REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Promoting physical activity and healthy eating to reduce the prevalence of obesity in Hawaii.
I. ABOUT THE HMSA FOUNDATION The HMSA Foundation s mission is to extend HMSA s commitment to providing access to cost-effective health care services; health promotion, education and research; and the promotion of social welfare. The Foundation looks at health in the broadest sense, thinking of health as an optimal state of well-being physical, emotional and social. The Foundation helps people and communities to reach their best potential by improving access to health care, eliminating barriers to health and health care, creating healthy environments, and supporting personal responsibility for health. For complete information about the Foundation s history, organization, grantmaking, and funding priority areas, visit www.hmsafoundation.org. II. PURPOSE OF THIS RFP The HMSA Foundation is extending this RFP to provide funding to promote physical activity and healthy eating to reduce the prevalence of obesity in Hawaii through school-based projects, community-based projects, and health care setting approaches. Issue Background Childhood obesity in Hawaii has been increasing dramatically and is a risk factor for diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and cancer. In 2002, 43 percent of Hawaii s population was overweight or obese, up 37 percent from 1990. Although Hawaii has consistently been below the U.S. average, the gap is narrowing. Currently over 20 percent of Hawaii s youth are overweight. Costs associated with obesity have been measured at $117 billion nationally. Healthcare costs for morbidly obese adults are nearly twice those of people considered to be of normal weight, according to a recent study. The study found that medical expenditures for morbidly obese adults in the year 2000 were 81 percent more than for normal-weight adults, 65 percent more than overweight adults, and 47 percent more than obese adults. The excess costs are due to greater spending on visits to the doctor, outpatient hospital care, inpatient care, and prescription drugs, according to researchers. Morbid obesity (defined as being 100 pounds or more over ideal body weight or having a body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher), is rising twice as fast as obesity (BMI greater than 30) in the United States. Between 1990 and 2000, the prevalence of morbid obesity increased from 0.78 percent to 2.2 percent, representing a total of over 4.8 million morbidly obese U.S. adults in the year 2000. If the number of morbidly obese Americans continues to increase over the next decade, total U.S. health care expenditures will likely continue to rise, according to the study. Morbid obesity is associated with a substantially increased risk of sickness and death from chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The researchers say further research is needed into specific interventions that will reduce the incidence and prevalence of morbid obesity and improve the health outcomes of morbidly obese individuals. People who are overweight are at increased risk for a host of health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, arthritis, Type 2 diabetes, and some can- 02
HMSA Foundation 03 cers. Increases in overweight and obesity in the U.S. have reached epidemic proportions. A recent report from the Office of the Surgeon General indicates that more than half of all adults and 11 percent of children and adolescents in the U.S. are estimated to be overweight or obese. See these links for a comprehensive overview of the issue: www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/ index.htm www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/ index.htm www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/nutrition. htm Increasing regular physical activity and healthy eating and creating environments that support these behaviors are critical to reducing obesity. Regular physical activity and healthy eating reduce risks for many chronic diseases. However, despite the positive benefits of regular physical activity, only 25 percent of American adults and 27 percent of high school students exercise regularly at a level likely to have health benefits. Further, a large gap exists between what Americans eat and recommended dietary intake. The HMSA Foundation hopes that resources committed to reducing and preventing obesity through this RFP can help facilitate program, policy and environmental changes designed to promote physical activity and healthy eating. Funding Focus The underlying focus of this RFP centers on creating and supporting systems that ensure individuals are successful in establishing and maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. Recognizing that choice is at the center of behavior change and that cultural, social and physical environments may present barriers to making healthy choices is paramount to the type of proposal that is being sought. This RFP is looking for innovative proposals that enable people to make sustainable healthy choices by increasing opportunities for and removing barriers to regular physical activity and/or healthy eating. We are particularly interested in school-based projects, community-based projects, and health care setting approaches. For example, those who receive awards might conduct the following core activities: Create a school environment that promotes healthy eating and active lifestyles. Conduct an assessment of the current policies and programs implemented in elementary and middle schools. Partner with external organizations to expand opportunities for physical activity before, during or after school. Encourage parents/guardians to participate in nutrition and activity programs. Collect baseline data and evaluate program success.
