensure that they have the flexibility and resources to make an impact while also remaining safe.
Most programs in the Tobacco-Free Generation Curriculum Guide have developed options for remote instruction (e.g., adapting content to digital platforms, sending content home through the mail, etc.) Likewise, the Tobacco-Free Generation Community Innovation Toolkit will include many strategies that de-emphasize person to person contact.
VFHY is committed to helping grantees meet the moment and respond to changing conditions on the ground. If conditions improve or worsen midway through the grant, we will allow grantees, within reason, to alter their programming accordingly. Please do not let the uncertainty around COVID-19 deter you from submitting an application. Now, more than ever, we need to empower youth across Virginia to make healthy choices.
I am thinking of applying, but I still have questions. What should I do?
If you have any questions about the grant process, your qualifications, your proposal, etc., please reach out to Director of Programs Michael Parsons at mparsons@vfhy.org.
If you are considering applying for Youth Development and have a question about a particular Tobacco-Free Generation Curriculum Guide program, please reach out to Training and Resource Manager Charlie McLaughlin at 804-786-2279 or cmclaughlin@vfhy.org