04 Funding Strategies What strategies work best to facilitate physical activity and healthy eating? The CDC recommends interventions that promote lifestyle changes, such as walking instead of riding in a car, climbing stairs instead of taking the elevator, eating more fruits and vegetables, and providing healthy food choices. Further, they suggest that program, policy and environmental changes must take place in those places or areas that impact daily living, such as: Schools Health care settings Worksites Parks and recreation facilities Restaurants Neighborhoods Grocery stores Communities This funding opportunity is designed to increase the likelihood of individuals making sustainable healthy choices by focusing on one or more of the following approaches: School-based projects A wide range of new or enhanced projects to create, test or enhance programs that encourage physical activity and/or healthy eating (i.e., health education curricula and sports and physical education programs). Community-based projects Projects that focus on improving or creating policies that promote physical activity and/or healthy eating (i.e., access to healthy foods and safe opportunities for physical activities). Health care setting approaches Projects that focus on cultural, social or physical changes in service or environment that facilitate healthy choices (i.e., prevention and management of overweight and obesity such employee wellness programs, staff education, and appropriate behavioral and/or weight management counseling and follow-up). Examples Grants in this program area are anticipated to be awarded for projects such as the examples below, listed by targeted sector. This is not an exhaustive list, but demonstrates the type of strategies in which the Foundation is interested. School and/or community: Modify school curricula and policies to increase the amount of time students spend in moderate to vigorous activity while in physical education class. Encourage individuals and organizations to work together to identify and create safe walking and bicycle routes to school. Promote collaboration between physical education and classroom teachers. Provide extracurricular physical activity projects. Coordinate physical activities with community agencies. Encourage and enable parental involvement in physical activity. Provide physical and social environments that encourage and enable physical activity. Worksite: Develop an employee wellness committee to lead a worksite project to promote healthy eating and moderate physical activity.
HMSA Foundation 05 Make stairwells visually appealing with art and signs to encourage their use by employees. Develop opportunities for employees to incorporate physical activity into the work day. Coordinate physical activities with community agencies. Proposed interventions should be well planned, designed to meet local needs, and likely to sustain. Interventions that are grounded in research or recommended by the CDC are encouraged. III. ELIGIBILITY Who can apply The following organizations are eligible for funding under this RFP: Organizations that demonstrate a taxexempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Organizations recognized as an instrument of state or local government. Eligibility note: Other Hawaii-based organizations/corporations that can demonstrate that the project for which they are requesting funding is for charitable purposes may be eligible. For more information, please contact the HMSA Foundation prior to submitting a proposal. Exclusions The Foundation will not accept proposals for the following: Ongoing general operating expenses or existing deficits. Capital and endowment campaigns. Fund-raising events. Programs that are not Hawaii-based. Individual medical care or support. Lobbying or political purposes. Support of organizations that practice discrimination. Memberships in health or fitness facilities. Construction expenses.* Fitness equipment.* *Special note: In most instances, these exclusions will apply. However, there may be special circumstances that allow limited exceptions. Please contact the Foundation prior to submitting a proposal that includes expenses for one of these (*) categories. IV. FUNDING GUIDELINES Funding Parameters We envision making grants of various sizes ranging from about $10,000 up to about $300,000. An award average or range is not being suggested for this RFP because the scope of projects to reduce the prevalence of obesity in Hawaii through the promotion of physical activity and healthy eating can vary significantly. However, we encourage you to contact the Foundation if you have questions about the appropriateness of the level of funding you are seeking. Also, please carefully consider a level of funding that positions the project for sustainability.
06 Length of Grants We encourage applicants to consider the long term, and to carefully consider sustainability of both the program and continued outcomes. Therefore, we will accept proposals that request three years of funding. No minimum limitation will be set on the length of the grant project, though it is anticipated most would be at least one or two years. The length of grant awards will be based on the time essential to the project strategy. Factors Considered in Funding Decisions Priority consideration will be given to projects that: Include realistic plans for long-term sustainability. Have clear, logical, realistic plans. Are led by strong, proven organizations and individuals. Already have support of key stakeholders (clients, community, intended partners, etc.). Leverage HMSA Foundation funds to acquire or match grants from outside Hawaii. Employ an innovative approach. Suggest opportunities for replication. Serve to build the organization s own capacity to continue its mission in the future. Build on current obesity prevention or reduction efforts. Are designed to initiate new efforts or test models that address this important health area. Are based on sound evidence or principles. Serve significant population groups. Establish or build on community coalitions, partnerships or collaborative efforts. Bring significant community resources (cash and in-kind contributions) to the project. Awards will be determined by the quality and strength of the case presented for the proposed strategies, the appropriateness of the HMSA Foundation as the source of funding and the availability of funding. V. HOW TO APPLY Applicants are encouraged to submit a one page letter of intent for initial review to help determine if a more detailed proposal is warranted. This one page letter will also help the HMSA Foundation provide technical assistance in the application process. We may be able to provide valuable feedback on the project before the complete proposal is written. Proposal Format Please help us process your response to this RFP by adhering to the following format order and guidelines. A proposal checklist is provided to help you ensure your proposal is complete. 1. Cover Page Complete the proposal cover page form and ensure that all requested information is provided. (DO NOT exceed this one-page format.) 2. Proposal Narrative The following components should be included in this order: Organizational Background Briefly describe the history and current activities of your organization, including your mission, founding date, major programs, and links with other organizations.
HMSA FOUNDATION 07 Proposal Details Please answer the following questions in detail: a. What is the general nature of your proposed project? b. How did you determine the need for this project? c. How is your proposed project relevant to the goal of reducing the prevalence of obesity in Hawaii? d. What are the broad goals of your project and the strategies you plan to use to achieve those goals? e. On what research/evidence are you basing your project strategies? f. Who is the target population that will be served by your proposed project and how many participants do you anticipate will be involved? g. How will your proposed project encourage a lifestyle change among your targeted population and how will that change be sustained? h. Who will direct the project and what are their qualifications? i. Are you proposing a new project or the continuation/expansion of an existing project? j. What other information about your proposed project would be important for you to share with those who review your proposal? Format note: The proposal narrative should be typed in 12-point font, single-spaced, with one-inch margins and be no more than five (5) single-sided pages. 3. Budget Complete (in detail) the onepage proposal budget form. Also attach a budget narrative in which you: 1) describe how you developed your budget; 2) provide appropriate itemization (as specified on the proposal budget form); and 3) address any budget items that require clarification. Please include documentation of all bids or quotes for products and/or services included in your proposal. 4. Evaluation Describe your plan for evaluating the success of the project. What questions will be addressed? Who will be involved in evaluating this work? How will the results be used? 5. Supporting Documents Include only one copy of the additional supporting documents: List and brief biographical sketches of key project staff. As appropriate to your type of organization: - IRS Letter of Determination. - Most recent Audited Financial Statement. - IRS Form 990. Limited additional attachments that will be helpful in demonstrating the merit of your proposal. Proposal Tips A good proposal follows common sense. Some of these tips may seem obvious, but it is surprising how often they are overlooked: If the proposal narrative is more than the requested limit of five (5) pages, it probably says too much. Succinctly state what you propose to do with a grant from the HMSA Foundation in the Project Description on the proposal cover page. Please give brief details, not language that echoes the HMSA Foundation mission statement or focus of this RFP.
08 Assume that the HMSA Foundation has no knowledge of your organization or project. Include precise data in your proposal narrative and emphasize what your organization plans to do. In other words, spend more time describing your solution than the issue. Avoid using technical or insider jargon. Take the time to prepare a detailed budget with exact costs, not just rounded off categories. This is often where reviewers look first to determine the scope of your proposed project and the thoroughness of your budget preparation. Be clear about outcomes that can be assessed and how the project will contribute to promoting physical activity and healthy eating. If you are unsure about whether your idea fits with the criteria outlined for this HMSA Foundation funding opportunity, please feel free to give us a call or send us an e- mail inquiry (meryam_leong@hmsa.com). Declinations Submission of a grant application does not guarantee receipt of an award. As the Foundation expects to receive more proposals than can be funded, some will be denied due to limited resources. Other proposals will not be funded because they are not a match to the intent of this RFP or are not well developed or presented. The Foundation will notify all applicant organizations in writing of the decision to deny a funding request. Application Process A complete proposal will consist of (1) original and one (1) copy of the complete proposal and one copy only of the requested supporting documents. You may staple or clip your documents together, but please do not put them in folders, binders or notebooks. Additionally, please do not apply via telephone facsimile (fax) or email. Deadline Received or postmarked by: Jan. 1 April 1 July 1 Oct. 1 Reviewed in: March June September December Note: If the date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will be the next working day. Please send proposals to: Mark L. Forman Executive Administrator HMSA Foundation P.O. Box 860 Honolulu, HI 96808-0860 All applicants will receive confirmation of the receipt of their applications and will be notified in writing regarding the outcome of their proposals. All decisions of the HMSA Foundation Board of Trustees will be final and all materials submitted for consideration will become the property of the HMSA Foundation and will not be returned to applicants. Reports Grantees will be expected to meet Foundation requirements for the submission of interim and final cumulative progress and financial reports, as outlined in the letter of agreement that will be sent to all successful applicants. Publicity The HMSA Foundation requires advance review before the publication or public release of any data or information related to projects funded in total or in part by the Foundation.
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